lopment of the literature has been upon such lines (mainly religious) that it is easy to say from content and method of treatment to which of its epochs a particular work might belong.
We shall now come to our classification. The following table gives a tolerably accurate outline of the important stages in the progress of Tamil literature. As has already been explained religion pervades almost the whole of every literature in India, and the table therefore exhibits the several periods of the religious history also.
Period.
Religion.
Literature.
Language
B. C. 600-200. I. Animistic. 1 I. Academic (T01- 7 B, C, 200-A, D.
kappyam, Kurall i 150. II. Buddhist, j &c.)
I. Early Grannar:
| Agastyam, A, D. 150-500. III. Jaina. II. Classic (Silap-l | Tolkapyam.
padikaram, Manimekalai, Pattupattu &c.)
A D. 500-950. IV. Brahmanic. III. Hym na 117
|(Tevaram, Tiruvachakam, Tiruvoy-|| II.Mediaeval inoli, &c.)
| Grannar:
Tolkapyam, A. D. 950-1200. V. Sectarian. IV. Translations- i kalladam,
(Kamban's Rama-|| Virasoliyam. yana, Kachiyappa's Skanthain, &c.)
A.D. 1200-1450. VI. Reforma- V. Exegetically
tory. (Cominentaries byl | III. Modern
Nacchi-narkiniyar, il | Grammar : Adiyarkunallar, &c.'l Virasoliyam
and Nannul.
A.D. 1450-1850. VII. Modern.
VI. Miscellaneous
