History

The glorious history of South India dates back to 8000 BC. Ash moulds found in South India are a testimony to the neolithic cultures which once existed here. Other objects such as ground stone axes and objects made of copper were also found in this region. The inception of 1000 BC saw the arrival of Iron Technology in the region. Then came the Bronze age. South India was also an important trading route connecting the Mediterranean and the Far East. This resulted in mixing up of local people with the traders.

The history of South India witnessed the rise and fall of several rulers and dynasties. Some of the dynasties which were established in the past were Satavahanas of Amaravati, Kadambas of Banavasi, Western Ganga and Chalukya dynasty of Badami, Western Chalukyas, Eastern Chalukya, Cholas, Cheras, Pallavas, Kakatiya, Pandyas and Rashtrakutas of Manyaketha. Later in the medieval period the Muslim rule became dominant in South India. A disastrous battle was fought in the year 1323 between the Tughlaq dynasty of Delhi Sultanate and the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal. The former were defeated by the latter. After the decline of the Bahmani Sultanate, the power went into the hands of Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda. Their rule continued till the middle of the seventeenth century and then they gave way to the Mughals. As soon as the Mghal ruler Aurangzeb died, the hold of the Mughals weakened the Wodeyar kingdom of Mysore, the Asaf Jahis of hyderabad and the Maharatas  became powerful.

The French and the British initiated a struggle for military control of South India in the middle of the seventeenth century. The continuous efforts of these two European powers finally led to the military rule in South India. While British rule was becoming supreme all over India, the French remained confined to Pondicherry. Four Anglo Mysore and three Anglo Maratha wars were fought. The Britishers during their rule divided South India into the Madras Presidency and Hyderabad, Mysore, Thiruvithamcoore, Kochi and several other princely states.