________________
84 JAINS AND TAMIL LITERATURE. scheme looks quite simple. He has divided Tamil literature into the following periods :. 1. The early 8000 B.C. to 100 A.D. in
cluding the age of the Sangams or
the three Academies. 2. The Medieval. 3. (a) The first half : 100—600 A.D. when
the five major and the five minor
epics and other works were written. (6) The second half : 600 to 1400 A.D.
the period when, according to him, Tēvāram, Tiruvoimozhi, Rāmāyanam, Nala Venbā and other works were
written. 4. The Modern : from 1400 A.D. It would take us far away from the purpose of this work, if we entered into a critical examination of these two schemes of classification. Nevertheless, it may be remarked that the above divisions are based on mere legends about the existence of the three Academies, each extending over several thousands of years, thus taking the beginnings of South Indian History and of Tamil culture to the glacial pariod. More patriotic than sound, the divisions cannot now stand the test of historic criticism. We shall, therefore, pass on to the classification of Dr. Caldwell.
The learned bishop divides Tamil literature into seven cycles, citing some author or work as representative of each cycle..
