The Sangam Period in South India (the area south of the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra) is roughly between the third century B.C. and the third century A.D. It was named after the Sangam academies that flourished during that time period under the royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai. Eminent scholars gathered at the sangams to serve as censors, and the best literature was rendered in the form of anthologies. These were the first examples of Dravidian literature. In this article, we will discuss the Sangam Period (3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Sangam Literature

• Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and the two epics Silappathigaram and Manimegalai are among the works in the Sangam literature corpus.
• Tolkappiyam, written by Tolkappiyar, is the first piece of Tamil literature.
• It is a work on Tamil grammar, but it also provides information on the Sangam period's political and socio-economic conditions.
• Aingurunooru, Narrinai, Aganaooru, Purananooru, Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal, and Padirruppattu are the works included in the Ettutogai or Eight Anthologies.
• Thirumurugarruppadai, Porunarruppadai, Sirupanarruppadai, Perumpanarruppadai, Mullaippattu, Nedunalvadai, Maduraikkanji, Kurinjippatttu, Pattinappalai, and Malaipadukadam comprise the Pattuppattu or Ten Idylls.
• Ettutogai and Pattuppattu were both divided into two major groups - Aham (love) and Puram (power) (valour).
• Pathinenkilkanakku contains eighteen works, the majority of which deal with ethics and morals.
• The most important is Tirukkural, written by Thiruvalluvar.
• Elango Adigal's Silappathigaram and Sittalai Sattanar's Manimegalai both contain useful information about the Sangam polity and society.

Post-Sangam Period Literature

Silappadikaram

• Silappatikaram is the first Tamil epic. In Tamil legend, Ilango Adigal is credited with creating Silappatikaram.
• The earliest Tamil epic is Silappatikaram. It is a 5,730-line poem written nearly entirely in akaval (aciriyam) metre.
• The epic is a sad love story of Kannaki and her husband Kovalan, two ordinary people.
• He is claimed to be a Jain monk and the younger brother of Chera king Senguttuvan, the family and ruler of whom is described in the Fifth Ten of the Patiuppattu, a Sangam poem.

Manimekalai

• Manimekalai is a Tamil-Buddhist epic written by Kulavanikan Seethalai Sataar in the 6th century. It is a "anti-love narrative," a sequel to the "love story" in the first Tamil epic Silappadikaram, including some of its protagonists and their descendants.
• The epic has 4,861 lines in akaval metre, divided into 30 cantos. Manimekalai is also the name of Kovalan and Madhavi's daughter, who follows in her mother's footsteps as a dancer and Buddhist nun.

Jivaka Chintamani

• Jivaka Chintamani is one of the five major Tamil epics. The epic was written in the early 10th century by Tiruttakkatvar, a Madurai-based Jain monk. It tells the narrative of a prince who is the ideal master of all arts, warrior, and lover with many wives.
• The Jivaka Chintamani is also known as the Mana Nool. The epic is divided into 13 cantos and has 3,145 quatrains in virutham poetic metre.
• Its Jain author is credited with 2,700 of these quatrains, with the remainder written by his master and another unidentified author.

Valayapathi

• Valayapathi, also known as Valayaipathi, is one of the five major Tamil epics, although it is nearly completely lost.
• It's the story of a father who has two wives, abandons one of them after she gives birth to their kid, and the youngster grows up and seeks his true father.
• This epic's major emotion is love, and its primary goal is to instil Jain values and philosophies. It is "extremely certain" to be a Jain epic authored by a Tamil Jain monk.

Kundalakesi

• Kundalakesi, also known as Kuntalakeciviruttam, is a Tamil Buddhist epic authored by Nathakuthanaar about the 10th century.
• The epic is about love, marriage, becoming bored of one's wedded partner, murder, and finally discovering religion.
• The Kundalakesi epic has survived in bits until the present day, such as commentary made centuries later.

South Indian Dynasties

Chola Dynasty

• From ancient times, the Cholas were one of three major dynasties that ruled south India.
• Karikala Chola (late 2nd century CE) was the most famous king during the dynasty's early years, gaining control over the Pandyas and Cheras.
• The Chola dynasty, on the other hand, began to decline around the fourth century CE.
• This period coincided with the rise of the Kalabhras, who moved down from northern Tamil country, displacing the established kingdoms and ruling over most of south India for nearly 300 years.
• In 850 CE, Vijayalaya Chola resurrected the Chola dynasty by conquering Thanjavur and making it his capital after defeating Ilango Mutharaiyar.
• Aditya I, his son, defeated the Pallava king Aparajita and extended Chola territory to Tondaimandalam. Kanchi (Kanchipuram) and Thanjavur were the Chola Kingdom's capitals.
• Raja Raja Chola, who ruled from 985 to 1014 CE, was one of the Chola kingdom's most powerful rulers.
• His army conquered Thiruvananthapuram's Navy of the Cheras and annexed Anuradhapura and the northern province of Ceylon.
• Rajendra Chola I conquered Sri Lanka, invaded Bengal, and launched a massive naval campaign that occupied parts of Malaya, Burma, and Sumatra.
• The Chola fleet was the pinnacle of ancient Indian sea power.
• The Chola dynasty began to decline in the 13th century and ended in 1279 as a result of the Pandya resurgence.
• The Cholas were master builders who left some of the most stunning examples of early Dravidian temple architecture.
• Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur is a prime example, and it is a United Nations World Heritage site.

Chera Dynasty

• The Chera kingdom was a Tamil dynasty that ruled southern India from ancient times until the 12th century CE.
• The Early Cheras ruled over South India's Malabar Coast, Coimbatore, Erode, Namakkal, Karur, and Salem Districts, which are now part of the modern Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• Trade continued to bring prosperity to the Early Cheras' territories throughout their reign, with spices, ivory, timber, pearls, and gems exported to the Middle East and southern Europe.
• Evidence of extensive foreign trade can be found throughout the Malabar coast (Muziris), Karur, and Coimbatore districts dating back to ancient times.

Pandya Dynasty

• The Pandyan dynasty was one of three ancient Tamil dynasties, along with the Chola and Chera.
• The three dynasties' kings were known as the Three Crowned Kings of Tamilakam.
• The Pandyas ruled over what is now southern Tamil Nadu. Madurai was their capital.
• From prehistoric times until the end of the 15th century, they ruled. The first Pandyan kings were Nediyon, Palyagasalai Mudukudumi Peruvaludhi, and Mudathirumaran.
• Sangam Literature mentions Pandyas. During the Kalabhra invasion, the early Pandyan dynasty of Sangam literature faded into obscurity.
• The dynasty was revived in the early sixth century by Kadungon, who drove the Kalabhras out of Tamil country and ruled from Madurai.
• With the rise of the Cholas in the 9th century, they fell back into decline and were constantly at odds with them.
• The Pandyas were at odds with the Pallavas, Cholas, Hoysalas, and, finally, Muslim invaders from the Delhi Sultanate.
• The Pandyan Kingdom died out after the Madurai Sultanate was established in the 14th century.
• The Pandyas excelled in trade as well as literature.
• They ruled over the pearl fisheries along the south Indian coast, between Sri Lanka and India, which produced some of the finest pearls known in antiquity.
• The Pandyas were originally Jains but later became Shaivites.
• They had extensive contacts with Egypt, Rome, and China, and are mentioned in Megasthenes' accounts.

Sangam Polity and Administration

• Hereditary monarchy was the form of government during the Sangam period.
• Each Sangam dynasty had a royal emblem: a tiger for the Cholas, a carp/fish for the Pandyas, and a bow for the Cheras.
• The king was assisted by a large body of officials divided into five councils.
• Ministers (amaichar), priests (anthanar), envoys (thuthar), military commanders (senapathi), and spies were among them (orrar).
• The military administration was well-organized, and each ruler was accompanied by a regular army.
• Land revenue was the primary source of state revenue, and a customs duty was imposed on foreign trade.
• The booty captured in wars was a major source of funding for the royal treasury.
• To prevent robbery and smuggling, the roads and highways were maintained and guarded.

Sangam Society

• Tolkappiyam refers to the five land divisions: Kurinji (hilly tracks), Mullai (pastoral), Marudam (agricultural), Neydal (coastal), and Palai (desert).
• Tolkappiyam also refers to four castes: arasar (Ruling Class), anthanar, vanigar (carried on trade and commerce), and vellalar (Agriculturists).
• During this time, primitive tribes such as the Thodas, Irulas, Nagas, and Vedars lived.

Sangam Age Economy

• Agriculture was the most common occupation, with rice being the most common crop.
• Weaving, metal work and carpentry, shipbuilding, and ornament making with beads, stones, and ivory were all examples of handicrafts.
• These were in high demand during the Sangam period when internal and external trade was at its peak.
• Spinning and weaving cotton and silk clothing required a high level of expertise. These were in high demand in the Western world, particularly for the cotton garments woven at Uraiyur.
• As large ships carrying valuable goods entered the port of Puhar, it became an important location for foreign trade.
• Tondi, Musiri, Korkai, Arikkamedu, and Marakkanam were also important commercial ports.
• Many gold and silver coins issued by Roman Emperors such as Augustus, Tiberius, and Nero have been discovered in various parts of Tamil Nadu, indicating thriving trade.
• Cotton fabrics and spices such as pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and turmeric, as well as ivory products, pearls, and precious stones, were major exports during the Sangam period.
• Horses, gold, and sweet wine were major imports for the traders.

Conclusion

The Sangam period saw a gradual decline towards the end of the third century A.D. The Kalabhras occupied Tamil country between 300 AD and 600 AD, a period known by earlier historians as an interregnum or 'dark age.'

FAQs

Question. What is the Sangam Period in ancient Indian history?

Question. What are the key features of the Sangam Period?

Question. What are the main literary works of the Sangam Period?

Question. What was the political structure during the Sangam Period?

Question. How did trade and commerce function during the Sangam Period?

MCQs

1. Which of the following kingdoms was NOT part of the Sangam Period in ancient India?

A) Cholas
B) Mauryas
C) Cheras
D) Pandyas

2. What is the most important source of information about the Sangam Period?

A) Vedas
B) Buddhist Texts
C) Sangam Literature
D) Inscriptions

3. Which Tamil dynasty was associated with the Sangam Literature?

A) Gupta Dynasty
B) Chola Dynasty
C) Maurya Dynasty
D) Magadha Dynasty

4. What was the primary focus of the literary works from the Sangam Period?

A) Religious Teachings
B) Military Conquests
C) Everyday Life and Love
D) Royal Dynasties

5. Which trade item was prominently exported from Tamil Nadu during the Sangam Period?

A) Spices
B) Silk
C) Salt
D) Gold

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the political, social, and economic conditions during the Sangam Period in South India.

Answer: The Sangam Period featured:

• Politics: Dominated by the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas, who maintained strong monarchies.
• Society: Complex caste systems, heroic ideals, and values like love and duty were significant.
• Economy: Agriculture and extensive trade flourished, supported by port cities like Muziris and Kaveripattinam.

Q2: Discuss the role of Sangam literature in understanding the cultural history of early South India.

Answer: Sangam literature provides comprehensive insights into:

• Society, with detailed depictions of common life and heroic ideals.
• Religion, highlighting Vedic practices and local deities.
• Trade, reflecting foreign contacts and South India’s economic significance.

Q3: Evaluate the contributions of the Sangam Period to Tamil society and culture.

Answer: Contributions include:

• Literary foundations that enriched Tamil culture.
• Advancements in art and architecture.
• Social values that shaped Tamil identity.

Previous Year Questions on Sangam Period

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Explain the significance of the Sangam Period in the development of early South Indian history and culture.

Answer: The Sangam Period shaped South Indian history with its literary achievements, strong monarchies, and trade networks. It established Tamil culture and influenced subsequent developments in society, art, and politics.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Discuss the economic structure of Tamil society during the Sangam Period and its impact on trade and commerce.

Answer: Tamil society’s agrarian base supported extensive trade networks. Port cities like Muziris facilitated exports of spices, pearls, and textiles, boosting commerce and establishing South India’s global connections.