Kongu Nadu
Encyclopedia
Kongu Nadu is a region comprising the western part of the Tamil Nadu
India. The region is bounded on the west and north-west by the Karnataka state, on the west by the Kerala state, on the east by Tondai Nadu
, on the south-east by Chola Nadu
and on the south by Madurai
regions of Tamilakam
.
Kangayam is the old capial of Kongu Nadu, (Sanskrit: Ganga+eyam = Gangeyam : seat of the Western Ganga Dynasty. Kongu means in Sangam Tamil 'border
'. A more appropriate meaning is honey or nectar of flowers as the Kongu country had vast stretches of forests. According to V. Ramamurthy, in his 'History of Kongu: Volume 1' says, "It [Kongu] was believed to be rich in honey or nectar of flowers."
.
Being the origin and seat of the Sangam period Cheras
, the area is otherwise known as Chera
Nadu. Chera
is also referred to as Kongan many times. His mountains are the Kolli Malais and his seat Karuvur
on the banks of Anporunai
.
The geographical region is called Kongunadu in Tamil, which is derived from Kangu (கங்கு) (Komaralingam copperplates) and Kanganadu (கங்கநாடு, lit.: the land of the Ganga people).Kangeyam
(Sanskrit: Ganga+eyam = Gangeyam : seat of the Western Ganga Dynasty). This region was located within Kaveri catchment basin
. 17th century poet Valasundara Kavirayar refers to the borders of Kongunadu in his work Kongumandalasatakam.
Kongu Nadu has the highest urban
proportion in the State and contributes 2/3 of the Tamilnadu's State revenue.
The Kongu people were the first to set up a territorial state in the South Indian history. The History of ancient Kongunadu is linked invariably to the history of Kongu Vellalars(Gounders), a high/dominant caste of Tamil
feudal lords and landlords. Kongu Gounders are Kshatriyas originally of the Kosala
(கோசர்கள்) country who migrated in prehistoric times to Kanchipuram
, then through Madukkarai formed the Kongu Nadu. The present day Kongu Nadu is made up of various regions viz., Coimbatore
, Erode
, Salem, Tirupur
, Kangeyam
, Ooty, Gobichettipalayam
, Pollachi
, Udumalai, Palani
, Dharapuram
, Karur
, Namakkal, Thiruchengode, Dharmapuri
, Krishnagiri
and parts of Tiruchy and Dindigul
.
Kongunadu was blessed with enormous wealth, a pleasant climate and distinct features. Kongunadu was ruled over by The Chera, Chola, Pandya, Hoysala, Muslim rulers and finally the British. The Kongu country was one of the earliest territorial divisions and home of the ancient Tamilians. It figures in the earliest Tamil literature that, it has acted as the pass for foreign powers to penetrate or capture the Tamil country. The people of the Kongu country had preserved a characteristic type of culture which seemed to be the sustainable derivation of early "Tamilians"of the south. The puzzling megalithic culture had been widely in vogue in the Kongu country. In earlier times the Three Sovereigns of the Tamil country were the Cheras, the Cholas, and the Pandyas. There is a mention that the victory over the Kongu country to be one of the greatest events in their war-like annals. The history of the Kongu country was an integral saga and was of great value for the compilation of the history of Tamilnadu as a whole.
in the Coimbatore district
, were situated on the ancient trade route between Karur and the west coast, across the Palghat gap on the Western Ghats. Both sites have yielded remains belonging to the Sangam age. Roman coins were also founde on these sites indicating that trade flourished between Romans and the kings of these regions.
A sword bit and a dagger piece found at the site were put to metallographic
test. The study revealed that the sword bit contained a spheroidal graphite phase and forgewelding of high carbon cutting edge on low carbon dagger bit. A thin layer was found coating the cutting edge and probably used to protect it from rust.
Kodumanal was popular for the gem-cutting industry and manufacture of jewels. Sites bearing natural reserves of semi-precious stones such as beryls, sapphire and quartz are located in the vicinity of Kodumanal. Beads of sapphire, beryl, agate, carnelian, amethyst, lapis lazulli, jasper, garnet, soapstone and quartz were unearthed from here. The samples were in different manufacturing stages – finished, semi-finished, drilled and undrilled, polished and unpolished and in the form of raw material. Chips and stone slabs, one with a few grooved beads, clearly demonstrate that these were manufactured locally at Kodumanal
Tamil-Brahmi writings are also found in coins, seals and rings of the Sangam age. Many of them have been picked up from the Amaravathi river bed near Karur. A smaller number of inscribed objects have been picked up from the beds of other rivers like South Pennar and Vaigai.
"The advent of the early historical period in south India is generally dated to the 3 rd century BCE. As mentioned earlier.recent archelogical data from the site of Kodumanal suggests the possibiliaty of earlier beginnings, at least the 4th century BCE."
A musical inscription in Tamil Brahimi was found in a cave in the Arachalur
region, dating from the Fourth Century A.D. Iravatham Mahadevan
writes that these are syllables used in dance.
1. Achyuta Rayan;(Venadudayar family : அச்சுதராயர் )
2. Jatavarman Kulottunga cholan?;
3. Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan;
4. Kok-kalimurkha Vikrama cholan;
5. Kokkanadan Viranarayanan;
6. Kulottunga Cholan;
7. Maravarman Sundara Pandyan;
8. Nanjarayan;
9. Parakesari Vikrama cholan;
10. Rajakesari Kulottunga cholan;
11. Rajakesari Vira Narayana devan;
12. Rajakesari Vira Pandyan;
13. Rajakesari Virarajendran;
14. Vira cholan;
15. Vira Pandyan;
16. Vira Somisvaran;
17. Vira Vallalan
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
India. The region is bounded on the west and north-west by the Karnataka state, on the west by the Kerala state, on the east by Tondai Nadu
Tondai Nadu
Tondai Nadu is a historical region located in the northernmost part of Tamil Nadu. The region comprises the districts which formed a part of the traditional Pallava kingdom...
, on the south-east by Chola Nadu
Chola Nadu
Chola Nadu is a region of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. It encompasses the lower reaches of the Kaveri River and its delta, and formed the cultural homeland and political base of the Chola Dynasty which ruled most of South India and parts of Sri Lanka and South-East Asia between the 9th and...
and on the south by Madurai
Madurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
regions of Tamilakam
Tamilakam
' refers to the classical era territory of old South Indian royalties covering modern Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Tamil Eelam and southern parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka.; In an academic context, Tamilakam is used to refer to these territories as a single cultural area, where Tamil was the natural...
.
Etymology
There is no definite origin for the word Kongu, several scholars have given their views. The name Kongu Nadu is believed to have been gained from 'Kongadesam', "Konga" a derivant of the term "Ganga", meaning 'land of the Gangas' see Western Ganga Dynasty.Kangayam is the old capial of Kongu Nadu, (Sanskrit: Ganga+eyam = Gangeyam : seat of the Western Ganga Dynasty. Kongu means in Sangam Tamil 'border
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
'. A more appropriate meaning is honey or nectar of flowers as the Kongu country had vast stretches of forests. According to V. Ramamurthy, in his 'History of Kongu: Volume 1' says, "It [Kongu] was believed to be rich in honey or nectar of flowers."
Geography
The geographical extent of Kongu Nadu is roughly confined to the territories of the ancient TamilakamTamilakam
' refers to the classical era territory of old South Indian royalties covering modern Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Tamil Eelam and southern parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka.; In an academic context, Tamilakam is used to refer to these territories as a single cultural area, where Tamil was the natural...
.
Being the origin and seat of the Sangam period Cheras
Chera dynasty
Chera Dynasty in South India is one of the most ancient ruling dynasties in India. Together with the Cholas and the Pandyas, they formed the three principle warring Iron Age Tamil kingdoms in southern India...
, the area is otherwise known as Chera
Chera dynasty
Chera Dynasty in South India is one of the most ancient ruling dynasties in India. Together with the Cholas and the Pandyas, they formed the three principle warring Iron Age Tamil kingdoms in southern India...
Nadu. Chera
Chera dynasty
Chera Dynasty in South India is one of the most ancient ruling dynasties in India. Together with the Cholas and the Pandyas, they formed the three principle warring Iron Age Tamil kingdoms in southern India...
is also referred to as Kongan many times. His mountains are the Kolli Malais and his seat Karuvur
Karur
Karur is a large town and a municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of Amaravati. Karur district was formed on 30 September 1995 by trifurcating Tiruchirappalli district. It is the administrative headquarters of Karur District. Karur has a very long...
on the banks of Anporunai
Amaravati River
The Amaravati River is a tributary of Kaveri River in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu state, South India. It is continuation of the Pambar and Chinnar rivers in Kerala.-Route:...
.
The geographical region is called Kongunadu in Tamil, which is derived from Kangu (கங்கு) (Komaralingam copperplates) and Kanganadu (கங்கநாடு, lit.: the land of the Ganga people).Kangeyam
Kangeyam
Kangeyam is a Municipality in Tirupur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kangeyam was the capital of Kongu Nadu for many centuries. Kangeyam is situated in the heart of the Tirupur district. Kangayam is situated in the meeting point of NH 67, SH 37 and SH 205-Member of Parliament:Mr.A...
(Sanskrit: Ganga+eyam = Gangeyam : seat of the Western Ganga Dynasty). This region was located within Kaveri catchment basin
Kaveri River
The Kaveri , also spelled Cauvery in English, is a large Indian river. The origin of the river is traditionally placed at Talakaveri, Kodagu in the Western Ghats in Karnataka, flows generally south and east through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and across the southern Deccan plateau through the...
. 17th century poet Valasundara Kavirayar refers to the borders of Kongunadu in his work Kongumandalasatakam.
Economy of the Kongu region
The Kongu region mainly in the following fields/industries.- AgricultureAgricultureAgriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
- the whole of Kongu Nadu - Textiles - TirupurTirupurTiruppur pronounced as is a textile city located on the banks of Noyyal River. It is also called Dollar city. It is the administrative headquarters of the Tiruppur district. It forms a part of the ancient Kongu Nadu region of South India, where its people were the first to establish territorial...
, CoimbatoreCoimbatoreCoimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
, ErodeErodeErode is a city, a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Erode district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula, about southwest from the state capital Chennai and on the banks of the rivers Cauvery and Bhavani, between 11° 19.5"...
, KarurKarurKarur is a large town and a municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of Amaravati. Karur district was formed on 30 September 1995 by trifurcating Tiruchirappalli district. It is the administrative headquarters of Karur District. Karur has a very long...
, TiruchengodeTiruchengode-Location:Tiruchengode is in south India in the state of Tamil Nadu, approximately 18 km from the City of Erode, 44 km from Salem, and 35 km from Namakkal.-Major Occupations:...
, PerunduraiPerunduraiPerundurai is a Town Panchayat and taluk in Erode district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on National Highway 47, which bye-passes the city of Erode from here, between Salem and Coimbatore....
, GobichettipalayamGobichettipalayamGobi or Gobichettipalayam is a Municipality in Erode District of Tamil Nadu state, India. A major part of present Gobichettipalayam was previously known as Veerapandi Gramam, and documents and records still use that name. Gobichettipalayam is an important city in the North- Western part of Erode...
, ChennimalaiChennimalaiChennimalai popularly known as the 'Handloom Town' is in Erode district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.-Geography:Chennimalai is located at . It has an average elevation of 320 metres .-Demographics:...
, Salem - White silkSilkSilk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
- GobichettipalayamGobichettipalayamGobi or Gobichettipalayam is a Municipality in Erode District of Tamil Nadu state, India. A major part of present Gobichettipalayam was previously known as Veerapandi Gramam, and documents and records still use that name. Gobichettipalayam is an important city in the North- Western part of Erode...
- first automated SilkSilkSilk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
reeling unit in IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. - PoultryPoultryPoultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes and the family Anatidae , commonly known as "waterfowl"...
- Namakkal - EducationEducationEducation in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
- CoimbatoreCoimbatoreCoimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
, ErodeErodeErode is a city, a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Erode district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula, about southwest from the state capital Chennai and on the banks of the rivers Cauvery and Bhavani, between 11° 19.5"...
, GobichettipalayamGobichettipalayamGobi or Gobichettipalayam is a Municipality in Erode District of Tamil Nadu state, India. A major part of present Gobichettipalayam was previously known as Veerapandi Gramam, and documents and records still use that name. Gobichettipalayam is an important city in the North- Western part of Erode...
, Namakkal, Salem. - Automobiles - CoimbatoreCoimbatoreCoimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
, Namakkal, , ErodeErodeErode is a city, a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Erode district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula, about southwest from the state capital Chennai and on the banks of the rivers Cauvery and Bhavani, between 11° 19.5"...
, Salem, KarurKarurKarur is a large town and a municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of Amaravati. Karur district was formed on 30 September 1995 by trifurcating Tiruchirappalli district. It is the administrative headquarters of Karur District. Karur has a very long... - PaperPaperPaper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....
- KarurKarurKarur is a large town and a municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of Amaravati. Karur district was formed on 30 September 1995 by trifurcating Tiruchirappalli district. It is the administrative headquarters of Karur District. Karur has a very long...
, PallipalayamPallipalayamPallipalayam is a sub-urban town in Namakkal district, India. It is located across the city of Erode, besides the Kaveri River. It falls under Tiruchengode sub-district and Komarapalayam Legislative Constituency and Erode Parliamentary Constituency. The panchayat was constituted in the year 1963,... - MilkMilkMilk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
and Edible oil - ErodeErodeErode is a city, a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Erode district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula, about southwest from the state capital Chennai and on the banks of the rivers Cauvery and Bhavani, between 11° 19.5"...
, KangeyamKangeyamKangeyam is a Municipality in Tirupur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kangeyam was the capital of Kongu Nadu for many centuries. Kangeyam is situated in the heart of the Tirupur district. Kangayam is situated in the meeting point of NH 67, SH 37 and SH 205-Member of Parliament:Mr.A...
, DharmapuriDharmapuriDharmapuri is a town and the administrative headquarters of Dharmapuri district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 65 km north of Salem. Dharmapuri is a part of the Kongu Nadu an ancient division of Tamilakam. It is one of the ancient towns of Tamil Nadu and a rapid developing...
, Salem - TurmericTurmericTurmeric is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is native to tropical South Asia and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive...
- ErodeErodeErode is a city, a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Erode district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula, about southwest from the state capital Chennai and on the banks of the rivers Cauvery and Bhavani, between 11° 19.5"...
(largest market in South IndiaSouth IndiaSouth India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
), GobichettipalayamGobichettipalayamGobi or Gobichettipalayam is a Municipality in Erode District of Tamil Nadu state, India. A major part of present Gobichettipalayam was previously known as Veerapandi Gramam, and documents and records still use that name. Gobichettipalayam is an important city in the North- Western part of Erode...
. - PumpPumpA pump is a device used to move fluids, such as liquids, gases or slurries.A pump displaces a volume by physical or mechanical action. Pumps fall into three major groups: direct lift, displacement, and gravity pumps...
and Wet grinderWet grinderA wet grinder is a grinder used with water. Wet grinders have a wide application in industry, workshops, and commercial and domestic kitchens throughout Africa and Asia...
- CoimbatoreCoimbatoreCoimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India".... - SagoSagoSago is a starch extracted in the spongy center or pith, of various tropical palm stems, Metroxylon sagu. It is a major staple food for the lowland peoples of New Guinea and the Moluccas, where it is called saksak and sagu. A type of flour, called sago flour, is made from sago. The largest supply...
- Salem - SteelSteelSteel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
- Salem - TamarindTamarindTamarind is a tree in the family Fabaceae. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic .-Origin:...
- DharmapuriDharmapuriDharmapuri is a town and the administrative headquarters of Dharmapuri district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 65 km north of Salem. Dharmapuri is a part of the Kongu Nadu an ancient division of Tamilakam. It is one of the ancient towns of Tamil Nadu and a rapid developing... - Vegetables - OddanchatramOddanchatramOddanchatram is a Municipality in Dindigul district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the base of the western ghats in South India. It lies on the highway between Madurai-Coimbatore and Dindigul-Palani. It has a population of more than 40,000, with considerable migrant population...
, DharmapuriDharmapuriDharmapuri is a town and the administrative headquarters of Dharmapuri district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 65 km north of Salem. Dharmapuri is a part of the Kongu Nadu an ancient division of Tamilakam. It is one of the ancient towns of Tamil Nadu and a rapid developing...
Kongu Nadu has the highest urban
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
proportion in the State and contributes 2/3 of the Tamilnadu's State revenue.
Kongu Nadu Cuisine
The Kongu Nadu cuisine is basically a collection of exotic recipes being created by the people residing in the Kongu region. The cuisine is quite extensive for a simple reason that the region is very vast. Some of the aspects that make Kongu Nadu cuisine very special are:- The recipes have their own nativity and style.
- Unlike other cuisines, Kongu Nadu cuisine does not involve marination of any raw material. As a result the food has a different taste and unique texture.
- Addition of roasted groundnut paste in curries and Khormas creates a very different flavour
- Turmeric is always added into curries as freshly grated and ground after roasting. This gives the product a deep yellow color and an aromatic substance
- Kongu Nadu cuisine is not very oily, which is not the case with other cuisines
- The cuisine is healthy and nutritious owing to use of considerable amount of pulses
- The recipes had no sort of standardization and the recipes found their origin based on the specialty of that particular city of Kongunadu.
- This is evident from the following instances:
- Use of copraCopraCopra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
(dry coconut) due to the abundance of coconut trees in the region. - Pickles happens to form an important part in the food
- The traditional Kongu people were mostly vegetarians for religious reason. The word for a slaughterhouseSlaughterhouseA slaughterhouse or abattoir is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food products.Approximately 45-50% of the animal can be turned into edible products...
is Kacāppu kaṭai , where kacāppu was borrowed from "butcher", because Muslims were the first to butcher for commercial purposes. Beef is tabooTabooA taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
; cows are considered divine. - Sweets like Teluvu Halwa,Teluvu Payasam, Elanir Halwa, and Elanir Payasam formed part of the regular food in Kongu Nadu."Vaalai" is a type of sweet made with the basic ingredients rice, karupatti (Palm Jaggery) and cloves again thanks to abundance of coconut and palm trees.
- Use of copra
History
The Kongu people were the first to set up a territorial state in the South Indian history. The History of ancient Kongunadu is linked invariably to the history of Kongu Vellalars(Gounders), a high/dominant caste of Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
feudal lords and landlords. Kongu Gounders are Kshatriyas originally of the Kosala
Kosala
Kosala was an ancient Indian region, corresponding roughly in area with the region of Awadh in present day Uttar Pradesh. According to the Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya and the Jaina text, the Bhagavati Sutra, Kosala was one of the Solasa Mahajanapadas in 6th century BCE and its cultural and...
(கோசர்கள்) country who migrated in prehistoric times to Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
, then through Madukkarai formed the Kongu Nadu. The present day Kongu Nadu is made up of various regions viz., Coimbatore
Coimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
, Erode
Erode
Erode is a city, a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Erode district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula, about southwest from the state capital Chennai and on the banks of the rivers Cauvery and Bhavani, between 11° 19.5"...
, Salem, Tirupur
Tirupur
Tiruppur pronounced as is a textile city located on the banks of Noyyal River. It is also called Dollar city. It is the administrative headquarters of the Tiruppur district. It forms a part of the ancient Kongu Nadu region of South India, where its people were the first to establish territorial...
, Kangeyam
Kangeyam
Kangeyam is a Municipality in Tirupur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kangeyam was the capital of Kongu Nadu for many centuries. Kangeyam is situated in the heart of the Tirupur district. Kangayam is situated in the meeting point of NH 67, SH 37 and SH 205-Member of Parliament:Mr.A...
, Ooty, Gobichettipalayam
Gobichettipalayam
Gobi or Gobichettipalayam is a Municipality in Erode District of Tamil Nadu state, India. A major part of present Gobichettipalayam was previously known as Veerapandi Gramam, and documents and records still use that name. Gobichettipalayam is an important city in the North- Western part of Erode...
, Pollachi
Pollachi
Pollachi is a taluk of Coimbatore Rural district of the Tamil Nadu state of India. It lies in the southern part of the Coimbatore city around 40 kilometres from downtown Coimbatore. This is the second largest town in the District after Corporation of Coimbatore. Owing to the proximity to the...
, Udumalai, Palani
Palani
Palani is a city and a municipality in the Dindigul district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located about 100 km South of Coimbatore City and 60 km west of Dindigul...
, Dharapuram
Dharapuram
Dharapuram is a town and a municipality in the Tirupur district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Dharapuram one of the Oldest Town in Tiruppur District. Dharapuram, then known as Rajarajapuram was the capital of Kongu Nadu under Kongu Cholas. The Amaravathi River flows through the ancient...
, Karur
Karur
Karur is a large town and a municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of Amaravati. Karur district was formed on 30 September 1995 by trifurcating Tiruchirappalli district. It is the administrative headquarters of Karur District. Karur has a very long...
, Namakkal, Thiruchengode, Dharmapuri
Dharmapuri
Dharmapuri is a town and the administrative headquarters of Dharmapuri district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 65 km north of Salem. Dharmapuri is a part of the Kongu Nadu an ancient division of Tamilakam. It is one of the ancient towns of Tamil Nadu and a rapid developing...
, Krishnagiri
Krishnagiri
-Tourism:Thousands of visitors visit Krishnagiri each year. Majority come from Hosur/Bangalore and Chennai. KRP dam constructed in 1960's during the rule of the then Chief Minister Kamaraj located near the town, is a nice picnic spot. Nearby, Sayed Basha hills has a fort that was the fortress of...
and parts of Tiruchy and Dindigul
Dindigul
Dindigul is a town and municipality in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. The name Dindigul comes from the Portmanteau of “Thindu” meaning pillow and “kal” meaning Rock and refers to the bare hill dominating the city’s both land and skyscape...
.
Kongunadu was blessed with enormous wealth, a pleasant climate and distinct features. Kongunadu was ruled over by The Chera, Chola, Pandya, Hoysala, Muslim rulers and finally the British. The Kongu country was one of the earliest territorial divisions and home of the ancient Tamilians. It figures in the earliest Tamil literature that, it has acted as the pass for foreign powers to penetrate or capture the Tamil country. The people of the Kongu country had preserved a characteristic type of culture which seemed to be the sustainable derivation of early "Tamilians"of the south. The puzzling megalithic culture had been widely in vogue in the Kongu country. In earlier times the Three Sovereigns of the Tamil country were the Cheras, the Cholas, and the Pandyas. There is a mention that the victory over the Kongu country to be one of the greatest events in their war-like annals. The history of the Kongu country was an integral saga and was of great value for the compilation of the history of Tamilnadu as a whole.
Archaeological sites
Kodumanal and Perur, villages on the banks of the Noyyal RiverNoyyal River
The Noyyal River rises from the Vellingiri hills in the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, southeastern India and drains into the Kaveri River. The river's basin is long and wide and covers a total area of . Cultivated land in the basin amounts to while the population density is 120 people per km² ...
in the Coimbatore district
Coimbatore District
Coimbatore District is one of the more affluent and industrially advanced districts of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Coimbatore is known as the Manchester of South India. It one of the most industrialized towns of Tamil Nadu. It has the highest GDP among the districts of Tamil Nadu, even ahead...
, were situated on the ancient trade route between Karur and the west coast, across the Palghat gap on the Western Ghats. Both sites have yielded remains belonging to the Sangam age. Roman coins were also founde on these sites indicating that trade flourished between Romans and the kings of these regions.
A sword bit and a dagger piece found at the site were put to metallographic
Metallography
Metallography is the study of the physical structure and components of metals, typically using microscopy.Ceramic and polymeric materials may also be prepared using metallographic techniques, hence the terms ceramography, plastography and, collectively, materialography.-Preparing metallographic...
test. The study revealed that the sword bit contained a spheroidal graphite phase and forgewelding of high carbon cutting edge on low carbon dagger bit. A thin layer was found coating the cutting edge and probably used to protect it from rust.
Kodumanal was popular for the gem-cutting industry and manufacture of jewels. Sites bearing natural reserves of semi-precious stones such as beryls, sapphire and quartz are located in the vicinity of Kodumanal. Beads of sapphire, beryl, agate, carnelian, amethyst, lapis lazulli, jasper, garnet, soapstone and quartz were unearthed from here. The samples were in different manufacturing stages – finished, semi-finished, drilled and undrilled, polished and unpolished and in the form of raw material. Chips and stone slabs, one with a few grooved beads, clearly demonstrate that these were manufactured locally at Kodumanal
Tamil-Brahmi writings are also found in coins, seals and rings of the Sangam age. Many of them have been picked up from the Amaravathi river bed near Karur. A smaller number of inscribed objects have been picked up from the beds of other rivers like South Pennar and Vaigai.
"The advent of the early historical period in south India is generally dated to the 3 rd century BCE. As mentioned earlier.recent archelogical data from the site of Kodumanal suggests the possibiliaty of earlier beginnings, at least the 4th century BCE."
A musical inscription in Tamil Brahimi was found in a cave in the Arachalur
Arachalur
Arachalur is a panchayat town in Erode district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 25 miles from Erode. Good villages - Elevanatham is the first good village in the list.Its nearbye of 8 km from arachalur.:Demographics...
region, dating from the Fourth Century A.D. Iravatham Mahadevan
Iravatham Mahadevan
Iravatham Mahadevan is an Indian epigraphist, specializing on the Indus script and Early Tamil epigraphy.-Biography:Iravatham Mahadevan was born in 1930 in a Smartha Tamil Brahmin family of Thanjavur district. He was born in British Burma where his father Iravatham was practising as a...
writes that these are syllables used in dance.
Medieval Kongu King List
In Chola times. 'Kongu under autonomous rule narrates the rule of these rulers under the namenclature 'Kongu Cholas'1. Achyuta Rayan;(Venadudayar family : அச்சுதராயர் )
2. Jatavarman Kulottunga cholan?;
3. Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan;
4. Kok-kalimurkha Vikrama cholan;
5. Kokkanadan Viranarayanan;
6. Kulottunga Cholan;
7. Maravarman Sundara Pandyan;
8. Nanjarayan;
9. Parakesari Vikrama cholan;
10. Rajakesari Kulottunga cholan;
11. Rajakesari Vira Narayana devan;
12. Rajakesari Vira Pandyan;
13. Rajakesari Virarajendran;
14. Vira cholan;
15. Vira Pandyan;
16. Vira Somisvaran;
17. Vira Vallalan
Sources
- Dr. Nagaswamy Roman Karur http://tamilartsacademy.com/books/roman%20karur/cover.html
- Tiruppur Kumaran (Chennimalai-Erode)
- Kongudesarajakkal, Government manuscript Library, Chennai
- Dheeran Chinnamalai by Pulavar Dr. Rasu.