Sangam Age – Political History of South India | UPSC Ancient History Notes

• Silappadikaram – written by Ilango Adigal. It is about the love affair of Kovalan, Kanaggi and Madhavi. Later, a Kannagi Cult developed in South India.
• Manimekhalai – Written by Sittalai Sattanar continues the story of Silappadikaram in the next generation in which Manimekhalai is the daughter of Madhavi and Kovalan.
• Tolkappiyam – written by Tolkappiyar was product of 2nd Sangam and it is basically a work on Tamil grammar & poetics.
• Tirrukural – Deals with philosophy and wise maxims & was written by Tiruvallur

Polity of Sangam Age

• The Sangam Age discusses the 3 main Kingdoms- Chola. Pandya & Chera and about their rivalry.

• Capitals at Kaverippattanam (Puhar) and Uraiyur (famous for cotton trade).
• Territory – N-E to the territory of Pandya, between Pennar & Velar Rivers.
• Emblem – Tiger
• Kaverippattanam, Uraiyur and Arikamedu (Puducherry) became famous centers of trade and industry under Cholas.
• Elara was the earliest known king. He conquered Sri Lanka & ruled over it for 50 yrs.
• Karikala was the greatest king. He founded Puhar & constructed a dam across Cauvery River.

• Capital at Madurai (center of trade and industry)
• Territory – Southernmost & South eastern portion of peninsula.
• Emblem – Carp (fish)
• Pandyas had trade relations with Romans. They were first mentioned by Megasthenes. They also find mention in the Ramayana & Mahabharata.
• Nedunjelian, known for his kingdom’s wealth and prosperity, was the most noteworthy Pandya ruler.

• Capital at Vanji (Malabar).
• Territory – West & North of Pandya.
• Emblem – Bow and Arrow.
• Senguttuvan (Red Chera) was the most important ruler. He established the Kannagi or Pattini Cult; Kannagi became the object of worship.
• He was the first King from South India to send an ambassador to China.
• He enjoyed the reputation of being highly ethical or virtuous.
• Gajabahu was his contemporary Sri Lankan King.
• Karrur and Mujirispattanam were important centers of international trade.
• Romans settled at Muziris Pattanam.
• A temple of Roman emperor Augustus was constructed here.

• Kingdom was divided into Mandalam, Nadu (province), Ur (Town), Sirur (Small village), perur (Big Village)
• King was called Ko Mannan, Vendan, Korravan or Iraivan. He was the center of the administration. Avai was the court of the crowned monarch.
• Amaichar (ministers), anthanar (priests), Dutar (envoys), senapatiyar (military commanders) and orrar (spies) were the 5 important officers that assisted the King.
• REVENUE ADMINISTRATION: Karai – land tax, Ulgu – custom duties, Iravu – Forced gift/extra demand, Irai – tribute paid by feudatories, Variyar – Tax collector

• The region that Sangam Age mentions was prosperous and agriculture, industry and trade flourished there.
• People were pastoralists, hunters, fishermen although they also produced rice.
• ITEMS OF EXPORT: Maslin, glass beads, pearls, sandalwood, perfumes, black pepper (Yavanapriya), tortoise shell, medicines, animals and birds.
• ITEMS OF IMPORTS: Gold, Silver, Munga, wine, olive oil, dry fruits, raw glass, ivory, copper, tin, medicine and slaves.
• Gold and Silver in huge quantities were brought into India and made the trade greatly in favour of India.
• Pliny, the Roman author and member of senate, in his Naturalis Historia (77CE) regrets the drain out of huge amounts of gold and silver to India.
• Ptolemy in his Geographia (Geography) and Strabo in his Geographical (Geography) also describe this trade imbalance of the Roman empire with India.
• Discovery of Monsoon winds by Hippalus around 45-47 CE further promoted the trade between India and the west.
• Tamilmandalam served as the zone of interaction for silk trade with China.
• Land revenue, customs duty on foreign trade and booty captured in wars were the main sources of the income.

• Tamil people were primarily pastoral and traces of early megalithic life appear in the sangam texts.
• Social classes – Arasars (Ruling Class), Kadasiyar (lower classes people) , Aanthanars (priests), Vanigar (involved with trade and commerce) , Vellalar (Agriculturists).
• In the Marutam region the Vellalas or the rich peasants were dominant.
• Courage, creativity and spirituality of women was respected in Sangam society. Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar and Kakkaipadiniyar were the women poets who enriched Tamil literature.
• Love marriage was accepted in Sangam society.
• Yet, the widows were treated badly as Sati was prevalent.
• Some social (Parathavar, Panar, Eyinar, Kadambar, Maravar, Pulaiyar) and other primitive (Thodas, Irulas, Nagas, Vedars) tribal groups also lived in the Sangam age.

• Murugan was the most important deity of the Sangam age and Nadu Kal (Hero Stone) was also commonly worshiped remembering the bravery of soldiers.
• Kurinji (hilly tracks), Mullai (pastoral), Marudam (agricultural), Neydal (coastal) and Palai (desert) are the five types of the lands mentioned in the Tolkappiyam. Each type of land was associated with a distinct activity and a related deity:

1. Kurinji– Hunting; Murugan

2. Mullai– cattle-rearing; Vishnu (Mayo)

3. Marudam– agriculture; Indra

4. Neydal– Fishing, Salt-manufacturing; Varunan

5. Palai– Robbery; korravai

• Jainism and Buddhism flourished and expanded during this Age.