The Sangam Period (1st-3rd Century AD)

The Sangam Period (1st-3rd Century AD)

Three Early Kingdoms

The Cheras

• The Chera country occupied the portion of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• The capital of Cheras was Vanjji.
• Its main ports were Muzris and Tondi.
• The Romans set up two regiment at Muzris (identical with Cranganore) in Chera country. They also built a temple of Augustus at Muzris.
• One of the earliest and better known among Chera rulers was Udiyangeral. It is said that he fed both the armies of Kurukshetra war and so earned the title Udiyangeral.
• The greatest of Chera king, however was Senguttuvan or Red Chera. It is said that he invaded the North and even crossed the Ganges.
• He was also the founder of the famous Pattini cult related to worship of goddess of chastity-Kannagi.

The Cholas

• The Chola kingdom called Cholamandalam was situated to the North-East of Pandya kingdom between Pennar and Vellar rivers.
• The Chola kingdom corresponded to the modem Tanjore and Tiruchchirap-palli districts.
• Its inland capital was Uraiyaur, a place famous for cotton trade. One of the main sources of wealth for Cholas was trade in cotton cloth.
• Puharidentical with Ka veripa ttanamwas the main port of Cholas and served as alternative capital of Cholas.
• The earliest known Chola king was Elara who conquered Sri Lanka and ruled over it for nearly 50 years.
• Their greatest king was Karikala (man with charred leg) who founded Puhar (Ka veripa ttanam) and constructed 160 km of embankment along the Kaveri river with the help of 12,000 Sri Lankan slaves.
• They maintained an efficient navy.
• The Cholas were wiped out in the attack of Pallavas from the North.

The Pandyas

• The Pandyas were first mentioned by Megasthanese, who said their kingdom was famous for pearls.
• The Pandya territory included modern districts of Tirunelvelli, Ramand and Madurai in Tamil Nadu. It had its capital at Madurai, situated on the banks of Vaigai river.
• The Pandya king profited from trade with Roman Empire and sent emissaries to Roman emperor Augustus and Trojan.
• The Pandyas find mention in the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• The earliest known Pandyan ruler was Mudukudumi.
• The greatest Pandya king Nendujelian accused Kovalan of theft. As a result, the city of Madurai was laid under a curse by Kannagi (Kovalan's wife).

Sangam Administration

• The king was the centre of administration. He was called Ko, Mannam, Vendan Korravan or Iraivan.
• Avai was the court of the crowned monarch.
• Important officials (Panchmahasabha): 1. Amaichchar(Ministers) 2. Purohitar (Priests) 3. Dutar (Envoys) 4. Senapatiyar (Commander) 5. Orar (Spies).
• The kingdom was divided into Mandalam/Nadu(Province), Ur (town), Perur (Big village), Sirur (Smallvillage).
• Pattinam (Name of coastal town), Puhar (Harbourareas), Cheri (Suburb of town).
• Revenue Administration: Karai(Land Tax), Irai (Tributepaid by feudatories and booty collected in war), Ulgu(Custom duties), Iravu (Extra demand or forced gift),Variyam (A well known unit of territory yielding tax),Variyar (Tax collector).
• It is said that in Chola territory, watered by Kaveri, the space in which an elephant could lie down produced enough to feed seven persons. It implies the lands were very fertile with irrigation facilities.

Sangam Literature

• Sangam was an assembly of Tamil poets held under royal patronage of Pandyan kings in Madurai. According totradition, the assembly lasted for 9,990 years and was attended by 8,598 poets and 197 Pandyan kings.
• The first Sangam was attended by Gods and legendary sages. All its works have perished.
• Of the second Sangam, the only surviving work is Tolkappiyam, an early work on Tamil grammar written by Tolakapiyyar.
• Of the third Sangam, most of the works are surviving. These are Ettutogai (i.e. 8 anthologies), Pattupattu (i.e. 10 idylls), Patinenkilakanakku (i.e. 18 didactical texts) etc.
• Ettutogai and Pattupattu are called Melakanakku (18 major works) and narrative in form. Patinenkanakku is called Kilakanakku (18 minor works) and didactive in form.
• Kural or Muppal, a pari of Pntinenkilakannkku and written by Tiruvalluvar is called 'The Bible of TamilLand'. It is treatise on polity, ethics and social norms.
  The Epics Silappadikaram, Manimekalai, SlvagaSindamani etc.
• Silappadikaram (the story of the Anklet) : Written by Ilango Adigal, it deals with the story of Kovalan and Madhavi of Kaveripattinam. It is called 'Illiyad of Tamil poetry'.
• Manimekalai: Written by SittalaiSattanar, it deals with the adventures of Manimekalai, the daughter born of Kovalan and Madhavi. It is a sequel to Silappadikaramand strongly tinged with Buddhism.
• Sivaga Sindamani Qivaka Chintamani): Written by Jain Tiruttakrdevas and strongly tinged with Jainism.
• Bharatam : Written by Perudevanar.