Tamil Nadu Timeline

LanguageBritish Crown rule

Work begins on the University of Madras Tamil Lexicon

· Chennai

In January 1913 the University of Madras began work on the Tamil Lexicon, the most comprehensive Tamil dictionary, published in 1924-1939.

Building on earlier dictionaries by Rottler, Winslow and G. U. Pope, work on an exhaustive Tamil dictionary began in January 1913 under the supervision of the University of Madras. The missionary J. S. Chandler was appointed chairman and editor of the project. The lexicon went to press in 1924, and its volumes were printed between 1924 and 1939, with S. Vaiyapuri Pillai later serving as editor. The first edition ran to seven volumes with more than 100,000 words. It remains the most comprehensive dictionary of the Tamil language.

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    1. 1816ChennaiLanguage

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  2. 1916

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      Maraimalai Adigal starts the Pure Tamil movement

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  3. 1921

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  4. 1936

    1. 1936ChennaiLanguage

      University of Madras completes the Tamil Lexicon

      The final volume of the University of Madras Tamil Lexicon was published, completing the largest Tamil dictionary of its time.

  5. 2001

    1. 17 Feb 2001ChennaiLanguage

      Tamil Virtual University established

      To provide internet-based Tamil learning around the world, the Tamil Nadu government created the Tamil Virtual University, now the Tamil Virtual Academy.

  6. 2008

    1. May 2008ChennaiLanguage

      Central Institute of Classical Tamil moves to Chennai

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