The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c31.s2.6

v1.c31.s2.6

Long before the beginning of the Christian era the Dravidian South had developed a considerable culture of its own, and its inhabitants had consolidated themselves into powerful kingdoms, some of which carried on a thriving trade with Western Asia, Egypt, and later with the Greek and Roman empires². The chief of these were the three Tamil kingdoms, the Andhras, Kaliṅgas, and Mahārāshṭra.