The Sangam Age is a significant period in South Indian history. According to Tamil folklore, there were three Sangams (Academies of Tamil poets) in ancient Tamil Nadu, which were widely known as Muchchangam. These Sangams thrived under the Pandyas' royal support. Sangam Period refers to the time period in South India (the area south of the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra) between the third century B.C. and third century A.D. This article will explain to you the Sangam age which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Sangam age

• The Sangam period or age, specifically the third Sangam period, is a period of history in ancient Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and portions of Sri Lanka that lasted from around the 6th century BCE to around the 3rd century CE.
• It was named after the well-known Sangam schools of poets and philosophers based in Madurai.
• It was named after the Sangam academies that flourished during that era under the royal patronage of the Pandya rulers of Madurai.
• Eminent intellectuals gathered at the sangams to serve as censors, and the best writing was rendered in the form of anthologies.
• These literary works were among the first examples of Dravidian literature.
• According to Tamil traditions, three Sangams (Academies of Tamil poets) were held in ancient South India, generally known as Muchchangam.
• The First Sangam is said to have taken place in Madurai, and it was attended by gods and mythical sages. This Sangam's literary work is not available.
• Only Tolkappiyam survived from the Second Sangam, which was held in Kapadapuram.
• Madurai also hosted the Third Sangam. A handful of these Tamil literary works have survived and can be used to recreate the Sangam period's history.
• It was attended by a great number of poets who generated extensive literature, but only a handful of them survived.
• These Tamil literary works continue to be valuable materials for reconstructing the history of the Sangam Age.

Sangam age - Sources

Sangam Literature

• Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and the two epics – Silappathikaram and Manimegalai – are among the works in the Sangam literary corpus.
• Tolkappiyam, written by Tolkappiyar, is the first piece of Tamil literature.
• It is a study on Tamil language, but it also discusses the political and economic realities during the Sangam period.
• Aingurunooru, Narrinai, Aganaooru, Purananooru, Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal, and Padirruppattu are the works included in the Ettuthogai or Eight Anthologies.
• Thirumurugarruppadai, Porunarruppadai, Sirupanarruppadai, Perumpanarruppadai, Mullaippattu, Nedunalvadai, Madurai Kanji, Kurinjippatttu, Pattinappalai, and Malaipadukadam comprise the Pattuppattu or Ten Idylls.
• Aingurunooru, Narrinai, Aganaooru, Purananooru, Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal, and Padirruppatu are the eight works included in Ettuthogai (Eight Anthologies).
• Pathinenkilkanakku features eighteen pieces, the most of which deal with ethics and morals. The most important is Thirukkural, written by Thiruvalluvar.
• Elango Adigal's Silappathigaram and Sittalai Sattanar's Manimegalai both include useful information on Sangam politics and society.
• Scholars are still divided on the dating of the Sangam literature.
• The fact that Gajabhagu II of Sri Lanka and Cheran Senguttuvan of the Chera dynasty were contemporaries is the primary anchor of Sangam chronology.
• Silappathigaram, as well as the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, confirm this.
• In addition, Roman coins minted by Roman emperors in the first century A.D. were discovered in abundance in numerous locations around Tamil Nadu.
• As a result, based on literary, archaeological, and numismatic evidence, the most likely dating of the Sangam literature has been assigned to the third century B.C. to the third century A.D.

Other Sources

• Aside from the Sangam literature, Greek authors such as Megasthenes, Strabo, Pliny, and Ptolemy indicate economic links between the West and South India.
• The Chera, Chola, and Pandya monarchs of the Mauryan empire are mentioned in the Asokan inscriptions.
• The Hathikumbha inscription of Kharavela of Kalinga mentions Tamil kingdoms as well.
• The excavations at Arikamedu, Poompuhar, Kodumanal, and other locations demonstrate the Tamils' abroad trading operations.

Sangam age - Political History

• During the Sangam Age, South India was dominated by three dynasties: the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas.
• The Sangam Period literary allusions are the primary source of knowledge about these countries.

kingdoms during Sangam age

Cheras

• The Cheras ruled over Kerala's centre and northern regions, as well as the Kongu area of Tamil Nadu.
• Their capital was Vanji, and they controlled the ports on the west coast, Musiri and Tondi.
• Cheras's insignia was a "bow and arrow."
• The Pugalur inscription from the first century AD mentions three generations of Chera monarchs.
• The Cheras' significance stemmed from trading with the Romans. They also erected an Augustus temple nearby.
• Senguttuvan, often known as the Red Chera or the Good Chera, was the greatest monarch of Cheras in the second century A.D.
• His military exploits are detailed in the epic Silapathikaram, including his trip to the Himalayas, where he destroyed numerous north Indian kingdoms.
• Senguttuvan popularised the Pattini cult, or worship of Kannagi as the ideal bride, in Tamil Nadu.
• He was the first to send an embassy from South India to China.

Cholas

• During the Sangam era, the Chola monarchy stretched from the contemporary Tiruchi district to southern Andhra Pradesh.
• Their capital was first located in Uraiyur but was later relocated to Puhar. Karikala was a well-known Sangam Chola ruler.
• Pattinappalai depicts his childhood and military triumphs.
• He vanquished the powerful confederacy of the Cheras, Pandyas, and eleven smaller chieftains at the Battle of Venni.
• Many Sangam poetry reference this occurrence.
• Another significant fight fought by him was Vahaipparandalai, in which nine enemy chieftains surrendered before him.
• Karikala's military accomplishments elevated him to the position of ruler of the whole Tamil kingdom.
• During his rule, trade and commerce prospered.
• He was in charge of reclaiming forest lands and bringing them back into agriculture, bringing wealth to the people.
• He also erected Kallanai across the Kaveri River and several irrigation canals.

Pandyas

• The Pandyas reigned over what is now southern Tamil Nadu.
• Madurai was their capital. The first Pandyan rulers were Nediyon, Palyagasalai Mudukudumi Peruvaludhi, and Mudathirumaran.
• There were two Neduncheliyans present. The first was known as Arya Padai Kadantha Neduncheliyan (one who defeated Aryan armies).
• He was responsible for Kovalan's execution, for which Kannagi burnt Madurai.
• Talaiyalanganattu Cheruvenra (He who won the war of Talaiyalanganam) Neduncheliyan was the other. Nakkirar and Mangudi Maruthanar both commended him.
• He received this title after defeating his opponents in the Battle of Talaiyalanganam, which took place in the Tanjore district.
• With this win, Neduncheliyan won control of the whole state of Tamil Nadu.
• Mangudi Maruthanar's Madurai Kanji portrays the socioeconomic status of the Pandya nation, particularly the booming harbour of Korkai.
• Uggira Peruvaludhi was the last renowned Pandyan ruler. The invasion of the Kalabhras caused the Pandyan power to wane during the Sangam Age.

Sangam age - Minor Rulers

• Minor chieftains were important throughout the Sangam era. Pari, Kari, Ori, Nalli, Pegan, Ay, and Adiyaman were well-known for their charity and support of Tamil poets.
• As a result, they were dubbed Kadai Elu Vallalgal.
• They were strong and popular in their own domains, while being subordinate to the Chera, Chola, and Pandya emperors.

Sangam age - Polity

• During the Sangam period, thehereditary monarchy was the type of government.
• The monarch had also sought an opinion from his minister, court poet, and the imperial court, known as avai.
• The Chera rulers were known as Vanavaramban, Vanavan, Kuttuvan, Irumporai, and Villavar, while the Chola kings were known as Senni, Valavan, and Kili, and the Pandya kings were known as Thennavar and Minavar.
• Each Sangam dynasty had its own royal emblem: a carp for the Pandyas, a tiger for the Cholas, and a bow for the Cheras.
• A number of leaders and officials attended the imperial court, known as avai.
• A huge group of officials, split into five councils, helped the king. Ministers (amaichar), priests (anthanar), military commanders (senapathi), envoys (thuthar), and spies (orrar) were among them.
• Each monarch had a regular army as well as their own Kodimaram (tutelary tree).
• Land revenue was the primary source of governmental revenue, and customs duties were also levied on international commerce.
• The Pattinappalai are customs officials who work in Puhar's harbour. War booty was also a significant source of revenue for the royal treasury.
• Roads and pathways were well-maintained and monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week to prevent robbery and smuggling.

Sangam age - Society

• Kurinji (hilly trails), Mullai (pastoral), Marudam (agricultural), Neydal (coastal), and Palai (desert) are the five land divisions of Tolkappiyam.
• The individuals who lived in these five divisions had their own primary jobs as well as gods to worship.
• Kurinji – chief deity Murugan – chief occupation hunting and honey collection.
• Mullai – chief deity Mayon (Vishnu) – chief occupation cattle-rearing and dealing with dairy products.
• Marudam – chief deity Indira – chief occupation agriculture.
• Neydal – chief deity Varunan – chief occupation fishing and salt manufacturing.
• Palai – the supreme god Korravai is the major occupation of robbery.
• Tolkappiyam is also used to refer to four castes: arasar, anthanar, vanigar, and vellalar. The governing class was known as arasar.
• Anthanars were influential in Sangam politics and religion. Vanigars were traders and merchants.
• The vellalas worked in agriculture. Other tribal tribes identified in the Sangam civilization included the Parathavar, Panar, Eyinar, Kadambar, Maravar, and Pulaiyar.
• During this time, primitive tribes such as the Thodas, Irulas, Nagas, and Vedars existed.

Sangam age - Economy

• Agriculture was the most important employment. Rice was the most widely grown crop.
• Other crops were ragi, sugarcane, cotton, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and a variety of fruits.
• The Chera people were well-known for their love of jackfruit and pepper. Paddy was the main crop in Chola and Pandya territory.
• The Sangam period's handicrafts were popular. Weaving, metal work and carpentry, ship construction, and the creation of jewellery from beads, stones, and ivory are among them.
• As internal and external commerce was at its pinnacle during the Sangam era, there was a high demand for these things.
• Cotton and silk clothing spinning and weaving reached a high level of excellence.
• Cotton clothing as thin as a mist of steam or a snake's slough are mentioned in the poetry.
• The cotton clothing produced at Uraiyur was in high demand in the Western world.
• During the Sangam Age, both domestic and foreign trade was properly regulated and swiftly carried out.
• The Sangam literature, Greek and Roman narratives, and archaeological evidence all give much material on this topic.
• Merchants moved products from place to place on carts and on the backs of animals. Internal trade mostly relied on barter.
• South India and the Greek kings conducted external commerce. Roman commerce grew in prominence after the Roman Empire's rise.
• As large ships carrying valuable products reached Puhar's harbour, the city became a foreign commercial hub.
• Tondi, Musiri, Korkai, Arikamedu, and Marakkanam are other commercially active ports. Periplus's author delivers the most important information on overseas commerce.
• A plethora of gold and silver coins minted by Roman Emperors such as Augustus, Tiberius, and Nero were discovered around Tamil Nadu.
• They show the breadth of commerce and the presence of Roman traders in Tamil Nadu.
• Cotton garments, spices such as pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric, ivory items, pearls, and precious stones were the principal exports of the Sangam period.
• The most important imports were gold, horses, and sweet wine.

Sangam age - Religion and Worship

• Seyon or Murugan, the Tamil God, was the major god of the Sangam era.
• Murugan worship has an ancient origin, and festivals related to God Murugan were documented in Sangam literature.
• He was given six abodes known as Arupadai Veedu in his honour.
• Mayon (Vishnu), Vendan (Indiran), Varunan, and Korravai were also worshipped throughout the Sangam era.
• The Hero Stone, also known as Nadu Kal worship, was important throughout the Sangam era.
• The Hero Stone was created to commemorate the warrior's valour in combat.
• Many hero stones with tales carved on them have been discovered in various locations of Tamil Nadu.
• This type of remembrance of the departed has a long history.

Sangam age - Position of Women

• There is a wealth of material in the Sangam literature that may be used to track the situation of women throughout the Sangam period.
• Women poets such as Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and Kakkai Padiniyar flourished and contributed to Tamil literature throughout this time period.
• Women's bravery was also lauded in several poems.
• Karpu, or chaste life, was seen to be the finest virtue of women. It was common practice to marry for love. Women were given the right to pick their life mates.
• Widows, on the other hand, had a wretched life. Sati was also widely practised in society's upper echelons.
• The monarchs and nobility patronised the class of dancers.

Sangam age - Arts

• Poetry, music, and dance were prominent among the Sangam people. The monarchs, chieftains, and nobility made generous payments to poets.
• Panar and Viraliyar, two singing bards, packed the royal courts. They were masters of traditional tunes and dances.
• Music and dance were highly developed arts.
• The Sangam literature mentions a variety of Yazhs and drums. Kanigaiyar did a dance. People's favourite form of entertainment was koothu.

End of Sangam age

• The Sangam period gradually declined at the end of the third century A.D.
• For almost two and a half centuries, the Kalabhras occupied Tamil land.There is very little knowledge about the Kalabhra reign.
• During this time, Jainism and Buddhism rose to prominence.
• The Pallavas of northern Tamil Nadu and the Pandyas of southern Tamil Nadu pushed the Kalabhras out of Tamil Nadu and established their reign.

Conclusion

The Sangam Age is an important epoch in South Indian history. The Sangam period or age, more especially the third Sangam period, was a historical period in ancient Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Sri Lanka that lasted from roughly the 6th century BCE to around the 3rd century CE. It was named after the well-known Madurai-based Sangam schools of poets and thinkers.

FAQs

Question: What is meant by the Sangam Age?

Question: What are the Sangam texts?

Question: Which dynasties were prominent during the Sangam Age?

Question: What is the significance of the Sangam literature?

Question: How was trade conducted during the Sangam Age?

MCQs

1. Which of the following dynasties was not associated with the Sangam Age?

a) Cholas

b) Cheras

c) Pandyas

d) Mauryas

2. Which text is considered a part of the Sangam literature?

a) Arthashastra

b) Thirukkural

c) Mahabharata

d) Manusmriti

3. What was the chief export item from Tamil Nadu during the Sangam Age?

a) Silk

b) Spices

c) Cotton

d) Iron

4. Who among the following was a prominent patron of the Sangam academies?

a) Ashoka

b) Karikala Chola

c) Harsha

d) Bimbisara

5. The Sangam Age is characterized by:

a) The rise of Buddhism in Tamil Nadu

b) The flourishing of Tamil literature and trade

c) The spread of Persian culture

d) The dominance of North Indian rulers

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the political structure of the Tamil kingdoms during the Sangam Age. How did the three major dynasties contribute to the cultural and economic development of the region?

Explanation: This question requires a detailed examination of the political structure of the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas, the three major dynasties of the Sangam Age. The answer should include how these dynasties not only engaged in warfare and political alliances but also fostered cultural and economic development through patronage of the arts, literature, and trade. The construction of ports and infrastructure that facilitated trade and the promotion of Tamil literature through the Sangam assemblies should be discussed.

Q2: Discuss the socio-economic conditions during the Sangam Age, with a focus on the role of agriculture, trade, and the caste system in shaping the society.

Explanation: The response should focus on the agrarian base of the Sangam economy and the importance of trade in augmenting the wealth of the Tamil kingdoms. The role of merchants and trade guilds, as well as the nature of exports (spices, pearls), should be addressed. The question also asks for an examination of the caste system during the Sangam Age and how it influenced social hierarchy and economic activities.

Q3: Critically evaluate the historical significance of Sangam literature in understanding the cultural heritage of South India. How has it influenced later Tamil literary traditions?

Explanation: The answer should explore how Sangam literature serves as a primary source for understanding the cultural heritage of ancient South India. The poems and narratives are vital for studying ancient Tamil culture, traditions, values, and social life. The influence of Sangam literature on later Tamil works, including the Bhakti and medieval Tamil literature, should be analyzed, emphasizing its enduring legacy in shaping Tamil identity and culture.

Previous Year Questions on Sangam age 

1. UPSC CSE 2017

Q1: Discuss the role of trade and commerce in the economy of the Sangam Age. (UPSC CSE 2017)

Answer: Trade and commerce played a crucial role in the economy of the Sangam Age. The region had thriving internal trade, with a network of roads and waterways facilitating the movement of goods. The external trade with the Roman Empire, Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean was significant, particularly in items like spices, pearls, and textiles. Ports such as Puhar, Muziris, and Korkai were key to this trade. The rulers of the Sangam Age encouraged trade by maintaining relations with foreign merchants and developing infrastructure.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Q2: Evaluate the significance of the Sangam literature in reconstructing the history of ancient Tamil society. 

Answer: The Sangam literature is a valuable source for reconstructing the history of ancient Tamil society. It offers insights into the political organization, economy, social structure, religious practices, and cultural life of the time. The poems and narratives reflect the valor of kings, the hardships of the common people, and the economic prosperity brought by trade. The Sangam texts also provide information about the relationships between different Tamil kingdoms and foreign powers. Therefore, they are indispensable in understanding the socio-political landscape of the period.