✨ Sangam Age (Sangam Age) – The Golden Era of Tamil Civilization & Literature 🏺📜
👉 In the post-Mauryan period, the Sangam Age held a unique place in South Indian history. Literature, art, and maritime trade enriched Tamil society. 🏹🌊##1️⃣ Sangam Literature (Sangam Literature) – The Confluence of Love, War, and Ethics
- 🔹 Total Sangams: 3 Sangams
- 🔹 Patrons: Pandya rulers
- 🔹 Location: Muchangam (Tamil region)
- 🔹 First Sangam: Madurai (Agastya), Second: Kapadapuram (Tolkappiyar), Third: Madurai (Nakkirar)
- 🔹 Grammar text: Tolkappiyam
- 🔹 Types of Literature:
- Narrative (Kadhakannakku): Melkannakku – 8 major works
- Didactic/Poetic (Kilkannakku): 18 minor works (Akam – Love, Puram – War)
- Major Works: Silappathikaram (Ilango Adigal), Manimegalai (Sattanar)
- ⭐️ Importance: Established a lasting influence of literature and ethics in South India.
2️⃣ Ruling Dynasties (Dynasties) – Pandya, Chola, and Chera
- 🔹 Pandya:
- Region: Tamil Nadu
- Capital: Madurai (on the banks of Vaigai River)
- Symbol: Fish
- Trade: Pearls, commerce with Rome
- Port: Korkai
- 🔹 Chola:
- Region: Between Penar & Vellar rivers
- Capitals: Uraiyur and Puhar (Kaveripattanam – port)
- Early ruler: Elara, Prominent ruler: Karikala (Vanni War)
- Symbol: Tiger
- Trade: Clothes and textiles
- 🔹 Chera:
- Region: Kerala & Tamil Nadu
- Capital: Vanji / Vanchi
- Ports: Muziris and Tondi
- Prominent ruler: Senguttuvan (Red Chera)
- Symbol: Bow and arrow
- Worship of Kannagi (goddess of chastity)
- ⭐️ Importance: Ensured stable political and economic structure in South India.
3️⃣ Society and Class Structure (Society & Lifestyle)
- 🔹 Ruling Class: Arasar
- 🔹 Wealthy Farmers: Vellalar
- 🔹 Lower Class: Kadai’siar
- ⭐️ Importance: Provides clear understanding of social hierarchy and lifestyle.
4️⃣ Geography and Economy (Geography & Economy)
- 🔹 Thinais – 5 geographical regions and their main activities:
- Kurinchi: Hunting and gathering
- Palai: Animal husbandry and banditry
- Mullai: Pastoralism
- Marutham: Agriculture
- Neithal: Fishing and salt production
- 🔹 Traders: Pandya & Chera ports, trade with Rome
- ⭐️ Importance: Geography and maritime trade promoted social and economic development.
5️⃣ Important Sites / Evidence (Important Sites / Evidence)
- 🔹 Sangam literature and poetry
- 🔹 Capitals: Madurai, Puhar, Vanchi
- 🔹 Ports: Korkai, Muziris
- 🔹 Ashokan inscriptions – Chera (Karalaputra), Pandya, Chola, Tamraparni
- ⭐️ Importance: Literature and inscriptions provide historical evidence.
🏁 Conclusion (Conclusion)
- The Sangam Age was the golden era of Tamil civilization, literature, politics, and maritime trade.
- Evolution Line: Sangam Age → Post-Mauryan South India → Chalukya, Pallava period → Medieval India 🇮🇳