Tamilakam, the name of the ancient Tamil country, included besides Tam

Tamilakam, the name of the ancient Tamil country, included besides Tamil Nadu parts of present day:

Andhra Pradesh and Kerala

Karnataka and Kerala

Kerala and Odisha

Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2021

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Tamilakam, as described in ancient Tamil literature (especially the Sangam literature period), broadly encompassed the geographical region inhabited by the ancient Tamil people. This region included not only present-day Tamil Nadu but also significant parts of present-day Kerala, and bordering regions of southern Karnataka and southern Andhra Pradesh. Option B, including Karnataka and Kerala, represents two major areas outside of modern Tamil Nadu that were considered part of ancient Tamilakam.

The historical region of Tamilakam was home to the three major Tamil kingdoms of the Sangam Age: the Cheras (primarily in modern Kerala), the Cholas (in the Kaveri delta and surrounding regions), and the Pandyas (in the southern parts). Its boundaries were dynamic but generally extended beyond the political boundaries of present-day Tamil Nadu.

The ancient Tamilakam was bordered by the Venkata hill (Tirupati hills) in the north, the Arabian Sea in the west, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Bay of Bengal in the east. While parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were included, Kerala was a central component of Tamilakam, housing the Chera kingdom, one of the major Tamil dynasties.

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