<P> The region of Tamil Nadu or Tamilakam, in the southeast of modern India, shows evidence of having had continuous human habitation from 15,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE . Throughout its history, spanning the early Upper Paleolithic age to modern times, this region has coexisted with various external cultures . </P> <P> The three ancient Tamil dynasties namely Chera, Chola, and Pandya were of ancient origins . Together they ruled over this land with a unique culture and language, contributing to the growth of some of the oldest extant literature in the world . They had extensive maritime trade contacts with the Roman empire . These three dynasties were in constant struggle with each other vying for hegemony over the land . Invasion by the Kalabhras during the 3rd century disturbed the traditional order of the land, displacing the three ruling kingdoms . These occupiers were overthrown by the resurgence of the Pandyas and the Pallavas, who restored the traditional kingdoms . The Cholas, who re-emerged from obscurity in the 9th century by defeating the Pallavas and the Pandyas, rose to become a great power and extended their empire over the entire southern peninsula . At its height the Chola empire spanned almost 3,600,000 km2 (1,389,968 sq mi) straddling the Bay of Bengal . The Chola navy held sway over the Sri Vijaya kingdom in Southeast Asia . </P> <P> Rapid changes in the political situation of the rest of India occurred due to incursions of Muslim armies from the northwest and the decline of the three ancient dynasties during the 14th century, the Tamil country became part of the Vijayanagara Empire . Under this empire, the Kannada speaking Nayak governors ruled before the European trading companies appeared during the 17th century eventually assuming greater sway over the indigenous rulers of the land . The Madras Presidency, comprising most of southern India, was created in the 18th century and was ruled directly by the British . After the independence of India, after the Telugu and Malayalam parts of Madras state were separated from Madras state in 1956, it was renamed as Tamil Nadu in 1969 by the state government . </P> <P> The prehistoric period during which Lower Palaeolithic settlements existed in the Tamil Nadu region has been estimated to span the period from about 5000 BCE until around 3000 BCE . For most of the lower Palaeolithic stage, humans lived close to river valleys with sparse forest cover or in grassland environments . The population density was very low and so far only two localities of this lower Palaeolithic culture have been found in south India . Humans in South India, belonging to the species of Homo erectus, lived in this primitive' old stone age' (Palaeolithic) for quite a long time, using only crude implements such as hand axes and choppers and subsisting as hunter - gatherers . </P>

What is the old name of tamil nadu
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