🏛️ Political Structure: A Network of Monarchies and Feudatories Monarchy and Power Dynamics South Indian kingdoms followed the traditional hereditary monarchy system. This means kingship usually passed from father to son—or sometimes to a brother. But remember: power was centralised at the top, with the king as the supreme authority, assisted by a council of…
By the end of the 12th and early 13th centuries, the political landscape of Deccan and South India underwent significant changes. The old powers like the Western Chalukyas and Imperial Cholas had declined, and their fall gave rise to four major regional kingdoms: The Four Major Kingdoms (Early 14th Century) Dynasty Capital Region Ruled Yadavas…
To understand the Imperial Cholas, we need to travel back in time—first to the Sangam Age, and then fast-forward to the 9th century CE. Sangam Cholas 🧠 Note: The connection between ancient Sangam Cholas and the Imperial Cholas is not clearly established in historical records. 🏰 Rise of the Chola Empire (850–1279 CE) The story…
A dynasty that laid the cultural foundation of Tamil Nadu and built enduring architectural wonders. 🔁 Historical Background: Rise from the Ashes of Sangam After the glorious Sangam Age, a dark cloud hovered over Tamilakam. By late 3rd century CE, the once-prominent Chola, Chera, and Pandya dynasties had faded, and a relatively obscure group called…
🏛️ Rise from Feudatory to Empire Imagine a mid-level officer in a powerful empire suddenly deciding he no longer wants to just serve; he wants to rule. That’s how Dantidurga, once a feudatory of the Chalukyas of Badami, rose to power. In 757 CE, he defeated Kirtivarman II, the last Chalukyan king, and established independence,…
Let’s now dive into one of the most powerful dynasties of early medieval Deccan — the Chalukyas of Badami, who ruled from 543 CE to 757 CE. Before we get into names and dates, let’s understand one crucial thing:The Chalukyas didn’t suddenly emerge as emperors. Like many Indian dynasties, they started small, as feudatories under…
🪙 Backdrop: Post-Gupta Political Fragmentation Let’s begin with a key historical transition.By the 6th century CE, North India had entered a phase of political fragmentation — the mighty Gupta Empire, often called the “Golden Age” of ancient India, had declined. Now, whenever a large empire like the Guptas collapses, it leaves behind a power vacuum….
Let us now take a journey into Tamilakam, the ancient land of the Tamils, where poetry wasn’t just literature—it was life itself. What is Sangam? The word Sangam literally means assembly or confluence—in this context, it refers to a grand literary gathering or academy (Tamil Sangam) where learned poets, philosophers, and scholars came together to…
Introduction to Sangam Polity The Sangam Age (circa 300 BCE to 300 CE) represents the earliest phase of Tamil history — a rich era known for its flourishing literature, structured political systems, and maritime trade. The political structure, though ancient, was remarkably organized and dynamic, with unique features that reflected both royal authority and regional…
As we move deeper into the Sangam Age, the political landscape of South India was dominated by three major kingdoms — Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas — collectively known in Sangam literature as the Muvendar, meaning “Three Chiefs.” These kingdoms were located in the region south of the Krishna River, primarily covering modern-day Tamil Nadu and…
