• 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
• 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

Sangam age

• TheSangam 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 
• The First Sangamis 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 Tolkappiyamsurvived 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 theSangam 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 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 Padirruppattuare 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 Silappathigaramand 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 thatGajabhagu 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 byRoman 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 atArikamedu, 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.
• Cheras
• The Cherasruled 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’ significancestemmed 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.
• Senguttuvanpopularised 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. Karikalawas a well-known Sangam Chola ruler.
• Pattinappalaidepicts 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 Kallanaiacross the Kaveri River and several irrigation canals.

Pandyas

• The Pandyas reigned over what is now southern Tamil Nadu.
• Maduraiwas 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’sMadurai Kanji portrays the socioeconomic status of the Pandya nation, particularly the booming harbour of Korkai.
• Uggira Peruvaludhiwas 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

Sangam age – Polity

• During theSangam 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 rulerswere 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.
• ThePattinappalai 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
• 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.
• Tolkappiyamis 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 
• 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 Cherapeople were well-known for their love of jackfruit and pepper. Paddy was the main crop in Chola and Pandya territory.
• TheSangam 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 Uraiyurwas in high demand in the Western world.
• During theSangam 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 kingsconducted 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 Emperorssuch 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 theSangam literature that may be used to track the situation of women throughout the Sangam period.
• Women poets such as Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and Kakkai Padiniyarflourished 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.
• Themonarchs 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 literaturementions a variety of Yazhs and drums.
• Kanigaiyar did a dance.
• People’s favourite form of entertainment was koothu.

End of Sangam age

• The Sangam periodgradually 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 Buddhismrose 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.