From ancient times, Thrissur District has played a part in the political history of south India. As the whole of Thrissur used to come under the Madras dynasty before independence, there are many Tamil speaking families here. In Kerala, Palakkad and Thrissur are home to many Tamil Brahmins.The early political history of the District is interlinked with that of the Cheras of the Sangam age, who ruled over vast portions of Kerala with their capital at Vanchi. The whole of the present Thrissur District was included in the early Chera Empire. The District can claim to have played a part in fostering the trade relations between Kerala and the outside world in the ancient and medieval period.