Legacies and Setting

Hinduism in the pre-colonial era was clearly interlinked with the political system. Long-established Hindu views of government, in the South as well as in the North, included a belief that it was the duty of the ruler to uphold dharma — to foster and protect the existing social and religious system. This tradition of patronage and protection was generally accepted and followed by pre-colonial rulers in both Trichinopoly and Tanjore districts.