[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.25 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.25 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.25 - **Language:** English ### [c5.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.25) The name of Agastya holds a great place also in Tamil literature, and he is “venerated in the south as the first teacher of science and literature to the primitive Drāvidian tribes;” so says Dr. Caldwell, who thinks “we shall not greatly err in placing the era of Agastya in the seventh, or at least in the sixth century B.C.” Wilson also had previously testified to the same effect: “The traditions of the south of India ascribe to Agastya a principal share in the formation of the Tamil language and literature, and the general tenor of the legends relating to him denotes his having been instrumental in the introduction of the Hindu religion and literature into the Peninsula.” - [Previous: c5.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.24) - [Next: c5.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.26) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.25) · Pramāṇa