The SANGAM Age

Introduction 

The Sangam Age refers to that period in the early history of south India when large number of poems in Tamil was composed by a number of authors. The term ‘Sangam’ refers to an assembly of Tamil poets. Traditionally three Sangamas, or assemblies are believed to have been convened one after the another. All the three Sangams took place at different places under the patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.

Poems within the Sangam literature were composed on two broader themes of love and war. It was later put together in eight collection called Ettutogai. This literature is believed to have been composed  between 300 BC and 300 AD. A remarkable feature of the Sangam literature is its vivid portrayal of the contemporary society and culture of Tamilaham, or Tamil region and its peaceful and harmonious interaction with the northern (Aryan) culture.

In short, the Sangam literature through its poem on love and emotion (aham) and warfare and social behaviour (puram) on the whole present a picture of political conflict, social inequality and economic prosperity of early Tamil region during 300BC to 300AD.

Polity 

Tamilaham stretches between the hills of Tirupati and the tip of Kanyakumari. It was divided amongst large number of chieftains and the chieftainship was hereditary. The important chieftains who dominated Tamil region during Sangam age were the Cholas with their capital at Uraiyur, the Cheras with their capital at Vanji, and Pandyas with their capital at Madurai. 

The Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras had several subordinate chiefs. Tribute from subordinate chiefs along with plunder, were the main souces of revenue. There was frequent conflicts between the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. It gave large scope to the Sangam poets to compose poem on war.

  

Economy 

The whole Tamilaham in this period was divided into five ‘Tinais’ or eco-zones based on their economic resources. These were Kurinji (hilly region), Palai (arid zone), Mullai (pastoral tract), Marudum (wet lands) and Neital (sea coasts). These zones were however, not clearly demarcated and were also scattered all over the region.

Because of different geographical contexts and ecological specialities, people in different ‘Tinais’ had their own modes of subsistence. For example in Kuringi, it was hunting and gathering, in Pallai due to its arid nature plundering and raiding were the only occupation, in Mullai people practiced animal husbandry, in Murudam it was plough agriculture and in Neital people took to fishing and salt making.

The most important feature of the Sangam economy was flourishing trade with the Roman world. It led to rise of important towns and craft centres in the Tamil region. Roman ships laden with gold used to come to Muzris, a port town in the Cheras chiefdom to take back large amounts of pepper. Madurai the capital of the Pandyas, is described in the Sangam poems as a large city enclosed by a wall. It was an important center of fine textiles and ivory workings. Korkai, in the Tirunnelveli district of Tamil Nadu was an important sea-port of the Pandyas. It was famous for its pearls. Uraiyur (Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu),  the capital of the Cholas, was a grand city with magnificent buildings.

Society 

Though the concept of Varna was known, social classes in the Sangam period were not marked by higher or lower rankings as in north India. For example, Brahmanas were present in the society and they performed Vedic ceremonies and sacrifices and also acted as advisers to the chief but they enjoyed no special privileges.

People were known on the basis of the occupation they practiced, such as artisans, salt merchants or textile merchants, etc. The rich lived in well decorated brick houses and wore costly clothes whereas the poor lived in mud huts and had scanty clothes to wear.

War heroes occupied a special position in society, and memorial stones called Madukal or Virrukkal were raised in honour of those who died in fighting and they were worshiped as godlings.

Women in the Sangam period appear to have been educated and also were engaged in various economic activities such as paddy plantation, cattle rearing, basket making, spinning, etc.