4th Standard Social Science Term-III
Tamils Around the World
INTRODUCTION
Ancient Tamil Nadu shared its boundary with the sea on three sides. We had trade and cultural relations with many countries like Egypt, China, Myanmar, Japan, Rome and many more. We have trade contacts with the west from 3rd century BC(BCE). Many ships that sailed to China and Southeast Asia used our ports. Rajendra Chola's naval expedition helped to expand our trade and cultural relations to the East.
World Map
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka is home to many tamils. There are two groups of Tamils living there. The first group of people living in Sri Lanka are called Sri Lankan Tamils. The other group of Tamils who moved from India to Sri Lanka are called Indian Tamils. They moved during 19th century to work in tea plantations.
Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka.
Koneswaram temple in Sri Lanka has thousand pillars. It is considered one of the richest and most visited temples in Asia.
Koneswaram Temple
Sri Lanka Currency
MALAYSIA
Malayasia is a peninsula located in Southeast Asia. The relations between Tamil Nadu and Malaysia have existed for more than 2000 years. In ancient times, Tamils' ships reached the modern Malaysian state of Kedah (Kadaaram in Tamil). Tamils influenced the cultural and political nature of Malaysia at the time of Pallava and Cholas Chinese traveller, I-tsing, records that there was regular transport from Nagapattinam to Kedah.
An inscription dated 779 AD (CE) has been found in Ligor, Malay Peninsula. This refers to the trade relationship that the Tamil country had with the peninsula. Today, Tamils form the third largest group in Malaysia after the Malays and the Chinese. One of the biggest Hindu festivals in Malaysia is Thaipusam. Tamil is one of the educational languages in Malaysia.
Batu Caves in a limestone hill, which has a series of caves and cave temple located at Gombak district in Malaysia. The Lord Murugan state at the foot of Batu Caves is the second tallest Hindu deity statue in the world.
Batu Cave Murugan Temple
SINGAPORE
Modern Singapore was founded in 1819 AD(CE) by a British statesman and Lieutenant-Governor Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. The real history of Singapore starts from here. But the Tamils had maintained connection with this island much before that. When British ruled Singapore, Tamils came here as workers and traders. The hard work of Tamils is one of the reasons behind the development and modernisation of Singapore.
During the early years of 19th century, the Singapore British government and Christian missionary schools selected only Tamils as teachers. Now the Tamil community consists of lawyers, lecturers, doctors, engineers, government officials and even politicians.
Construction of Johor bridge, Sembawang shipyard, Kallang airport and St. Andrew's cathedral are symbols of Tamils' hard work.
Kallang Airport
FIJI
Fiji is a group of volcanic islands in the South Pacific. The Tamils were sent to Fiji by British as labourers between 1903 and 1916.
The Tamils in Fiji have always voiced their need for equal rights. As a part of this a women's wing was formed in 1938 called the Indian Sanmarga Maathar Sangam. The purpose of this wing was to set aside one handful of rice each day before cooking so that poor and hungry Tamils can be fed.
The book named Thirukurali was launched by Ratu Joni, the Vice-president of Fiji. He said that the book will help to promote peace and multiculturalism in Fiji. This book was a Fijian version of the ancient Tamil book 'Thirukkural'.
The Siva Subramaniya temple is a Hindu temple located in Nadi, Fiji.
Siva Subramaniya Temple
MYANMAR
Myanmar is our neighbouring country. Most of the people here follow Buddhism. The cultural and trade relations between Tamil Nadu and Myanmar was mostly through the sea.
King Anawrahta Minsaw was the founder of the Empire. He is considered the father of the nation and one of the most famous King. His son, King Kyansittha, had good relations with the Chola kingdom of Tamil Nadu.
In 1850, people from Tamil Nadu moved here and worked in the agricultural fields. The fights between Indians and Burmese led to riots in the country. The forced a large number of Tamils to leave Myanmar.
There are many temples in Myanmar for Hindu Gods like Mariamman, Murugan and Thirumal.
Ananda Temple
Upper Part of the Tower
MAURITIUS
France was the first country to strive for the development of Mauritius during the early years. French brought many Indians to this island in the year 1729 AD\(CE) as they were skilled workers,
Many Tamils were brought from, in and around Puducherry from 1731 AD(CE). Generally, slaves who lived here were mere labourers but, Tamils went there as skilled labourers and artisans. The Tamils helped the French make this island suitable to live and to construct many buildings.
This is a beautiful rock building of the 19th century and classified as historic monument. The building is in Port Louis and was built by Tamils.
Postal Museum
Mauritius Currency
REUNION
Reunion is an island located in the Indian Ocean, near Mauritius. It is a part of the French Overseas Department.
The French brought Tamils to this island from Puducherry and Karaikal. In the early days, Tamils worked in tea and sugarcane plantations. Tamil are more than one-fourth of the total population of this island.
There are no differences among Tamils based on caste and religion there. Still, many Tamils work in the agricultural sector. The educated Tamils also hold high positions in both government and private offices.
The interest of Tamils to learn Tamil and its culture are still strong in the island.
Angkor Wat (Combodia)
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