Pandya Nadu was one of the earliest territorial divisions of the ancient
Tamilakam, the home of the
Tamil people at least from the 6th century BCE. The region is home to many
neolithic and
megalithic settlements. The archaeological sites of
Adichanallur and
Korkai are one of the oldest Iron Age settlements in Tamil Nadu with
radiocarbon dating assigning the locations to the 9th century BCE. Other historical sites like
Keezhadi have been dated to 6th century BCE by the ongoing excavations by the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.
During the Sangam Age Between the 3rd century BCE and 3rd century CE, the region was ruled the
Sangam Pandyas with Madurai and Korkai as their capitals. The period produced the beautiful Tamil
Sangam literatures which provides a clear window to the life of Tamil people of the age. Under the Sangam Pandyan rule, the region served as one of richest locations in India with its extensive involvement in maritime trades with
Southeast Asia and the Western world. The Pandyan pearls, fished from the
Gulf of Mannar and the Pearl Coast, were found to be of the highest quality and were adorned by the people of the
Roman Empire. Literacy was also widespread in this region during this time owing to the found presence of the most number of
Tamil Brahmi rock inscriptions and pot sherd markings.
Under the Kalabhras The region entered a dark period (with reference to absence of records) in history with the end of the 3rd century BCE. The three crowned Kings of Tamilakam were displaced by the
Kalabhras during this time and the region experienced a huge boom of
Buddhist and
Jain activities.
Under the Republic of India The region was part of the Madras State under the newly independent India, which was subsequently renamed Tamil Nadu. The region of
Kanniyakumari was transferred to Tamil Nadu. The region now comprises the districts of
Madurai,
Dindigul,
Theni,
Sivaganga,
Ramanathapuram,
Virudhunagar,
Tirunelveli,
Tenkasi,
Thoothukudi,
Kanniyakumari and
Pudukkottai (South of Vellar). == See also ==