Sangam Age - The Dawn of History in The Deep South

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Sangam Age - The Dawn of History in the Deep South


The Megalithic Background
Megalith graves were encircled by big pieces of stones. They also contained
pottery and iron objects buried with the corpse. They are found in the upland
regions of Peninsula with the concentration in Eastern Andhra Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu
State formation and the rise of civilization
The megalithic people started to reclaim the fertile deltaic lands. The route to the
south is called as Dakshinapatha which became economically important.
Megasthenes knew about Pandyas while Ashokan inscriptions mention about
Cholas, Pandyas, Keralaputras and Satyaputras
Flourishing trade with the Roman empire led to the formation of these three states
i.e., Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas
Sangam Period
Sangam period is the period in the history of ancient Tamil Nadu spanning from
c. 3rd century BC to c. 3rd century AD. It is named after the famous Sangam
academies of poets and scholars centred in the city of Madurai.
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Three early kingdoms


Famous
Kingdom Capital Port Emblem
Ruler
Vanji – Modern
Cheras Muzuri and Tondi Bow Senguttuvan
Kerala
Kaveripatinam/Puhar.
Uraiyur and
Cholas They had an efficient Tiger Karikalan
Puhar
Navy
Korkai for Pearl
Pandyas Madurai Fish Nedunzheriyan
Fishing
Cheras

• They had Palmyra flowers as their Garland


• Pugalur inscriptions mention of three generations of Cheras
• Senguttuvan introduced Pattni cult or Worship of Kannagi as ideal wife

Cholas

• Karikalan built Kallanai (Check dam) against River Kaveri

Pandyas

• Maduraikkanji written by Mangudi Maruthanar describes the socio-economic


conditions of the Pandyas
• Invasion by Kalbharas led to their decline

These kingdoms had a profitable trade with the Roman empire. They produced
Pepper, Ivory, Pearls, Precious stones, Muslin, Silk, Cotton etc. which led to
prosperity in their region.
Rise of social classes

• Enadi – captains of the army


• Vellalas – Rich peasants
• Arasar – ruling class
• Kadaisiyar – the lowest class
• Pariyars – agricultural labourers

Four castes mentioned in Tolkappiyam

• Arasar – Ruling class


• Anthanar – Brahmanas
• Vanigar – People involved in Trade and Commerce
• Vellalar – Labourers

Five-fold division of land


Land Type of land Chief deity Chief occupation
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Kurunji Hilly tracts Murugan Hunting and honey collection


Cattle rearing and dealing
Mullai Pastoral Mayon
with dairy products
Marudham Agricultural Indira Agricultural
Fishing and salt
Neidhal Coastal Varunan
manufacturing
Palai Desert Korravai Robbery
Sangam administration

• Avai – the imperial court


• Kodimaram – tutelary tree of every ruler
• Panchmahasabha
1. Amaichar – ministers
2. Senatipathiar – Army chief
3. Otrar – Spy
4. Thoodar – Envoy
5. Purohitar – Priest
• Kingdom’s division
1. Mandalam/Nadu – Province
2. Ur – town
3. Perur – Big village
4. Sitrur – Small village

Sangams
Sangam Place Chairman
1st Then-Madurai Agasthiyar
2nd Kapadapuram Agasthiyar and Tolkappiyar
Founder - Mudathirumaran Ettu
3rd Madurai
Nakkirar
Tamil language and Sangam literature

• Narrative – Ettutogai and Pattupattu which are called Melkankakku – 18


Major works. They are divided into Agam (love) and Puram (Valour)
• Didactive – Pathinenkilkanakku – 18 minor works. They deal with Ethics
and Morals.
• Thirukkural – Written by Thiruvalluvar is a treatise covering various
aspects of life.
• Tolkappiyam by Tolkappiyar is the earliest of Tamil literature. It is a work
on Tamil Grammar but also provides information on Political and Social
conditions of Sangam period

Epics

• Silapadhikaram by Elango Adigal


• Manimegalai by Sitthalai Sathanar
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• Valayapathi
• Kundalagesi
• Sivaga Sinthamani

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