March 7, 2019

Sangam Age

Contents

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The period between the 3rd century B.C. to the end of 3rd century A.D. in Southern India is known as Sangam Period.
Their beginnings can be traced to 1000 B.C.
But in many cases the megalithic phase lasted from about the 5th to the 1st century B.C.
The Cholas, Pandyas and Keralaputras (Cheras) mentioned in the Asokan inscriptions were probably in the late megalithic phase of material culture.
It has been named after the Sangam academies during that period.
According to the Tamil legends, there were three Sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) held in the ancient South India popularly called Muchchangam.
These Sangams flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.
1st Sangam
- It is believed to be held at Madurai, attended by gods and legendary sages.
- No literary work of this Sangam is available.
2nd Sangam
- It was held at Kapadapuram, only Tolkappiyam survives from this.
3rd Sangam
- Held at Madurai was founded by Mudathirumaran.
Their Chief god was Murugan

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Cheras

The Cheras ruled over major parts of modern Kerala.
The capital of Cheras was Vanji.
Tondi and Musiri were the important seaports in this period.
The emblem of Cheras is the ‘bow and arrow’.
The Pugalur inscription of the 1st century AD and Padirruppattu has reference to three generations of Chera rulers.
Senguttuvan was the prominent ruler of this Chera dynasty.
The military achievements of Senguttuvan have been recorded in epic Silapathikaram.
He has done an expedition to the Himalayas where he defeated several North Indian rulers.
Senguttuvan introduced the Pattini cult or the worship of Kannagi as the ideal wife in Tamil Nadu.
He was the first to send an ambassador to China from South India.

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The Chola kingdom in the Sangam period extended from present day Tiruchi district to Southern Andhra Pradesh.
Initially, the capital of Chola was Uraiyur and later moved to Puhar (Tanjore)
King Karikala was a prominent king of the Cholas dynasty.
The insignia of Cholas was ‘tiger’.
Pattinappalai written by Kadiyalur Uruttirangannanar depicts his life and military takeovers.
Various Sangam poems indicate the Battle of Venni where he defeated the alliance of Pandyas, Cheras, and 11 minor chieftains.
Vahaipparandalai was another important battle fought by Karikala.
Trade and commerce prospered during his rule.
He also built irrigation tanks near river Kaveri to make available water for reclaimed land from the forest for cultivation.
Elara was another king, who conquest Sri lanka.

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Founded by a woman king
The Pandyas ruled over the contemporary day Southern region of Tamil Nadu.
Madurai was the capital of Pandyas.
Their emblem was the ‘Carp’.
King Nedunjeliyan also was known as Aryappadai Kadantha Neduncheliyan.
According to mythology, the curse of the Kannagi, wife of Kovalan, burnt and destroyed Madurai.
The socio-economic condition of the seaport of Korkai was mentioned in Maduraikkanji which was written by Mangudi Maruthanar.
Famous for its pearls trade

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The Sangam literature includes Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and two epics named – Silappathigaram and Manimegalai .
Tolkappiyam was authored by Tolkappiyar, it is considered the earliest of Tamil literary work.
Though it is a work on Tamil grammar but it also provides insights on the political and socio-economic conditions of the time.
Ettutogai (Eight Anthologies) consist of eight works
The Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls) consist of ten works .
Pathinenkilkanakku contains eighteen works about ethics and morals.
The most important among these works is Tirukkural authored by Thiruvalluvar, the tamil great poet and philosopher.
The two epics Silappathigaram is written by Elango Adigal and Manimegalai by Sittalai Sattanar.
They also provide valuable details about the Sangam society and polity.

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The Greek authors like Megasthenes, Strabo, Pliny and Ptolemy mentioning commercial trade contacts between the West and South India.
Also, the Ashokan inscriptions mention the Chera, Chola and Pandya rulers to the south of Mauryan empire.
Another inscription, Hathikumbha inscription of Kharavela of Kalinga also has mention of Tamil kingdoms.

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There were women poets like Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and Kakkaipadiniyar who flourished and contributed to Tamil literature.
Love marriage was a common practice and women were allowed to choose their life partners.
But, life of widows was miserable.
There is also a mention the practice of Sati being prevalent in the higher strata of society.

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Agriculture was the chief occupation where rice was the most common crop.
The handicraft included weaving, metal works and carpentry, ship building and making of ornaments using beads, stones and ivory.
The port city of Puhar became an important place of foreign trade, as big ships entered this port containing precious goods.
Other significant ports of commercial activity were Tondi, Musiri, Korkai, Arikkamedu and Marakkanam.
Many gold and silver coins that were issued by the Roman Emperors like Augustus, Tiberius and Nero have been found in all parts of Tamil Nadu indicating flourishing trade.
Major exports of the Sangam age was cotton fabrics and spices like pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and turmeric along with ivory products, pearls and precious stones.
Major imports for the traders were horses, gold, and sweet wine.

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