"This classic study offers a compact and comprehensive account of the much-neglected history of South India--treated here as a single geographical entity--up to the middle of the seventeenth century. Since its publication in 1955, it has established itself as an outstanding work, among the earliest and best studies on South Indian history. The exhaustive narrative incorporates both the author s own researches as well as surveying the available material on the subject, tracing the political history, social life, commerce, religion, philosophy, literature, and arts of South India. Newly introduced by R Champakalakshmi, the book is certain to remain popular among specialist and lay readers alike."