Historical Heritage of the Tamils

Contents: I. Introduction: Lemurian Theory. II. Tamil literature as a source material of history: 1. The Sangam. 2. Quasi-historical literature. 3. Classical literary works--their direct and indirect value for the historian. 4. Chronological background. 5. The religious works. 6. The modern epoch. III. Narrinai in its historical setting: 1. Political history. 2. Porayan. 3. Cholas. 4. Tittan. 5. Chola chiefs. 6. The Pandyas. 7. Independent chieftains. 8. Madalerutal. 9. Marriage. 10. Parattayar. 11. Standards of moral conduct. 12. Diet. 13. Dress and decoration. 14. Games and amusements. 15. Festivals. 16. Occupations. 17. Customs. 18. Religion. 19. Superstitions. 20. Conclusion. IV. Inscriptions of Tamil Nadu and their historical value: 1. The inscriptions of the Pandyas. 2. The Dalavaipuram plates of Viranarayana. 3. The Sivakasi plates of Vira Pandya. 4. The Kudumiyamalai inscription. 5. Chola inscriptions. V. The Brahmi inscriptions of South India and the Sangam Age. VI. Aryan influence in Tamilaham during the Sangam epoch. VII. Origin of Muruga worship. VIII. The temple as a culture centre: 1. Decline of the position and service of the temple. IX. The Bhakti Movements in Tamil Nadu: 1. Saivisim. 2. The "New Bhakti Cult" of South India. 3. The Bhakti Cult in North India. 4. Sufism. Date of Manikkavachagar. Index.