Ancient History Playlist
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Stone age
5 topics
Chalcolithic age(Copper Age)
2 topics
Indus Valley Civilization
5 topics
Vedic age
15 topics
The Mahajanapadas
8 topics
Buddhism and Jainism
16 topics
Mauryan Empire
11 topics
Post-Mauryan Period
14 topics
Gupta Period
16 topics
Post-Gupta Period
16 topics
Sangam Age
7 topics
Chapter 11: Sangam Age
Chapter TestSangam Age: Introduction
The Sangam Age (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE) refers to the period of early historic Tamilakam when Tamil literature, known as Sangam literature, was composed. It provides a rich picture of society, economy, polity, and culture in ancient South India. The term 'Sangam' refers to assemblies of poets and scholars held under the patronage of Pandya rulers in Madurai.
The Sangam Age (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE) refers to the period of early historic Tamilakam when Tamil literature, known as Sangam literature, was composed. It provides a rich picture of society, economy, polity, and culture in ancient South India. The term 'Sangam' refers to assemblies of poets and scholars held under the patronage of Pandya rulers in Madurai.
Sources of Sangam Age
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Literary | Sangam texts: Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Tolkappiyam |
| Archaeological | Arikamedu, Kaveripattinam, Uraiyur excavations |
| Epigraphic | Ashokan inscriptions mentioning southern kingdoms |
| Foreign Accounts | Pliny, Ptolemy, Periplus of the Erythraean Sea |
Fun Facts
The word 'Tamil Sangam' literally means 'academy of Tamil poets'.
Tolkappiyam, the oldest Tamil text, is both a grammar book and a guide to Sangam society.
The Periplus describes Tamil ports like Kaveripattinam as major centers of Indo-Roman trade.
Roman coins found at Arikamedu and Karur confirm overseas trade links.
Mains Key Points
Prelims Strategy Tips
Sources of the Sangam Age
The reconstruction of the Sangam Age (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE) is based on multiple sources — Sangam literature, foreign accounts, archaeological findings, inscriptions, and coins. Together, they provide insights into polity, economy, trade, society, and culture of early Tamilakam.
The reconstruction of the Sangam Age (c. 300 BCE – 300 CE) is based on multiple sources — Sangam literature, foreign accounts, archaeological findings, inscriptions, and coins. Together, they provide insights into polity, economy, trade, society, and culture of early Tamilakam.
Sources of the Sangam Age
| Category | Examples / Evidence |
|---|---|
| Literature | Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Tolkappiyam |
| Foreign Accounts | Pliny, Ptolemy, Periplus of the Erythraean Sea |
| Archaeology | Arikamedu (Roman artifacts), Kodumanal, Uraiyur |
| Inscriptions | Ashokan edicts, Tamil-Brahmi cave inscriptions |
| Coins | Roman gold coins, Chera (bow), Pandya (fish), Chola (tiger) |
Fun Facts
Over 10,000 Roman coins have been found in Tamil Nadu, showing India’s role in Roman luxury trade.
The Pandya emblem (fish) is still part of Tamil Nadu’s cultural symbolism.
Tamil-Brahmi script inscriptions represent one of the earliest written forms of Tamil language.
Arikamedu was a major Indo-Roman trading hub for textiles, beads, and spices.
Mains Key Points
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Kingdoms of the Sangam Period
The Sangam period was dominated by three major Tamil kingdoms — the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas — along with smaller chieftains (Velirs). These dynasties engaged in warfare, patronized Sangam poets, and promoted overseas trade with Rome and Southeast Asia.
The Sangam period was dominated by three major Tamil kingdoms — the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas — along with smaller chieftains (Velirs). These dynasties engaged in warfare, patronized Sangam poets, and promoted overseas trade with Rome and Southeast Asia.
Major Sangam Kingdoms
| Dynasty | Capital/Region | Symbol | Famous Ruler | Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chola | Uraiyur, Kaveripattinam | Tiger | Karikala Chola | Grand Anicut; maritime trade |
| Chera | Karur (Vanji), Kerala region | Bow | Senguttuvan Chera | Patron of Silappadikaram; spice trade |
| Pandya | Madurai, Korkai | Fish | Neduncheliyan | Sangam patronage; pearl fisheries |
| Velir | Smaller chieftains | - | - | Allies or rivals; Sangam patrons |
Fun Facts
The Cholas’ Grand Anicut (Kallanai dam) built by Karikala is still in use in Tamil Nadu.
Roman writers mention Pandya envoys visiting Emperor Augustus.
The Cheras were so famous for pepper that it was called ‘Yavana Priya’ (beloved of Greeks/Romans).
Sangam poems sometimes exaggerate rulers as heroes who never lost battles.
Mains Key Points
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Polity and Administration in the Sangam Age
The Sangam Age was characterized by hereditary monarchies — mainly the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas — with kings as supreme rulers. Kingship was supported by councils, assemblies, a strong army, and simple revenue administration. Local chieftains (Velirs) and assemblies also played a role in governance.
The Sangam Age was characterized by hereditary monarchies — mainly the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas — with kings as supreme rulers. Kingship was supported by councils, assemblies, a strong army, and simple revenue administration. Local chieftains (Velirs) and assemblies also played a role in governance.
Features of Sangam Polity
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Kingship | Hereditary monarchy; kings called Ko, Vendan |
| Court | Advisers, priests, envoys, spies; Avai as center |
| Assemblies | Nadu (district), Sabhai (village council), Avai (royal court) |
| Army | Infantry, cavalry, elephants, chariots; dynastic symbols on flags |
| Revenue | Land tax (Irai), trade taxes, tributes, war booty |
| Justice | King as supreme judge; severe punishments |
Fun Facts
Karikala Chola is remembered as both a warrior and a great builder (Grand Anicut dam).
Sangam kings often compared themselves to rainclouds — givers of prosperity.
Pandya kings invited poets to their courts and rewarded them with gold and land.
Elephants were considered prestige symbols in Sangam armies.
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Sangam Society
Sangam society was secular, open, and less rigid compared to later Vedic society. It was organized into various social groups, with kings and warriors at the top. Women enjoyed relatively better status, though patriarchy was present. The religious life was diverse, with worship of nature, deities, and hero-stones. The economy was agrarian but supported by flourishing trade and crafts.
Sangam society was secular, open, and less rigid compared to later Vedic society. It was organized into various social groups, with kings and warriors at the top. Women enjoyed relatively better status, though patriarchy was present. The religious life was diverse, with worship of nature, deities, and hero-stones. The economy was agrarian but supported by flourishing trade and crafts.
Features of Sangam Society
| Aspect | Features |
|---|---|
| Social Classes | Kings, warriors, farmers, artisans, merchants; varna not rigid |
| Women | Avvaiyar poetess; property rights; widow remarriage; patriarchy |
| Religion | Nature worship; Murugan, Kotravai; hero stones; ancestor worship; Buddhism, Jainism |
| Economy | Agriculture (paddy); trade (pepper, pearls, cotton); crafts; Roman trade |
Fun Facts
The Sangam poems describe 5 eco-cultural regions (Tinai): Kurinji (mountain), Mullai (forest), Marutam (agricultural land), Neital (coastal), Palai (desert).
Women poets like Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and Kakkaipadiniyar composed secular poems.
Hero-stones (Nadukal) were worshipped like deities — a practice continuing in parts of Tamil Nadu.
Roman coins discovered in Arikamedu prove that South India was a hub of Indo-Roman trade.
Mains Key Points
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Comparison: Sangam Society vs. Later Vedic Society
The Sangam society (300 BCE – 300 CE) was more secular, occupation-based, and relatively open, while the Later Vedic society (1000–600 BCE) was dominated by rigid varna, Brahmanical rituals, and patriarchal norms. Both were agrarian but Sangam society was more urban and trade-oriented.
The Sangam society (300 BCE – 300 CE) was more secular, occupation-based, and relatively open, while the Later Vedic society (1000–600 BCE) was dominated by rigid varna, Brahmanical rituals, and patriarchal norms. Both were agrarian but Sangam society was more urban and trade-oriented.
Comparison of Sangam and Later Vedic Society
| Aspect | Sangam Society | Later Vedic Society |
|---|---|---|
| Social Structure | Not rigid; based on occupation & heroism; Velirs as chieftains | Rigid Varna system (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra) |
| Women | Better status; women poets (Avvaiyar); widow remarriage allowed | Low status; excluded from assemblies; child marriage, sati appear |
| Religion | Nature worship (Murugan, Kotravai); hero stones; ancestor worship; Buddhism & Jainism present | Vedic deities (Indra, Agni, later Vishnu, Rudra); yajnas & rituals central |
| Polity | Monarchical (Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas); assemblies (Sabhai, Nadu); local chiefs | Hereditary monarchy; kings supported by purohita, senani; Sabha & Samiti weakened |
| Economy | Agriculture + flourishing trade (Roman, SE Asia); pepper, pearls, cotton exports | Agriculture-based; iron ploughs; proto-currency (nishka, satamana) |
| Literature | Sangam poems (secular, realistic); Tolkappiyam | Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads (religious-philosophical) |
| Society Type | Secular, realistic, urbanized in coastal areas | Ritualistic, agrarian, hierarchical |
Fun Facts
Sangam literature is secular and realistic, while Vedic texts are mostly religious.
Women in Sangam society could compose poetry, unlike in Later Vedic society.
Sangam economy was linked with Rome, while Later Vedic economy was largely internal and agrarian.
Symbols of dynasties (Tiger, Fish, Bow) in Sangam society contrast with Vedic ritual symbols (yajna, soma).
Mains Key Points
Prelims Strategy Tips
Sangam Economy
The Sangam economy was based on agriculture, crafts, and flourishing internal and external trade. Ports like Kaveripattinam and Muziris linked Tamilakam with Rome, Southeast Asia, and Sri Lanka. Pepper, pearls, and textiles were major exports, while Roman gold coins and wine came as imports.
The Sangam economy was based on agriculture, crafts, and flourishing internal and external trade. Ports like Kaveripattinam and Muziris linked Tamilakam with Rome, Southeast Asia, and Sri Lanka. Pepper, pearls, and textiles were major exports, while Roman gold coins and wine came as imports.
Key Features of Sangam Economy
| Aspect | Features |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Paddy cultivation; irrigation works; Grand Anicut by Karikala |
| Crafts | Weaving (cotton, silk); metalwork; bead-making; pottery |
| Trade (Internal) | Markets called Angadi; guild-based exchange |
| Trade (External) | Ports: Muziris, Arikamedu, Korkai; Indo-Roman trade |
| Exports | Pepper, pearls, ivory, textiles, spices |
| Imports | Gold coins, wine, glassware, horses from Rome |
| Revenue | Land tax (Irai), customs duties, tributes, trade taxes, war booty |
Fun Facts
The Periplus called pepper from Tamilakam 'black gold' and the most desired Roman import.
Roman demand for Tamil pepper was so high that Pliny complained about Roman gold flowing into India.
Uraiyur and Kaveripattinam were buzzing textile centers, exporting cotton to Rome.
Nadukal (hero stones) sometimes mentioned merchants who died protecting caravans.
Mains Key Points
Prelims Strategy Tips
Chapter Complete!
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