Ancient Agricultural Villages in Tamil Nadu: History of Nallur

Contents: Foreword – Raghuvendra Tanwar. Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. Bhu Dana. 3. Study of Nallur Villages: Nallur Grant – Brahmadeya. 4. Water Resources. 5. Tax on Land: A Study. 6. Vellalan. 7. Chitrameli Periyanattar. 8. Sekkizhar. 9. Kuvam Village – A Study. 10. Er Elupadu. 11. Scope for Future Research. Appendix. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

The present volume explores the socio-economic and administrative landscapes of early Tamil Nadu. Submitted as part of research for the ICHR-National Gurukul Fellowship under the guidance of

Dr. R. Nagaswamy, this study focuses on the ancient agricultural villages, known as Ur or Nallur. Through the analysis of 500 inscriptions, the author provides a detailed examination of the division of land, governance structures, and the intricate processes involved in the establishment of these peasant settlements. The research sheds light on the robust administrative systems that supported the agricultural communities, offering valuable insights into their legal frameworks and the roles of different social groups.

The book also covers aspects of the significance of water resources, taxation systems, and the functioning of local assemblies. It also contains the translation of poet Kamban's Er Elupadu, an eulogy on farming communities in English, alongside a detailed study of specific villages like Kuvam (Tyagasamudra Nallur). Another key feature of this monograph is the creation of a land use map for Koovam village, supported by a comprehensive survey of the ancient settlement.