பண்டைத் தமிழகக் குடியிருப்புகள் உணர்த்தும் சமூகப் பிரிவுகள் (The Social Sects Revealed in the Residential Areas of the Early Tamils)

Abstract

This research article aims to highlight the social sects in early Tamilnadu as revealed in the people’s residential areas. This research is essential to draw a clear picture of the social history of the early Tamils. A sociological approach is followed with the eight anthologies and the ten idylls as the primary sources. The marital problems among the early Tamils, differences in art performance, the commentators' commentaries and the researchers' opinions serve as secondary sources. The analysis revealed that the Velir lived in palaces amidst paddy fields called nadu. Kizhar, with their assistants of agriculture, lived in oor. The non-agriculturists lived in cheri adjacent to oor. Vanikar lived in niyamamoothoor.  Cheeroor is a cluster of cheris away from oor.