CPCL POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE, MANALI, CH-68.

7 MARKS(QP – 1):
1. (a) Explain the evidence at Keezhadi excavation about Nano technology in black red pottery
Ans: Black Red Vessels:The Black and Red Ware culture (BRW) is a culture that emerged in North
India and Central India during the late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age around 1450BC – 1200BC.
The Raw Material of Black – Red Pottery: Spectroscopic analysis of some samples of black and
red ware found at Kizhadi were experimented. The results of that study revealed that the red colour
of the black red pottery was due to hematite, an iron mineral and the black colour was due to the
charcoal.The ancient potters living at Kizhadi used a technique of heating these dark red coloured
pots at a temperature of 1100*C.
Carbon Nanotubes: Chemical analysis of the interior pot shells found at Kizhadi confirmed
the presence of nanotubes in the black paint. The researchers proved that the carbon nanotubes
were responsible for the black coating on the inner side of the pot shell that did not decay .
Single walled and multi walled nanotubes: Both single – walled and multi – walled
nanotubes were found in the pottery excavated at Kizhadi. Now, carbon nanotubes are formed by
heating a carbon – based compound to a very high temperature i.e. 1200*C. So Sangam people
could have made it possible by heating at very high temperatures.
(b) Explain the pottery making process.
Ans: Potter making process: Pottery items are made using a variety of methods. Among them,
the Potter’s wheel is important.
Potter’s wheel (or) Potter’s rotators:
*First, the clay soil is taken and the water is poured and it is soaked for the whole day.
*Then a certain amount of sand, ash, jaggery (Panaivellam), salt and hog plum (Kadukkai) are added
with it and made a thick paste.
*In the process of “throwing”, the clay is wheeled into the middle of the spinning platform called
“Chakrathali”.
*The potters rotate the wheel with a stick at the required speed. As the wheel rotates, the fine clay
is pressed, squeezed and pulled upwards and outwards to form a vacuum pot.
*Then the vacuum pot with the hole should slightly dried and enlarged with a stone and a plank to
close the hole. Finally, the pot is heated to a high temperature in kiln. Now, pot gets harden.
Kinds of Rotators: In Tamil Nadu, there are two types of rotators.
1) Ball Point Rotator 2) Cone – slot Rotator.
(c) Write short notes on scratch marks on the vessels.
Ans:* Between the end of the Indus Valley Culture and the appearance of the “Tamizhi” letters,
there was a written form. They were called symbols and incisors by the researchers.
*People inscribed their names on the pots to recognize whose it was.
Types of Scratch: Scratches present on the broken parts of the pottery
1. Before burning the pottery. 2. After they were burnt ( most common in tamilnadu)
*Excavations at Adichanallur, Kodumanal and Kizhadi in Tamilnadu the potter with tamil brahmi
letters were found in first clay layers and the pot pieces with codes were found in deeper layers
which resemble the Indus scripts. *The scratch symbols are considered to predate the “Tamizhi”
script.* The Indus alphabets is written from the right – left was discovered only from the scratch
writing on the pot shell.*The paintings are often seen as images such as trees, animals, the sun ,etc.
as scratches.Like Ladder, star, trishul, swastik symbols more than 15 have been identified in
excavations.
2. (a) Write about the design and arrangements of the household goods in the sangam period.
Ans: There are evidences of the existence of house hold items in sangam period. They are
1.Aryakkal(Enthiram): Stone tool used to grind grains. The lower part is a fixed round stone, sprout
in the middle, a round stone with a hole in middle at the top. There is a sprout to hold the top stone
to move it around. Plant crop, gram, greengram can be easily broken.
2. Ural: Ural is a tool made of wooden black stone like a udukkai. It is also called kundhani. This is
used to remove the husk of paddy, to skin and to clean and the corn.
3. Aatural (Grinding stone): A hole dug in stone, a handle for holding and turning the stone is the
structure. It is used to grind rice flour for idly ,dosai and chilly mortar.
4. Ammi:A stone which is flat at base and a rolling kuzhavi on the top. It is used to grind chilli paste.
5. Sekku: It is mostly made of wood, kuzhavi may be in iron, wood or black stone. Two cattle are
locked to go round the sekku. It is used to press sesame, groundnut and coconut to extract oil.

(b) Describe the model structures of Madurai Meenakshi amman temple.

Ans: *Madurai meenakshiamman temple is located in Madurai with Sundareshwar as god and
Meenakshiamman as goddess. One of the 51 sakthipeedas of Ambigai.
*Spread over an area of 45 acres with 8 towers and 2 vimanas for Ambgai and Sundareshwar.
*Karuvarai vimanas are called IndraVimanas, supported by 32 stone lions, 64 sivaganams, 8 White
elephants.
*Kulasekhara Pandiyan destroyed the forest kadambavanam and built the city of Madurai.
*East tower(Rajagopuram)- 161 feet. West tower – 163 ft. South tower-170 ft(highest). North
tower-160 ft.
* Also the temple has potramarai pond, thalavirushtam kadamba maram in one acre.
Sannithi: Moolavar sannithi-sundareshwarar( sokkar), Ambal Sannithi-
Meenakshiamman(Maragadgavalli).
Mandapams: Attasakthi Mandapam, Kambathadi Mandapam, 1000 pillars Mandapam,
Veeravasantharayar Mandapam.
Pathivirathai: Meenakshiamman always intend to her duties to her husband, completes her
abhishegam first and get ready before waking up her husband.
(c) Explain the classifications of house/plot with the quotation existed in Yettuthogai Noolgal.

3. (a) Explain about gem stone types as described in Silappathigaram.

Ans: In Silapathigaram, When Kannnagi and kovalan visit Madurai, they go through a street where
beads are sold. Lets see the types of beads listed by Ilangovadigal.
Diamonds: Quality diamonds without the defects of Kagapatham, Kalangam, Vindu were sold.
Emerald stones:Green light emitted stones without the defects of Neerottam and irul were sold.
Ruby stones: Non defective Ruby stones like Pathuman , neelam were sold.
Topaz stones: Topaz stones were sold that like pusam star, a cat’s eye and sprinkled with gold.
Vaidurium: Vaidurium of flawless sunshine and having the colour of clear honey were sold .
Neelamani stones: Neelamani stones that emit light as if the darkness has disappeared were sold.
Komethagam stones: Yellow and red colour mixed stones were sold.
Pearls: Pearls of clear light in white , removed from the dirt by wind and water were sold.
Corals: Red coloured corals free from holes and bends were sold .

(b) Explain the process of smelting of iron in sangam period.

Ans: Tamilians had known the use of iron before the rest of the world knew it . They might have
smelted iron and made weapons .
Flint Pipes: Existence of iron smelters is confirmed by the presence of flint pipes in places were the
iron wastes is found.It is used for blowing air through the pipe to keep the fire continuously burning.
Chennakuzhi: Chen+ na+ pit = redpit. Chenna- colour red ,na- flame of fire,kuzhi -name of the place.
Large circular pots of clay were probably used for smelting iron. Such pits are found wherever iron
scraps are available. These named so because they spewed fire.
Secondary Casting Plants: The secondary raw materials required have been obtained from the
primary metal separation plant. Carbon alloy melted in flint pots poured into flint castings and the
lower part is buried in soil and molten metal is poured into it.
Herbal use: Heat required to melt iron don’t need trees to burn , instead herbs enough.
Location of smelter: The ores have been mined near the iron ore smeller, which is the location.

(c) Explain the ship building technology as referred in sangam literature.

Ans: *During the sangam period, man first sat on a log and started catching a fish in a pond or a
river. Then , he joined a large log and called it a ‘catamaran’ and sat on it and started catching fish.
*In this way, they gradually grew from small vessels such as midavai, naavai , vangam to big one.
*The person who builds ship were called commiers.*They used trees like Neem, Ilupai, Punnai to
build ship which were not affected by water. And the teak and beech wood for sides. *The front
part was designed like the head of an elephant , horse or swan called Parimuka ambi and karimuga
ambi. *Coconut fibre and cotton were placed between the wooden planks and lime and jute were
used for good base. Marcopola admired this method. As the iron nails rust they used wooden nails
called blocks.
Type of vessels: Sangam literature states that there were 18 types of vessels under 3 categories.
1. Catamaran Type vessels 2. Thoni Type vessels. 3. Vallam Type vessels. They are used for
fishing, punal games, pearl hunting in Sangam age.
Catamaran Type: Theppam, Midaivai, Parisal. Thoni Type: Thoni, Boat, Odam
Vallam Type: Naavai, Vangam, Thimil
4. (a) Explain about the wells designed for livestock.
Ans: Well: * A well is a deep hole dug in the ground to access natural resources for peoples and
livestocks drinking purpose. * Cattle herders dig small holes in the earth with sharp sticks held in
their hands. * Purananooru mentions that the water kept soaking in such dug pits were used by
cattle for drinking and women used it for cooking.
Dew pond: *A snow lake is an artificial lake usually located on the top of a mountain designed for
providing water for livestock. *These are lined with clay and lime on the top to prevent upward
burrowing by earthworms. Thus the collected rain water is maintained.
Ice Basins: *A hole of required size is dug and a layer of lime is laid down. It was ground well with
heavy stone wheel . *After few days, without snow or heavy rain, the lime will become as hard as
cement .These will protect the stored water from leaking for years.

(b) Explain about coche diving (Muthu kulithal).

Ans: *Pearl is considered as one of the nine types of gem stones known as precious Navarathnas.
*Pearl hunting is a method of taking pearls from the molluses that live in the deep parts of the
ocean and bringing them to the surface of the ocean through proper training in diving.
Method of Pearl hunting:
Salabam and Pearl Salabam:
Places where pearls were grown in the sea were called Salabam. Pearl hunting was also called Pearl
salabam. Thus Pavalam hunting was called Pavala salabam.
Sammattis and Bathers:
The pearl hunters go into the sea by boat and pick pearls. Those who bend down and pick pearl
oyster shells are called ‘bathers’.
Training: Finding and collecting deep-sea molluses, such as pearl oysters and fresh water mussels
requires special skills and training.
Shark charming: The pearl hunting Barathas must have been attacked by sharks frequently. They
have recited the mantra ‘ Shark Charming’ to prevent this danger caused by sharks and save the
men from them.

(c) Write about the knowledge of sangam age tamils relating to ocean.
Ans: *People have discriminated their habitats into five types of land like field, forest, mountain ,
sea, and sandy areas named as kurinji, mullai, marutham, neithal, paalai in sangam age.
*In the sangha inscriptions, there is an abundance of historical information on oceanography .
*Tholkappiyam refers to sea trade as a Muneer Vazhakkam, and the shipbuilders were called
Commiers.
*Names like navaai, padagu, thimil, ambi and the ports Poombukar, korkai, musiri were mentioned
in sangam literature. Chola established an excellent navy.
*The maritime trade relations with other countries for exporting sandalwood, ivory, clothes,
perfumes were in sangam ages.
*Maduraikanchi mentions the trade of selling pearl. Refrence to ‘Light house’ are found in
Perumbanaatru padai.
*Silapathikaram mentions news about leaf fence, Punnai tree, Ambal flower, Karunkuvalamalar,
smell of Neythal flower. All the above statements shows the knowledge of sangam age tamils
relating to ocean.

5. (a) Explain about digitalization of Tamil books.

Ans: Computer is becoming an indespensible tool in the development of science. Tamilian has
introduced tamil to the internet and has played a major role in its development.
*E-book- Definition: An electronic version of a printed book is called an e-book.
*Creation- The content of the book should be typed with the help of computer and saved as a file.
The file is then uploaded to the Internet which is called ‘e-books’.
*Usage-When we want to read a particular e-book, that book from the internet is downloaded and
stored in the computer.
*Examples: In Madurai project Dr. K.Kalyana Sundaram created some e-books in 1st Thai month.
Dr.T.Nedunchezhian published C.P. Adithanar karutharanga e-book in Dec2005.
*Types: PDF Book, HTML Book, e-Pub, Flip Book, Mobi.
*Applications: Easily carried and used anywhere. * Easily searched and used with the help of search
engines.* Pages can be enlarged as we need.*e-books can be downloaded instantly . *Lifespan of
e-books can be extended for a long time.

(b) Explain the development of Tamil software.

Ans: Many computer platforms do not accept Tamil input directly. English has only 26 letters, but
tamil has 247 letters which cannot be input through keyboards, hence such problems can be
rectified only by softwares.
Three basic technologies to use tamil on computer: 1. Keyboard 2. Encoding 3. Fonts.
Keyboard: It is a peripheral device which enables the user to enter text into a computer. It is one of
the first technologies to use Tamil on computers.
Encoding: Process of converting data into a format required for many information processing needs.
ASCII To use a language in a computer, each character must be assigned a numerical value called
Coding. For English- ASCII, For Indian languages- ISCII, and For Tamil-TSCII came into effect. Also
some other softwares like TAM(Tamil monolingual), TAB(Taml Bilingual), Unicode, TACE(Tamil All
character encoding) came into effect.
Fonts:This is also a piece of software. More than 20 unicode fonts are available. Some of them are
Adami, Mayilai, Murasu mail, e- kalappai, Azhagi, Vaanavil, Bamini.
Also Tamilkey 99 for Mac, Tamil99 keyboard for Android phones, IBUS(Intelligent input bus) for
Linux, Google Input tools were also in use.
 (c) Discuss about the advantages and disadvantages of tamil e-library.
Ans:Tamil e-library is a collection of Tamil digital materials such as e-books, magazines, audio
recordings, video recordings, and other e-documents.
Advantages: 1. As traditional libraries store only limited amount of information, e- library can store
more information.
2. Texts, documents, sound and light notes can be easily accessed with simple inputs.
3 .No need of direct visit, Information can be accessed from any part of the world through internet
at any time.
4 . The same information can be received simultaneously by different persons.
5. By refining and storing the available information, it is possible to protect it from destruction.
Disadvantages: 1. As technology improve, accordingly e-library should also improve its technology.
2. Migration from stateless data, programming language or operating system.
3. While migrating to a new programming language data loss may occur.
4. Data migration is becoming increasingly expensive as technology evolves.
5. Thus its security becomes very complicated.

( For more detailed answer refer textbook)