Which three early Tamil kingdoms formed the political trinity of the region?

The political history of the Tamil region, known as Tamilakam, was defined by a trinity of ancient powers that emerged in antiquity. These three major kingdoms were:12

• Chera dynasty: Centered on the Malabar Coast and its hinterland.13
• Chola dynasty: Centered around the Kaveri River valley and modern Thanjavur.13
• Pandya dynasty: Based at Madurai, which served as the core of the Tamil speakers.13

These kingdoms maintained significant diplomatic and trade relations with distant lands, including the Roman Empire and western Asia. While they were frequently at war with one another, they collectively established the foundational political structure of the region as documented in early Sangam literature and archaeological findings.123