History of the Tamils [Facsimile] [Hardcover]

Iyengar P. T. Srinivasa (Author), Iyengar P.T. Srinivasa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1995

51 customs have been discussed in this work, from the regions of Hyderabad, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Mysore, Malabar, Asia, and India in general.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Tamil

Product Details

• Hardcover: 696 pages
• Publisher: Asian Educational Services; 1 edition (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8120601459
• ISBN-13: 978-8120601451
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #497,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting read for anyone into Indian history..., April 1, 2010

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This review is from: History of the Tamils (Hardcover)

The writer is a genuine historian and researcher. Although there must have been a big British influence on archaeological work in his time, he retains an Indianness in his treatment of the subject, while avoiding a parochial outlook. There were things about the Tamil language, culture and history that I didn't know before I read this book - for example, that the English words 'rice' and 'cash' may have really come from the Tamil 'arisi' and 'cash' respectively. The book also talks about (Agastya as a possible symbol of) the 'Sanskritization' of Southern India, early trade between Greece-Rome and Southern India, and dispels historical 'facts' that were based on literary works such as the 'Silappadhigaram' (while the epilogue acknowledges their literary greatness). But the most interesting thing, perhaps, is how the landforms of the Tamil area influenced its culture.

Given that there's going to be more research into and discoveries about ancient India (particularly Southern India) in the coming years, this book is a wonderful appetizer.

It's about time for a reprint of this book, so copies aren't as scarce as they are now.