Historical Boundaries

 Tamilakam  can be defined as the region with the following boundaries:

  • Eastern boundary: West of Bay of Bengal
  • Western boundary: East of Deccan, i.e., Eastern Ghats till it joins the Western Ghats and then the Western Ghats
  • Nothern boundary: South of Pennar river
  • Southern boundary: North of Kanyakumar and Indian Ocean 

Tamilakam can be divided into these zones:
  • Northern Tondaimandalam: Pennar to Palar river
  • Southern Tondaimanadalam: Palar to Pennai river
  • Nadu Nadu: Pennai river to Kollidam/Kaveri 
  • Kaveri Delta: Region around Kaveri. Also referred to as Cholanadu
  • Pandiya Nadu: Madurai, Vaigai basin and the far southern regions. 
  • Kongu Nadu: Inland western region that covers modern Coimbatore 

Note that classical Tamilakam technically also contains Cheranadu that is to the west of western ghats. 




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