Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s27.t4.9

c23.s27.t4.9

Reference to self-governing village councils like *ampalam*, *potiyil* and *maṉṟam* in Caṅkam literature and to merchant guilds (*nigama*) in the Tamil-Brāhmī records show that there was a long tradition of strong local self-government in the Tamil society. In such an environment, literacy would have received special impetus as it would serve to strengthen local self-government institutions and merchant guilds.