Question

Discuss the sources available to know about Tamil cities.

Answer 1

1. Tamil literature, accounts of foreign travellers and archaeological finds provide information about the ancient towns of Tamizhagam.
2. Sangam Tamil Literature Pattinappaalai and Tamil epics Silappathikaram and Manimegalai have references about Poompuhar.
3. Madurai is proudly associated with three Sangams.
4. The fame of Madurai can be attested from the accounts of the Greek historian Megasthenes.
5. Chanakya mentions about Madurai in his famous work Arthashastra.
6. The Chinese Traveller Hieun Tsang writes about the greatness of Kanchi.
7. Poet Kalidasa refers to Kanchi as the best of the towns.