Ancient Chapters

1. Harappan Indus Civilization2. Vedic Culture3. Mahajanapada Period4. Religious Movements (Ancient)5. Maurya Period6. Post Maurya Pre Gupta Period7. The Sangam Period8. Gupta Period9. Post Gupta Period Vardhana Dynasty

The Sangam Period (300 BCE – 300 CE)

“A glorious period in South Indian history, known for its rich Tamil literature, powerful kingdoms, and flourishing trade.”

What is the Sangam Period?

  • The term "Sangam" refers to literary gatherings of Tamil poets and scholars held in ancient Madurai.
  • Three Sangams were believed to be held, though only the last (third) is historically attested.
  • The period witnessed the compilation of **Sangam literature**—a valuable source of Tamil culture and polity.

Major Tamil Kingdoms

1. Cholas

  • Capital: **Uraiyur** and later **Puhar (Kaveripattinam)**.
  • Famous rulers: **Karikala Chola** – known for building embankments along the Kaveri River.

2. Cheras

  • Ruled over present-day Kerala.
  • Capital: **Vanji**.
  • Famous ruler: **Senguttuvan** – associated with the worship of **Kannagi** and **Pattini cult**.

3. Pandyas

  • Capital: **Madurai**.
  • Patrons of Tamil Sangams.
  • Encouraged learning, trade, and religious activities.

Society, Economy, and Religion

  • Society: Divided into five 'tinai' (landscapes) with distinct lifestyles: Kurinji (hills), Mullai (forests), Marutham (plains), Neydal (coasts), and Palai (desert).
  • Women: Had a respectable position; poetesses like **Avvaiyar** were prominent.
  • Economy: Agriculture, weaving, pearl fishing, and foreign trade (especially with Rome) flourished.
  • Religion: Early Tamil religion was nature-based; later, **Shaivism**, **Vaishnavism**, and **Jainism** influenced society.

Sangam Literature and Contributions

  • Written in **Tamil**, mainly in the form of poems and songs.
  • Famous works: **Tolkappiyam** (grammar), **Ettuthogai** (Eight Anthologies), **Pattuppattu** (Ten Idylls).
  • Poems described love (Akam) and war (Puram).
  • Sangam texts provide insights into early Dravidian life, ethics, warfare, and politics.

Previous Year Questions

  • SSC CHSL 2020: What was the capital of the Pandyas during the Sangam Age?
  • Madurai
  • RRB Group D 2019: Who was the famous Chola ruler during the Sangam Age?
  • Karikala Chola
  • SSC CGL 2021: Who authored the Tamil grammar book Tolkappiyam?
  • Tolkappiyar
  • HSSC 2020: What was the name of the port city of the Cholas?
  • Puhar (Kaveripattinam)
  • SSC JE 2018: Who introduced the Pattini cult in South India?
  • Senguttuvan (Chera King)
  • RRB ALP 2018: What does Sangam literally mean?
  • Assembly or association
  • SSC MTS 2022: Name one woman poet of the Sangam Age.
  • Avvaiyar
  • UPSC CDS 2021: Which Roman emperor had trade relations with Sangam kingdoms?
  • Augustus
  • SSC GD 2023: The Sangam literature was written in which language?
  • Tamil
  • SSC CGL 2020: What are ‘Ettuthogai’ and ‘Pattuppattu’?
  • Collections of Sangam poems
  • HSSC 2021: Who were the three prominent kingdoms during the Sangam period?
  • Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas
  • SSC CGL 2022: What was the chief occupation during the Sangam age?
  • Agriculture
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