Aspirant Academy
ENHI

RAS question

Tolkappiyam, the oldest extant Tamil grammar work, was composed by:

Correct answer: (D) Tolkappiyar.

Tolkappiyam, the oldest extant Tamil grammatical treatise, was composed by Tolkappiyar.

  1. (A)

    Thiruvalluvar

  2. (B)

    Ilango Adigal

  3. (C)

    Kapilar

  4. (D)

    Tolkappiyar

Explanation

Tolkappiyam is attributed to Tolkappiyar and is described by Tamil Virtual Academy as the earliest grammatical treatise now extant in Tamil. The identification matters because the work is not just a name in ancient Tamil literature: it gives the grammar-and-literary framework through its treatment of ezhuttu, sol and porul, covering letters, words and subject matter. Placed before Sangam literature, its author becomes a foundational identification for Tamil literary history. Tamil Virtual Academy also notes that Tolkappiyam includes material of lexicographical interest, which fits its role as an early organising text for Tamil language and literature.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) Thiruvalluvar is linked with Thirukkural, not with the composition of Tolkappiyam.
  • (B) Ilango Adigal is associated with Silappadikaram, so he is not the author of the oldest extant Tamil grammar work.
  • (C) Kapilar was a Sangam poet of Purananuru, whereas Tolkappiyam is attributed to Tolkappiyar.

Concept

This tests the Ancient Indian history syllabus area on Sangam-age Tamil literature and early grammatical traditions. RAS repeatedly asks such author-work pairings because they anchor chronology, literary forms and regional cultural history in one compact fact.

Source

Related questions