The Sangam Age, sometimes referred to as the Sangam Period, was a time in ancient South India that spanned roughly 300 BCE to 300 CE. It bears the namesake of the Sangam academies that were founded at this period.
Sangam Age
In terms of politics, the Sangam Age was defined by the presence of the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas, three significant Tamil kingdoms. These kingdoms were governed by all-powerful kings who received assistance from a council of ministers.
The Sangam Age had a feudal political structure, with the king serving as the supreme authority. The king was in charge of upholding the rule of law, enforcing the law, and defending the realm against outside threats. The kingdom was further split up into Nadu regions, each of which was headed by a Velir, a term for local chief.
During the Sangam Period, society was comprised of several social classes, such as the ruling elite, warriors, merchants, and commoners. Because they occupied positions of authority and influence, women played a significant role in society.
All things considered, the Sangam Age’s political structure consisted of a feudal system of government under a centralized monarchy. The kingdoms were well-known for their trade and cross-cultural interactions, which made this era of South Indian history significant.
Sources of Sangam age
Information about South Indian history during the Sangam Age is primarily derived from
various sources, including
- Sangam literature (Tamil),
- Greek accounts.
- Inscriptions.
- Roman coins.
Sangam Literature
Sangam literature, written in Tamil, is an essential information source. It includes a range of texts, including grammar texts written by Tolkappiyar, such as Tolkappiyam.
There are roughly 2400 poems in the Ettuthogai and Paththupattu poems. These poems were written by Panar and Pulavar, and their lengths ranged from three to eight hundred lines.
The eight Anthologies are
- Natrinai
- Kurunthogai
- Aingurunuru
- Patitruppathu
- Paripadal
- Kalithogai
- Akananuru
- Paurananuru
Paththupattu (Ten Idylls)
- Thirumurugatrupatai
- Porunaratrupatai
- Sirupanatruppatai
- Perumpanatruppatai
- Mullaipattu
- Maduraikanchi
- Nedunalvadai
- Kurinjipattu
- Pattinappalai
- Malaipadukadam
The eighteen Patinen Kilkanakku texts, which are post-Sangam works, primarily deal with ethics and moral codes. The two most significant are Thirukkural and Naladiyar.
Silappathikaram and Manimekalai are two significant epics that offer valuable perspectives into the past of culture and religion.
Greek Accounts
Greek accounts, including those of Megasthenes, Strabo, Pliny, and
Ptolemy, provide valuable insights into various aspects of the Sangam Age in South Indian
history.
Inscription
The second and thirteenth major rock edicts in the Ashokan edicts specifically address the kingdoms of South India. The Sangam dynasty is also mentioned in the Hathigumpha inscription.
Roman coins
The presence of Roman coins in South India provides insights into the region’s
trade network.
Archeological Sources
Our excavation at Arikkamedu is crucial to understanding the history of south India.
Political life in Sangam Age
South India had three prominent royal dynasties, namely the Chola, Chera, and
Pandyas.
The royal symbols associated with each dynasty were as follows
- The carp symbolized the Pandyas.
- The bow represented the Chera.
- The tiger was the royal symbol of the Chola.
The Cholas had Uraiyur as their capital, the Cheras had Karur, and the Pandyas had Madurai. Additionally, every dynasty had a trading port of its own, which facilitated a variety of economic endeavors.
Specifically, the Pugalur inscription offers details on three generations of Chera kings, providing important context for understanding the Chera dynasty’s historical pedigree.
In ancient South India, three royal dynasties functioned as hereditary monarchies, with the king holding substantial authority. It also implies a level of regional centralization.
The king asked ministers for advice, and there is proof of an imperial court called “Avai.” The king was assisted in ruling by official bureaucrats such as Amaichar, Anthanar, Senapati, Thuthhar, and Orrar.
The existence of a disciplined and well-run army is another indication that a regular military system has been established. Conflicts like the Battle of Venni serve as a reminder of inter-kingdom disagreements.
Important Sites for Mapping related to Sangam age
Madurai : The capital of the Pandya dynasty was Madurai, which was situated by the banks of the Vaigai River.
Uraiyur : Known for its role in the cotton trade, Uraiyur was once the capital of the Cholas.
Vanji (Karur) : Ptolemy described Vanji (Karur), the capital of the Chera kingdom, as a major trading hub. This city was the capital of Chera king Senguttuvan, according to the epic Silappathikaram.
Muziris : Known for being a significant Cheras port city, Muziris is mentioned in the well-known book “Periplus of the Erythrean Sea.” Trade was conducted by this port with Greece, Rome, and Arabia.
Puhar (Kaveripattinam) : Located in Tamil Nadu on the Kaveri River, Puhar—also referred to as Kaveripattinam—was a major seaport during the Sangam Era. Puhar is said to have had trade connections with Rome during this time, according to the Sangam work “Silappadikaram.”
Arikamedu : Known for being close to Puducherry, Arikamedu is mentioned in the widely read book “Periplus of the Erythrean Sea.”
Korkai : Korkai, a port in Tamil Nadu, was important to the Pandya dynasty and was well-known for its pearl trade.
Economic life of Sangam Age
- The land was divided into five divisions called Thinai, according to Tolkappiyam.
- Neytal stood for coastal regions.
- Marudam was connected to areas that were agricultural.
- Pastoral areas were indicated by Mullai.
- Palai stood for arid regions.
- Kurinji was associated with hilly landscapes.
- Generally, agriculture—especially rice farming—was the most common occupation.
However, each Thinai had its specialized activities
- Neytal was a well-known fisherman.
- Marudam was an agricultural city.
- Mullai concentrated on raising cattle.
- The main source of income in Palai was robbery.
- Kurinji highlighted the hunting.
- The Sangam era saw a boom in handicrafts, such as weaving, carpentry, and ornament making. Cotton clothing was in high demand in the Western regions, especially from Uraiyur.
- During this time, Ancient Tamil had a great deal of external trade with places like the Roman Empire, China, Egypt, and South Asian nations.
- Roman trade was very important, and Puhar was an important port.
- Several ports, including Tondi, Muziris, and Arikkamedu, were mentioned in the “Periplus of the Erythrean Sea”.
- The existence of gold and silver coins issued by Roman emperors in India was brought to light by texts such as the Periplus. India benefited from this robust trade, especially in textiles and spices during this period.
External Trade in Sangam Age
External trade flourished during this period, with important roles played by rulers like the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandavas. The monsoon theory was first proposed in 45 AD and is attributed to Hippalus. Later, this theory—which linked the discovery of the monsoon to the rise in external trade—was derided as “Roman ethnocentric nonsense.”
Society during the Sangam Age
Though there were few clear distinctions, the Sangam period, which lasted from about 300 BCE to 300 CE, saw the recognition of the concept of Varna by the society. It was clear that different classes existed; Tolkapiyam distinguished four castes: the ruling Arasar, the religious Anthanar, the Vanigar, and the Vellar, who were farmers.
During this time, the rise of clan-based groups known as Kuti, which were distinguished by the absence of social norms, was noteworthy. Still, it was clear that class and Varna divisions contributed to social stratification. Documentation was done on the lower classes of society, such as agricultural laborers like Kadaisiyan and those who worked on animal skins like Pariyars.
As war heroes, warriors were regarded with great respect and were honored with memorial stones called Nadukal or Virukal. Although the traditional varnas of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras were acknowledged by the Sangam society, social mobility based on individual aptitudes and occupations was permitted. The existence of guilds or trade associations like “Nigama” and “Ayyavole” also had a big impact on the economy during this time.
Status of women in Sangam Age
- Compared to later periods, women in Sangam society enjoyed a relatively elevated status, making them a noteworthy position in the society. They took an active part in a range of roles, including teaching and working in the literary and poetic arts. Known as “Auvaiyars,” female poets made a substantial literary contribution to Tamil during this period. Women participated in economic activities, and love marriages were common.
- Although widows were aware of the Sati practice, their lives were difficult because of the social pressure to live chaste lives, or Karpu. There is evidence that women’s status is complex, with perspectives from both female slaves and female dancers.
Religious life of Sangam Age
❖ As seen by the devotion of several gods, including Murugan, Indra, and Varuna, religion was important to Sangam society. The fundamental ideas of “karma” and the cyclical nature of birth and rebirth were widely accepted in the society.
❖ A cross-cultural exchange between North Indian and South Indian customs took place during this time, as evidenced by the rise in popularity of Brahmanical sacrifices. One Pandava king even took on the title “Palsalai,” which denotes the possession of many sacrifice halls. There was also evidence of the influence of Jainism and Buddhism.
❖ During the sangam age, Murugan, also called Seyon, was revered as the most important god. Afterwards, Murugan took on the name Subramaniam.
Other gods such as Varunam, Vendan, and Mayon (similar to Vishnu) were also mentioned. There was a strong belief in magical forces like Ananku and a reverence for hero stones. The belief in life after death was deeply ingrained in the society.
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