1. Three Iron Age Kingdom
2. Sangam Age - according to Tamil legends, 3 sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) existed in Ancient TN called Muchchangam, flourished under royal patronage of the Pandyas. First Sangam (Madurai) attended by gods and legendary sages - no literary work available. Agastya Mahamuni, introduced caste system , rituals, Brahmin society. Second sangam - Kapadapuram - only Tolkappiyam (authored by Tolkappiyar, earliest of Tamil literature) remains. Third sangam - Madurai - founded by Mudathirumaran, few works survived. All these useful to reconstruct history of Sangam Age.
3. Corpus of Sangam literature includes - Tolkappiyam, Ettugotai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku and 2 epics - Silappatikaram (Ilango Adigal) and Manimekalai (Sittalai Sattanar). Tirukural written by Tiruvalluvar. Tolkappiyam - work on Tamil grammar, info on political and socio economic conditions of Sangam period. Other sources - Greek authors mention commercial contacts bw West and South India. Ashokan inscriptions mention Chera, Chola and Pandyas. Hathigumpha inscriptions of Kalinga, excavations.
4. Period of sangam literature - chronology is disputed. Most probable date - 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD on basis of literary, archaeological and numismatic evidences. Tamil country ruled by 3 dynasties - Chera, Chola and Pandyas during the Sangam Age. Muvendars (three chiefs) became powerful in ancient Tamil.
5.
6. Cheras - ruled over parts of modern Kerala. Capital - Vanji, seaports - Tondi & Musiri. Pugalur inscription from 1st AD refers to 3 generations of Chera rules. Famous rulers - Perum Sorru Udhiyan Cherelathan, Imayavaramban Nedum Cheralathan, Cheran Senguttuvan. He ruled in 2nd century AD, expedition to Himalayas remarkable, defeated many north Indian monarch. Introduced pattini cult or worship of Kannagi (brother was Illango).
7. Cholas - capital Uraiyur (Trichy), later Puhar (Kaveripatnam) (port city). Karikala famous king. Mentioned in Pattinappalai (Pattuppattu). Battle of Venni - defeated Cheras + Pandayas et al, event mentioned in Sangam poems, also for Battle of Vahaipparandalai. Trade and commerce flourished, reclamation of forest land to cultivate.
8. Pandyas - present day southern Tamil Nadu, capital at Madurai. 2 Neduncheliyans. Aryappadai Neduncheliyan - victories over Aryan forces, execution of Kannagi's husband. Cheruvenra Neduncheliyan - won the battle at Talaiyalanganam. Maduraikkanji by Mangudi Maruthanar describes socio-economic condition of Pandyas, flourishing sea port - Korkai. Decline due to invasion of Kalabhras
9. Sangam polity - hereditary monarchy, advice of - minister, court-poet and imperial court. King assisted by large body of officials divided into 5 councils - ministers, priests, military commanders, envoys and spies. Revenue - land, custom duty on foreign trade.
10. Society - 4 castes - arasar (ruling class), anthanar (polity and religion), vanigar (trade & commerce), vellalar (agriculturalists). Ploughmen - uzhavar and slaves - adimai. Ancient primitive tribes - Todas, Irulas, Nagas, Vedars lived in this period. Fivefold division of lands - Kurinji (hills - deity Murugan - hunting and honey collection), mullai (pastoral - Vishnu, cattle and dairy), mardam (agricultural - Indra, farming), neydal (coastal - varuna - fishing and salt mfg), palai (desert - deity kotravai - banditry). In North, village headman (gram bhojaka) which was a hereditary post and was the largest landowner. Judicial and police functions. Independent farmers known as grihapatis.
11. Religion - primary deity was Murugan or Seyon. Hero stone - erected in memory of bravery shown by warriors. Revival of Brahmanism and Buddhism, new religions were born 5 gods, Vasudev, Baldev, Samba (Son of Krishna), Pradyuman (Son of krishna), Aniruddha (Son of pradyuman)
12. Women position - women poets Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar and Kakkaipadiniyar - flourished and contributed. Women allowed to choose life partners. Widow life miserable, sati prevalent in higher strata. Fine arts - singing bards called Panar and Viraliyar. Kanigaiyar - dancers. Koothu - dance form, most popular entertainment.
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Name
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Region
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Capital
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Emblem
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Greatest King
|
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Cholas
|
Northen Tamil
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Kaveripatnam
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Tiger
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Karikala Chola
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|
Pandya
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Southern Tamil
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Madhurai
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Carp (2 fishes)
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Negjunjeliyan
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|
Chera
|
Kerala
|
Vanji
|
Bow and Arrow
|
Senguttavan
|
2. Sangam Age - according to Tamil legends, 3 sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) existed in Ancient TN called Muchchangam, flourished under royal patronage of the Pandyas. First Sangam (Madurai) attended by gods and legendary sages - no literary work available. Agastya Mahamuni, introduced caste system , rituals, Brahmin society. Second sangam - Kapadapuram - only Tolkappiyam (authored by Tolkappiyar, earliest of Tamil literature) remains. Third sangam - Madurai - founded by Mudathirumaran, few works survived. All these useful to reconstruct history of Sangam Age.
3. Corpus of Sangam literature includes - Tolkappiyam, Ettugotai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku and 2 epics - Silappatikaram (Ilango Adigal) and Manimekalai (Sittalai Sattanar). Tirukural written by Tiruvalluvar. Tolkappiyam - work on Tamil grammar, info on political and socio economic conditions of Sangam period. Other sources - Greek authors mention commercial contacts bw West and South India. Ashokan inscriptions mention Chera, Chola and Pandyas. Hathigumpha inscriptions of Kalinga, excavations.
4. Period of sangam literature - chronology is disputed. Most probable date - 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD on basis of literary, archaeological and numismatic evidences. Tamil country ruled by 3 dynasties - Chera, Chola and Pandyas during the Sangam Age. Muvendars (three chiefs) became powerful in ancient Tamil.
5.
6. Cheras - ruled over parts of modern Kerala. Capital - Vanji, seaports - Tondi & Musiri. Pugalur inscription from 1st AD refers to 3 generations of Chera rules. Famous rulers - Perum Sorru Udhiyan Cherelathan, Imayavaramban Nedum Cheralathan, Cheran Senguttuvan. He ruled in 2nd century AD, expedition to Himalayas remarkable, defeated many north Indian monarch. Introduced pattini cult or worship of Kannagi (brother was Illango).
7. Cholas - capital Uraiyur (Trichy), later Puhar (Kaveripatnam) (port city). Karikala famous king. Mentioned in Pattinappalai (Pattuppattu). Battle of Venni - defeated Cheras + Pandayas et al, event mentioned in Sangam poems, also for Battle of Vahaipparandalai. Trade and commerce flourished, reclamation of forest land to cultivate.
8. Pandyas - present day southern Tamil Nadu, capital at Madurai. 2 Neduncheliyans. Aryappadai Neduncheliyan - victories over Aryan forces, execution of Kannagi's husband. Cheruvenra Neduncheliyan - won the battle at Talaiyalanganam. Maduraikkanji by Mangudi Maruthanar describes socio-economic condition of Pandyas, flourishing sea port - Korkai. Decline due to invasion of Kalabhras
9. Sangam polity - hereditary monarchy, advice of - minister, court-poet and imperial court. King assisted by large body of officials divided into 5 councils - ministers, priests, military commanders, envoys and spies. Revenue - land, custom duty on foreign trade.
10. Society - 4 castes - arasar (ruling class), anthanar (polity and religion), vanigar (trade & commerce), vellalar (agriculturalists). Ploughmen - uzhavar and slaves - adimai. Ancient primitive tribes - Todas, Irulas, Nagas, Vedars lived in this period. Fivefold division of lands - Kurinji (hills - deity Murugan - hunting and honey collection), mullai (pastoral - Vishnu, cattle and dairy), mardam (agricultural - Indra, farming), neydal (coastal - varuna - fishing and salt mfg), palai (desert - deity kotravai - banditry). In North, village headman (gram bhojaka) which was a hereditary post and was the largest landowner. Judicial and police functions. Independent farmers known as grihapatis.
11. Religion - primary deity was Murugan or Seyon. Hero stone - erected in memory of bravery shown by warriors. Revival of Brahmanism and Buddhism, new religions were born 5 gods, Vasudev, Baldev, Samba (Son of Krishna), Pradyuman (Son of krishna), Aniruddha (Son of pradyuman)
12. Women position - women poets Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar and Kakkaipadiniyar - flourished and contributed. Women allowed to choose life partners. Widow life miserable, sati prevalent in higher strata. Fine arts - singing bards called Panar and Viraliyar. Kanigaiyar - dancers. Koothu - dance form, most popular entertainment.
13. Economy - agriculture, rice common crop. Handicrafts of sangam period popular - weaving, metal works, ship building, ornaments. Internal and eternal trade at peak during sangam period, Uraiyur cotton and pearl world famous. Gold and silver coins of Roman emperors found here. Exports - cotton, spices, ivory products, pearls. Imports - gold, horses and sweet wine. Trade was influenced by discovery of monsoon.
14. Silk route passed through India because of trouble created by Central Asia, (China-Tibet-Sikkim-North East-Deccan.
15. Did not collect regular taxes. Demanded and received gifts. Sangam poets composed poems in praise of these chiefs who rewarded them. Earliest coins were in use for 500 years were punched coins, made of - silver and copper. Designs were punched on silver or copper. Shrenis were associations of craft persons and merchants. Also served as banks where rich people deposited money.
16. Arikamedu (Pondicherry) was a famous sea port - Roman goods have been found here. Mentioned in Ptolemy's Geographia as Poduke
17. Decline - after 3rd century AD. Kalabhras occupied Tamil till 6th century AD. Jainism and Buddhism became prominent.
14. Silk route passed through India because of trouble created by Central Asia, (China-Tibet-Sikkim-North East-Deccan.
15. Did not collect regular taxes. Demanded and received gifts. Sangam poets composed poems in praise of these chiefs who rewarded them. Earliest coins were in use for 500 years were punched coins, made of - silver and copper. Designs were punched on silver or copper. Shrenis were associations of craft persons and merchants. Also served as banks where rich people deposited money.
16. Arikamedu (Pondicherry) was a famous sea port - Roman goods have been found here. Mentioned in Ptolemy's Geographia as Poduke
17. Decline - after 3rd century AD. Kalabhras occupied Tamil till 6th century AD. Jainism and Buddhism became prominent.
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