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 concentration in Eastern Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

State formation and rise of civilization

The megalithic people started to reclaim the fertile deltaic lands. The route to the south is called as Dakshinapathawhich became economically important.

Megasthenes knew about Pandyas while Ashokan inscriptions mention about Cholas, Pandyas, Keralaputras and Satyaputras

Flourishing trade with 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. 3^rd century BC to c. 3^rd century AD. It is named after the famous Sangam academies of poets and scholars centred in the city of Madurai.

Three early kingdoms

Kingdom

Capital

Port

Emblem

Famous Ruler

Cheras

Vanji – Modern Kerala

Muzuri and Tondi

Bow

Senguttuvan

Cholas

Uraiyur and Puhar

Kaveripatinam/Puhar. They had an efficient Navy

Tiger

Karikalan

Pandyas

Madurai

Korkai for Pearl Fishing

Fish

Nedunzheriyan

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

Kurunji

Hilly tracts

Murugan

Hunting and honey collection

Mullai

Pastoral

Mayon

Cattle rearing and dealing with dairy products

Marudham

Agricultural

Indira

Agricultural

Neidhal

Coastal

Varunan

Fishing and salt manufacturing

Palai

Desert

Korravai

Robbery

Sangam administration

Avai – the imperial court

Kodimaram – tutelary tree of every ruler

Panchmahasabha

Amaichar – ministers

Senatipathiar – Army chief

Otrar – Spy

Thoodar – Envoy

Purohitar – Priest

Kingdom’s division

Mandalam/Nadu – Province

Ur – town

Perur – Big village

Sitrur – Small village

Sangams

Sangam

Place

Chairman

Surviving texts

1^st

Then-Madurai

Agasthiyar

Nil

2^nd

Kapadapuram

Agasthiyar and Tolkappiyar

Tolkappiyam

3^rd

Madurai

Founder - Mudathirumaran

Nakkirar 

Ettutogai, Pattu Pattu (10 idylls)

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

Valayapathi

Kundalagesi

Sivaga Sinthamani