- initial ruler - Elara conquered Sri Lanka, ruled it for 50yr
- most important ruler: Karikala (man w/ charred legs)
- first ruler to embank Cauvery River
- 140km stretch of Cauvery river embanked by Sri Lankan Slaves
- Inland capital Uraiyur: major textile production center
- Coastal capital & most imp. port
- other imp port: Arikamedu
- Cheras (Keralaputras)
- Pandaya
- Pushyabhuti Dynasty