The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c19.5

c19.5

The first of these three dynasties was the southernmost, extending over the present Tinnevelly and Madura districts; the Keralas ruled the western districts; the Cholas the eastern and the central districts, now known as Mysore. Originally the latter had their capital at Uraiyûr, the modern Trichinopoly.¹ In the early centuries of the Christian era, and probably long before that time, the southernmost point of India was a place of pilgrimage for Brahmans from Benares.² In very remote times Southern India came into contact with the West through its great maritime trade. Gold and silver, pearls, coral and precious stones, pepper and other spices were sent by way of the Red Sea ports and the Nile to Alexandria. Pliny complained of the drain upon the resources of the Roman Empire on account of the wealth which went to pay for these luxuries. One of the Pândyan kings sent embassies to Augustus at Rome, and Græco-Roman mercenaries were employed in the armies of the Tamil kings.¹