<P> In the Malay Annals, the rajas and sultans of the Malay States (today Malaysia, Brunei and Philippines) as well as their predecessors, such as the Indonesian kingdom of Majapahit, also claimed divine right to rule . The sultan is mandated by God and thus is expected to lead his country and people in religious matters, ceremonies as well as prayers . This divine right is called Daulat (which mean State in Arabic), and although the notion of divine right is somewhat obsolete, it is still found in the phrase Daulat Tuanku that is used to publicly acclaim the reigning Yang di - Pertuan Agong and the other sultans of Malaysia . The exclamation is similar to the European "Long live the King", and often accompanies pictures of the reigning monarch and his consort on banners during royal occasions . In Indonesia, especially on the island of Java, the sultan's divine right is more commonly known as the way, or' revelation', but it is not hereditary and can be passed on to distant relatives . </P> <P> In Tamil culture, before Brahmanism and especially during the Sangam period, emperors were known as இறையர் (Iraiyer), or "those who spill", and kings were called கோ (Ko) or கோன் (Kon). During this time, the distinction between kingship and godhood had not yet occurred, as the caste system had not yet been introduced . Even in Modern Tamil, the word for temple is' கோயில்', meaning "king's house". Kings were understood to be the "agents of God", as they protected the world like God did . This may well have been continued post-Brahminism in Tamilakam, as the famous Thiruvalangadu inscription states: </P> <Dl> <Dd> "Having noticed by the marks (on his body) that Arulmozhi was the very Vishnu" in reference to the Emperor Raja Raja Chola I . </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> "Having noticed by the marks (on his body) that Arulmozhi was the very Vishnu" in reference to the Emperor Raja Raja Chola I . </Dd>

When did the divine right of kings start and end