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Rh II. 9:45.36800 From the date of the inven(Alphabetic). tion of the alphabet by Agas

tya to the period of comple

tion of his grammar. III. இலக்கணகாலம் Thie period of composition (Grammatic). of Tamil grammar by his

twelve disciples. 19. சமுதாயகாலம் Period of the three Tamil

(Academic). academies(B.C. 10,150 to 150). V. 93161 Ends Wie 200 vears. After the des(Lethargic). truction of the third Sangam

when the Tamil literature, was not patronised (B. C.

150—A. D. 50). VI. #IDW00100

300 years. When Chinta(Jain).

mani, Nannul, Virasoliyam and other Jain works were

written (A. D. 50- 350). VII. 881881 0 800 years. In this period (Puranic). Puranas, Naishada, Rama

yana and other works of that kind were written (A, D.350

—1150), VIII. 348 60 80 700 years. When the Saiva (Monastic). monks of Tiruvaduturai

and other places encouraged, the study of Tamil literature

(A. D. 1150-1850). The above classification appears to us on the face of it unscientific and historically monstrous. It is marked by a total want of a sense of proportion and historical acumen. Coming as it does from the pen of a lawyer of English training it is really pitiable. In his opinion the age of Tamil literature must be at