Readings in South Indian History

These thirty-six articles and research papers of Prof. Mahalingam constitute diverse chapters of the history of peninsular India. Schematically presented they build up a vast historical perspective highlighting the socio-economic and administrative institutions in South India from the times of Pallavas of Kanchipuram to the early 19th century.

Prof. Mahalingam, in a sequence of ten articles, traces the political vicissitudes of the Pallava dynasty from glory to decline and offers an impressive account of the trans oceanic contacts of the Pallavas during the reign of Rajasimha and analyses the events that spelled disintegration of the great dynasty. Then two of the six papers covering Chola dynasty present a fascinating picture of the guild organisations and village communities of South India through the ages. Equally brilliant are Prof. Mahalingam\'s studies on the Vijayanagara Empire and the history of Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Pudukkottai during the post Vijayanagara period. The few concluding articles offer compelling descriptions of Haider Ali and Nawabs of Carnatic and vividly recreate their conflicts with the East India Company.

This collection is the outcome of Prof. Mahalingam\'s four decades of preserved industry and research work. The conclusions offered in it are both fresh and stimulating and have already inspired further research in several directions. (jacket)