Tamilakam’s division of land can be interpreted in two ways, depending on the context:
**1. Geographical divisions:**
* **Five regions based on landscape:** According to Sangam literature, Tamilakam was divided into five poetic landscapes called **Tinai**:
* **Kurinchi:** Mountainous regions
* **Mullai:** Forests
* **Marutam:** Cropland
* **Neithal:** Coastal regions
* **Palai:** Arid, barren lands
These regions were associated with different occupations, social structures, and cultural traits.
**2. Political divisions:**
* **Thirteen socio-geographical regions:** Throughout history, Tamilakam comprised various independent kingdoms and chiefdoms called **Nadu**. These Nadu had their own dialects, rulers, and cultural nuances. While the exact number fluctuated, it’s generally estimated to be around **thirteen**:
* Chera Nadu
* Chola Nadu
* Pandya Nadu
* Pallava Nadu
* Tondai Nadu
* Others like Athiyaman Nadu, Thamirabharani Nadu, etc.
Therefore, depending on the perspective, Tamilakam was divided into either:
* **Five landscapes (Tinai) for cultural and literary purposes**
* **Around thirteen Nadu (regions) for political and geographical purposes**
Remember, these divisions evolved over time and weren’t rigid boundaries. Some Nadu overlapped, and their borders shifted due to conquests and alliances. The important takeaway is that Tamilakam had a rich and diverse landscape, both literally and culturally, reflected in its various divisions.
