The history of Tamil Nadu and the civilisation of the Tamil people are
among the oldest in the world. Throughout its history, spanning from
the early Palaeolithic age to the modern time, this region has
coexisted with various external cultures. Except for relatively short
periods in its history, the Tamil region has remained independent of
external occupation. The three Tamil dynasties of Chera, Chola and
Pandya were of ancient origins. With the decline of the three ancient
dynasties during the fourteenth century, the Tamil country became part
of the Vijayanagara Empire. Under this empire the Telugu speaking
Nayak governors ruled the Tamil land. The brief appearance of the
Marathas gave way to the European trading companies, who began to
appear during the seventeenth century and eventually assumed greater
sway over the indigenous rulers of the land. The Madras Presidency
comprising of most of southern India was created in the eighteenth
century and was ruled directly by the British East India Company.
After the independence of India, the Tamil Nadu state was created
based on linguistic boundaries.
Read the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tamil_Nadu
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1789:
French Revolution: The Estates-General convened in Versailles to
discuss a financial crisis in France.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estates-General_of_1789)
1862:
Mexican troops led by Ignacio Zaragoza halted a French invasion in the
Battle of Puebla.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Puebla)
1949:
The Council of Europe was formed.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Europe)
1950:
Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned in Bangkok as King Rama IX of
Thailand, currently the world's longest-serving head of state.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadej)
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Wikiquote of the day:
I see it all perfectly; there are two possible situations — one can
either do this or that. My honest opinion and my friendly advice is
this: do it or do not do it — you will regret both. -- Søren
Kierkegaard in Either/Or
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/S%C3%B8ren_Kierkegaard)