Sangam Age – The Tamil Kingdoms | Tamil Nadu State PSC (TNPSC): Preparation - TNPSC (Tamil Nadu) PDF Download

 Page 1


2. SANGAM AGE – THE TAMIL KINGDOMS
The history of the Tamil country becomes clear only from
the Sangam period. The word Sangam means an association. Here,
it refers to the Tamil Sangam, an association of Tamil poets, which
flourished in ancient Tamil Nadu. These Tamil poets had composed
the Sangam literature. The period in which these literature were
composed is called the Sangam Age in the history of Tamil Nadu.
During this age there were three Tamil Kingdoms, namely the
Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms in the Tamil country. They
were popularly known as Muvendar.
Sources:
The historical sources for the Sangam Age may classified
into
1. Literary Sources
2. Archaeological sources and
3. Foreign Accounts.
Literary Sources:
The Sangam literature chiefly consists of Tolkappiyam,
Ettuttogai and Pattuppattu. These works provide valuable
information to know the history of the Sangam Age. Among these,
Tolkappiyam was the earliest.
Fig. 5. Tamil Goddess
Try to know what are the works in Ettuthogai and
        Pathupattu.
1. Sivaka Chinthamani
2. Kundalakesi
3. Pattupattu
4. Valayapathi
5. Manimegalai
6. Ettuttogai
7. Silappathigaram
11 12
SANGAM	AGE	–	THE	TAMIL	KINGDOMS
Page 2


2. SANGAM AGE – THE TAMIL KINGDOMS
The history of the Tamil country becomes clear only from
the Sangam period. The word Sangam means an association. Here,
it refers to the Tamil Sangam, an association of Tamil poets, which
flourished in ancient Tamil Nadu. These Tamil poets had composed
the Sangam literature. The period in which these literature were
composed is called the Sangam Age in the history of Tamil Nadu.
During this age there were three Tamil Kingdoms, namely the
Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms in the Tamil country. They
were popularly known as Muvendar.
Sources:
The historical sources for the Sangam Age may classified
into
1. Literary Sources
2. Archaeological sources and
3. Foreign Accounts.
Literary Sources:
The Sangam literature chiefly consists of Tolkappiyam,
Ettuttogai and Pattuppattu. These works provide valuable
information to know the history of the Sangam Age. Among these,
Tolkappiyam was the earliest.
Fig. 5. Tamil Goddess
Try to know what are the works in Ettuthogai and
        Pathupattu.
1. Sivaka Chinthamani
2. Kundalakesi
3. Pattupattu
4. Valayapathi
5. Manimegalai
6. Ettuttogai
7. Silappathigaram
11 12
SANGAM	AGE	–	THE	TAMIL	KINGDOMS
2. SANGAM AGE – THE TAMIL KINGDOMS
The history of the Tamil country becomes clear only from
the Sangam period. The word Sangam means an association. Here,
it refers to the Tamil Sangam, an association of Tamil poets, which
flourished in ancient Tamil Nadu. These Tamil poets had composed
the Sangam literature. The period in which these literature were
composed is called the Sangam Age in the history of Tamil Nadu.
During this age there were three Tamil Kingdoms, namely the
Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms in the Tamil country. They
were popularly known as Muvendar.
Sources:
The historical sources for the Sangam Age may classified
into
1. Literary Sources
2. Archaeological sources and
3. Foreign Accounts.
Literary Sources:
The Sangam literature chiefly consists of Tolkappiyam,
Ettuttogai and Pattuppattu. These works provide valuable
information to know the history of the Sangam Age. Among these,
Tolkappiyam was the earliest.
Fig. 5. Tamil Goddess
Try to know what are the works in Ettuthogai and
        Pathupattu.
1. Sivaka Chinthamani
2. Kundalakesi
3. Pattupattu
4. Valayapathi
5. Manimegalai
6. Ettuttogai
7. Silappathigaram
11 12
Page 3


2. SANGAM AGE – THE TAMIL KINGDOMS
The history of the Tamil country becomes clear only from
the Sangam period. The word Sangam means an association. Here,
it refers to the Tamil Sangam, an association of Tamil poets, which
flourished in ancient Tamil Nadu. These Tamil poets had composed
the Sangam literature. The period in which these literature were
composed is called the Sangam Age in the history of Tamil Nadu.
During this age there were three Tamil Kingdoms, namely the
Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms in the Tamil country. They
were popularly known as Muvendar.
Sources:
The historical sources for the Sangam Age may classified
into
1. Literary Sources
2. Archaeological sources and
3. Foreign Accounts.
Literary Sources:
The Sangam literature chiefly consists of Tolkappiyam,
Ettuttogai and Pattuppattu. These works provide valuable
information to know the history of the Sangam Age. Among these,
Tolkappiyam was the earliest.
Fig. 5. Tamil Goddess
Try to know what are the works in Ettuthogai and
        Pathupattu.
1. Sivaka Chinthamani
2. Kundalakesi
3. Pattupattu
4. Valayapathi
5. Manimegalai
6. Ettuttogai
7. Silappathigaram
11 12
SANGAM	AGE	–	THE	TAMIL	KINGDOMS
2. SANGAM AGE – THE TAMIL KINGDOMS
The history of the Tamil country becomes clear only from
the Sangam period. The word Sangam means an association. Here,
it refers to the Tamil Sangam, an association of Tamil poets, which
flourished in ancient Tamil Nadu. These Tamil poets had composed
the Sangam literature. The period in which these literature were
composed is called the Sangam Age in the history of Tamil Nadu.
During this age there were three Tamil Kingdoms, namely the
Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms in the Tamil country. They
were popularly known as Muvendar.
Sources:
The historical sources for the Sangam Age may classified
into
1. Literary Sources
2. Archaeological sources and
3. Foreign Accounts.
Literary Sources:
The Sangam literature chiefly consists of Tolkappiyam,
Ettuttogai and Pattuppattu. These works provide valuable
information to know the history of the Sangam Age. Among these,
Tolkappiyam was the earliest.
Fig. 5. Tamil Goddess
Try to know what are the works in Ettuthogai and
        Pathupattu.
1. Sivaka Chinthamani
2. Kundalakesi
3. Pattupattu
4. Valayapathi
5. Manimegalai
6. Ettuttogai
7. Silappathigaram
11 12
During the post-Sangam period, the Pathinen Kilkanakku or
the Eighteen Works was composed. The twin epics - Silappathigaram
and Manimegalai - also belonged to the post-Sangam period. All
these literature help us to know the society, economy and culture of the
ancient Tamils.
Archaeological Sources:
The archaeological sources for the Sangam period are limited.
They may be classified into (a) Epigraphy (b) Excavations and (c)
Coins.
Epigraphy:
Epigraphical information for the Sangam period is scanty.
The Asokan Edicts refers to the Chera, Chola and Pandya
kingdoms. The Hathikumba Inscription of the Kalinga king,
Kharavela also mentions the three Tamil Kingdoms. The
Kalugumalai inscriptions help us to know about ancient Tamil
scripts called Tamil Brahmi. The Tirukkovalur inscriptions refer
to the local chieftains and the tragic end of the Tamil Poet, Kapilar.
The inscriptions at Tirupparankundrum mention the gift of cave
beds to the Jain monks. The inscriptions found at Arnattar hills,
near Pugalur belonged to the First Century A.D. and these
inscriptions furnish information regarding the Chera kings.
Excavations:
Several monuments of this period have been brought to light
by the excavations conducted at various places in Tamil Nadu.
Robert Bruce Foote conducted excavations at Adhichanallur
where he had found a large number of articles made of iron, bronze
and gold. They depict the life of the ancient Tamils. Dubreuil and
Mortimer Wheeler also made excavations at Arikkamedu near
Pondicherry. Roman pottery, glass bowls, gems and coins have
been found there. These findings confirm the commercial contacts
between the Roman Empire and Tamil country during the Sangam Age.
A Buddhist Vihara was found at Kilaiyur near Kaverippumpattinam.
It belonged to the post-Sangam period. Other important sites of
excavations are Uraiyur, Kanchipuram and Kodumanal.
The under-water archaeology has also developed recently and
excavations have been made under the sea near Poompuhar. A
shipwreck has been found there. These findings focus much light on the
history of the Sangam period.
Try to know the significance of the excavations
made at Arikkamedu and Adhichanallur.
Coins:
The study of coins is called numismatics. We get useful historical
information from the study of ancient coins. The Tamil Kings of the
Sangam period issued gold and silver coins but they are not found in
large numbers. However, Roman coins made of gold and silver, are
found all over Tamil Nadu. These coins further confirm the trade relations
between Tamil country and Rome during the Sangam Age.
Foreign Accounts:
In addition to the Sangam literature, foreign literary accounts
remain useful sources for the study of the Sangam Age. Greek and
Roman writers had mentioned about the society and economy of the
Sangam Tamils in their accounts. Megasthanes in his book Indica
also referred to the three Tamil Kingdoms. Other authors such as Strabo,
Pliny and Ptolemy provide valuable information regarding the Sangam
Age. The Ceylonese books - Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa –help us
to fix the date of the Sangam.
13 14
Page 4


2. SANGAM AGE – THE TAMIL KINGDOMS
The history of the Tamil country becomes clear only from
the Sangam period. The word Sangam means an association. Here,
it refers to the Tamil Sangam, an association of Tamil poets, which
flourished in ancient Tamil Nadu. These Tamil poets had composed
the Sangam literature. The period in which these literature were
composed is called the Sangam Age in the history of Tamil Nadu.
During this age there were three Tamil Kingdoms, namely the
Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms in the Tamil country. They
were popularly known as Muvendar.
Sources:
The historical sources for the Sangam Age may classified
into
1. Literary Sources
2. Archaeological sources and
3. Foreign Accounts.
Literary Sources:
The Sangam literature chiefly consists of Tolkappiyam,
Ettuttogai and Pattuppattu. These works provide valuable
information to know the history of the Sangam Age. Among these,
Tolkappiyam was the earliest.
Fig. 5. Tamil Goddess
Try to know what are the works in Ettuthogai and
        Pathupattu.
1. Sivaka Chinthamani
2. Kundalakesi
3. Pattupattu
4. Valayapathi
5. Manimegalai
6. Ettuttogai
7. Silappathigaram
11 12
SANGAM	AGE	–	THE	TAMIL	KINGDOMS
2. SANGAM AGE – THE TAMIL KINGDOMS
The history of the Tamil country becomes clear only from
the Sangam period. The word Sangam means an association. Here,
it refers to the Tamil Sangam, an association of Tamil poets, which
flourished in ancient Tamil Nadu. These Tamil poets had composed
the Sangam literature. The period in which these literature were
composed is called the Sangam Age in the history of Tamil Nadu.
During this age there were three Tamil Kingdoms, namely the
Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms in the Tamil country. They
were popularly known as Muvendar.
Sources:
The historical sources for the Sangam Age may classified
into
1. Literary Sources
2. Archaeological sources and
3. Foreign Accounts.
Literary Sources:
The Sangam literature chiefly consists of Tolkappiyam,
Ettuttogai and Pattuppattu. These works provide valuable
information to know the history of the Sangam Age. Among these,
Tolkappiyam was the earliest.
Fig. 5. Tamil Goddess
Try to know what are the works in Ettuthogai and
        Pathupattu.
1. Sivaka Chinthamani
2. Kundalakesi
3. Pattupattu
4. Valayapathi
5. Manimegalai
6. Ettuttogai
7. Silappathigaram
11 12
During the post-Sangam period, the Pathinen Kilkanakku or
the Eighteen Works was composed. The twin epics - Silappathigaram
and Manimegalai - also belonged to the post-Sangam period. All
these literature help us to know the society, economy and culture of the
ancient Tamils.
Archaeological Sources:
The archaeological sources for the Sangam period are limited.
They may be classified into (a) Epigraphy (b) Excavations and (c)
Coins.
Epigraphy:
Epigraphical information for the Sangam period is scanty.
The Asokan Edicts refers to the Chera, Chola and Pandya
kingdoms. The Hathikumba Inscription of the Kalinga king,
Kharavela also mentions the three Tamil Kingdoms. The
Kalugumalai inscriptions help us to know about ancient Tamil
scripts called Tamil Brahmi. The Tirukkovalur inscriptions refer
to the local chieftains and the tragic end of the Tamil Poet, Kapilar.
The inscriptions at Tirupparankundrum mention the gift of cave
beds to the Jain monks. The inscriptions found at Arnattar hills,
near Pugalur belonged to the First Century A.D. and these
inscriptions furnish information regarding the Chera kings.
Excavations:
Several monuments of this period have been brought to light
by the excavations conducted at various places in Tamil Nadu.
Robert Bruce Foote conducted excavations at Adhichanallur
where he had found a large number of articles made of iron, bronze
and gold. They depict the life of the ancient Tamils. Dubreuil and
Mortimer Wheeler also made excavations at Arikkamedu near
Pondicherry. Roman pottery, glass bowls, gems and coins have
been found there. These findings confirm the commercial contacts
between the Roman Empire and Tamil country during the Sangam Age.
A Buddhist Vihara was found at Kilaiyur near Kaverippumpattinam.
It belonged to the post-Sangam period. Other important sites of
excavations are Uraiyur, Kanchipuram and Kodumanal.
The under-water archaeology has also developed recently and
excavations have been made under the sea near Poompuhar. A
shipwreck has been found there. These findings focus much light on the
history of the Sangam period.
Try to know the significance of the excavations
made at Arikkamedu and Adhichanallur.
Coins:
The study of coins is called numismatics. We get useful historical
information from the study of ancient coins. The Tamil Kings of the
Sangam period issued gold and silver coins but they are not found in
large numbers. However, Roman coins made of gold and silver, are
found all over Tamil Nadu. These coins further confirm the trade relations
between Tamil country and Rome during the Sangam Age.
Foreign Accounts:
In addition to the Sangam literature, foreign literary accounts
remain useful sources for the study of the Sangam Age. Greek and
Roman writers had mentioned about the society and economy of the
Sangam Tamils in their accounts. Megasthanes in his book Indica
also referred to the three Tamil Kingdoms. Other authors such as Strabo,
Pliny and Ptolemy provide valuable information regarding the Sangam
Age. The Ceylonese books - Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa –help us
to fix the date of the Sangam.
13 14
During the post-Sangam period, the Pathinen Kilkanakku or
the Eighteen Works was composed. The twin epics - Silappathigaram
and Manimegalai - also belonged to the post-Sangam period. All
these literature help us to know the society, economy and culture of the
ancient Tamils.
Archaeological Sources:
The archaeological sources for the Sangam period are limited.
They may be classified into (a) Epigraphy (b) Excavations and (c)
Coins.
Epigraphy:
Epigraphical information for the Sangam period is scanty.
The Asokan Edicts refers to the Chera, Chola and Pandya
kingdoms. The Hathikumba Inscription of the Kalinga king,
Kharavela also mentions the three Tamil Kingdoms. The
Kalugumalai inscriptions help us to know about ancient Tamil
scripts called Tamil Brahmi. The Tirukkovalur inscriptions refer
to the local chieftains and the tragic end of the Tamil Poet, Kapilar.
The inscriptions at Tirupparankundrum mention the gift of cave
beds to the Jain monks. The inscriptions found at Arnattar hills,
near Pugalur belonged to the First Century A.D. and these
inscriptions furnish information regarding the Chera kings.
Excavations:
Several monuments of this period have been brought to light
by the excavations conducted at various places in Tamil Nadu.
Robert Bruce Foote conducted excavations at Adhichanallur
where he had found a large number of articles made of iron, bronze
and gold. They depict the life of the ancient Tamils. Dubreuil and
Mortimer Wheeler also made excavations at Arikkamedu near
Pondicherry. Roman pottery, glass bowls, gems and coins have
been found there. These findings confirm the commercial contacts
between the Roman Empire and Tamil country during the Sangam Age.
A Buddhist Vihara was found at Kilaiyur near Kaverippumpattinam.
It belonged to the post-Sangam period. Other important sites of
excavations are Uraiyur, Kanchipuram and Kodumanal.
The under-water archaeology has also developed recently and
excavations have been made under the sea near Poompuhar. A
shipwreck has been found there. These findings focus much light on the
history of the Sangam period.
Try to know the significance of the excavations
made at Arikkamedu and Adhichanallur.
Coins:
The study of coins is called numismatics. We get useful historical
information from the study of ancient coins. The Tamil Kings of the
Sangam period issued gold and silver coins but they are not found in
large numbers. However, Roman coins made of gold and silver, are
found all over Tamil Nadu. These coins further confirm the trade relations
between Tamil country and Rome during the Sangam Age.
Foreign Accounts:
In addition to the Sangam literature, foreign literary accounts
remain useful sources for the study of the Sangam Age. Greek and
Roman writers had mentioned about the society and economy of the
Sangam Tamils in their accounts. Megasthanes in his book Indica
also referred to the three Tamil Kingdoms. Other authors such as Strabo,
Pliny and Ptolemy provide valuable information regarding the Sangam
Age. The Ceylonese books - Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa –help us
to fix the date of the Sangam.
13 14
Page 5


2. SANGAM AGE – THE TAMIL KINGDOMS
The history of the Tamil country becomes clear only from
the Sangam period. The word Sangam means an association. Here,
it refers to the Tamil Sangam, an association of Tamil poets, which
flourished in ancient Tamil Nadu. These Tamil poets had composed
the Sangam literature. The period in which these literature were
composed is called the Sangam Age in the history of Tamil Nadu.
During this age there were three Tamil Kingdoms, namely the
Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms in the Tamil country. They
were popularly known as Muvendar.
Sources:
The historical sources for the Sangam Age may classified
into
1. Literary Sources
2. Archaeological sources and
3. Foreign Accounts.
Literary Sources:
The Sangam literature chiefly consists of Tolkappiyam,
Ettuttogai and Pattuppattu. These works provide valuable
information to know the history of the Sangam Age. Among these,
Tolkappiyam was the earliest.
Fig. 5. Tamil Goddess
Try to know what are the works in Ettuthogai and
        Pathupattu.
1. Sivaka Chinthamani
2. Kundalakesi
3. Pattupattu
4. Valayapathi
5. Manimegalai
6. Ettuttogai
7. Silappathigaram
11 12
SANGAM	AGE	–	THE	TAMIL	KINGDOMS
2. SANGAM AGE – THE TAMIL KINGDOMS
The history of the Tamil country becomes clear only from
the Sangam period. The word Sangam means an association. Here,
it refers to the Tamil Sangam, an association of Tamil poets, which
flourished in ancient Tamil Nadu. These Tamil poets had composed
the Sangam literature. The period in which these literature were
composed is called the Sangam Age in the history of Tamil Nadu.
During this age there were three Tamil Kingdoms, namely the
Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms in the Tamil country. They
were popularly known as Muvendar.
Sources:
The historical sources for the Sangam Age may classified
into
1. Literary Sources
2. Archaeological sources and
3. Foreign Accounts.
Literary Sources:
The Sangam literature chiefly consists of Tolkappiyam,
Ettuttogai and Pattuppattu. These works provide valuable
information to know the history of the Sangam Age. Among these,
Tolkappiyam was the earliest.
Fig. 5. Tamil Goddess
Try to know what are the works in Ettuthogai and
        Pathupattu.
1. Sivaka Chinthamani
2. Kundalakesi
3. Pattupattu
4. Valayapathi
5. Manimegalai
6. Ettuttogai
7. Silappathigaram
11 12
During the post-Sangam period, the Pathinen Kilkanakku or
the Eighteen Works was composed. The twin epics - Silappathigaram
and Manimegalai - also belonged to the post-Sangam period. All
these literature help us to know the society, economy and culture of the
ancient Tamils.
Archaeological Sources:
The archaeological sources for the Sangam period are limited.
They may be classified into (a) Epigraphy (b) Excavations and (c)
Coins.
Epigraphy:
Epigraphical information for the Sangam period is scanty.
The Asokan Edicts refers to the Chera, Chola and Pandya
kingdoms. The Hathikumba Inscription of the Kalinga king,
Kharavela also mentions the three Tamil Kingdoms. The
Kalugumalai inscriptions help us to know about ancient Tamil
scripts called Tamil Brahmi. The Tirukkovalur inscriptions refer
to the local chieftains and the tragic end of the Tamil Poet, Kapilar.
The inscriptions at Tirupparankundrum mention the gift of cave
beds to the Jain monks. The inscriptions found at Arnattar hills,
near Pugalur belonged to the First Century A.D. and these
inscriptions furnish information regarding the Chera kings.
Excavations:
Several monuments of this period have been brought to light
by the excavations conducted at various places in Tamil Nadu.
Robert Bruce Foote conducted excavations at Adhichanallur
where he had found a large number of articles made of iron, bronze
and gold. They depict the life of the ancient Tamils. Dubreuil and
Mortimer Wheeler also made excavations at Arikkamedu near
Pondicherry. Roman pottery, glass bowls, gems and coins have
been found there. These findings confirm the commercial contacts
between the Roman Empire and Tamil country during the Sangam Age.
A Buddhist Vihara was found at Kilaiyur near Kaverippumpattinam.
It belonged to the post-Sangam period. Other important sites of
excavations are Uraiyur, Kanchipuram and Kodumanal.
The under-water archaeology has also developed recently and
excavations have been made under the sea near Poompuhar. A
shipwreck has been found there. These findings focus much light on the
history of the Sangam period.
Try to know the significance of the excavations
made at Arikkamedu and Adhichanallur.
Coins:
The study of coins is called numismatics. We get useful historical
information from the study of ancient coins. The Tamil Kings of the
Sangam period issued gold and silver coins but they are not found in
large numbers. However, Roman coins made of gold and silver, are
found all over Tamil Nadu. These coins further confirm the trade relations
between Tamil country and Rome during the Sangam Age.
Foreign Accounts:
In addition to the Sangam literature, foreign literary accounts
remain useful sources for the study of the Sangam Age. Greek and
Roman writers had mentioned about the society and economy of the
Sangam Tamils in their accounts. Megasthanes in his book Indica
also referred to the three Tamil Kingdoms. Other authors such as Strabo,
Pliny and Ptolemy provide valuable information regarding the Sangam
Age. The Ceylonese books - Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa –help us
to fix the date of the Sangam.
13 14
During the post-Sangam period, the Pathinen Kilkanakku or
the Eighteen Works was composed. The twin epics - Silappathigaram
and Manimegalai - also belonged to the post-Sangam period. All
these literature help us to know the society, economy and culture of the
ancient Tamils.
Archaeological Sources:
The archaeological sources for the Sangam period are limited.
They may be classified into (a) Epigraphy (b) Excavations and (c)
Coins.
Epigraphy:
Epigraphical information for the Sangam period is scanty.
The Asokan Edicts refers to the Chera, Chola and Pandya
kingdoms. The Hathikumba Inscription of the Kalinga king,
Kharavela also mentions the three Tamil Kingdoms. The
Kalugumalai inscriptions help us to know about ancient Tamil
scripts called Tamil Brahmi. The Tirukkovalur inscriptions refer
to the local chieftains and the tragic end of the Tamil Poet, Kapilar.
The inscriptions at Tirupparankundrum mention the gift of cave
beds to the Jain monks. The inscriptions found at Arnattar hills,
near Pugalur belonged to the First Century A.D. and these
inscriptions furnish information regarding the Chera kings.
Excavations:
Several monuments of this period have been brought to light
by the excavations conducted at various places in Tamil Nadu.
Robert Bruce Foote conducted excavations at Adhichanallur
where he had found a large number of articles made of iron, bronze
and gold. They depict the life of the ancient Tamils. Dubreuil and
Mortimer Wheeler also made excavations at Arikkamedu near
Pondicherry. Roman pottery, glass bowls, gems and coins have
been found there. These findings confirm the commercial contacts
between the Roman Empire and Tamil country during the Sangam Age.
A Buddhist Vihara was found at Kilaiyur near Kaverippumpattinam.
It belonged to the post-Sangam period. Other important sites of
excavations are Uraiyur, Kanchipuram and Kodumanal.
The under-water archaeology has also developed recently and
excavations have been made under the sea near Poompuhar. A
shipwreck has been found there. These findings focus much light on the
history of the Sangam period.
Try to know the significance of the excavations
made at Arikkamedu and Adhichanallur.
Coins:
The study of coins is called numismatics. We get useful historical
information from the study of ancient coins. The Tamil Kings of the
Sangam period issued gold and silver coins but they are not found in
large numbers. However, Roman coins made of gold and silver, are
found all over Tamil Nadu. These coins further confirm the trade relations
between Tamil country and Rome during the Sangam Age.
Foreign Accounts:
In addition to the Sangam literature, foreign literary accounts
remain useful sources for the study of the Sangam Age. Greek and
Roman writers had mentioned about the society and economy of the
Sangam Tamils in their accounts. Megasthanes in his book Indica
also referred to the three Tamil Kingdoms. Other authors such as Strabo,
Pliny and Ptolemy provide valuable information regarding the Sangam
Age. The Ceylonese books - Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa –help us
to fix the date of the Sangam.
13 14
Chronology of the Sangam Age
Chronology means the arranging of the historical events on the
basis of the date of happenings. It remains very difficult to find out the
exact date of the Sangam period. There are different opinions in fixing
the date of the Sangam. It is believed that there existed three Sangams.
The First Sangam had flourished at Then Madurai and the Second
Sangam at Kapadapuram. Since these two places were eroded into
the Indian Ocean, the Pandyan kings had established the Third Sangam
at Madurai. Many scholars did not believe the existence of Three
Sangams. However, the Sangam literature, which we possess now,
might have been composed during the period of the Third Sangam.
Hence, the Sangam Age that we come to know denotes only the Third
Sangam. Based on the literary, epigraphic and archaeological sources,
it is established by scholars that the Sangam Age flourished from Third
Century B.C. to Third Century A.D.
Tamil Kingdoms:
There were three important kingdoms, namely Chera, Chola
and Pandya kingdoms in the Tamil country during the Sangam
Age. In addition to these three kingdoms, there were also local
chieftains. The most famous among the local chieftains were the
Seven Patrons, popularly known as Kadaiyelu Vallalgal.
Chera Kingdom:
The Chera kings of the Sangam Age were known by many
titles such as Vanavar, Villavar and Malaiyar. There were two
important lines of Chera Kings. The first one started from Odiyan
Cheralathan and the second from Irumporai. The kings belonging
to these two lines ruled the Chera kingdom. Their capital was Vanji
and their chief port Thondi. Their symbol in the flag was bow and
arrow.
Fig. 6. Map -  Ancient Tamil Kingdoms
1. Korkai 2. Madurai
3. Kaverippumpattinam 4. Mamallapuram
5. Musiri 6. Thondi
7. Vanchi 8. River Thamiraparani
9. River Vaigai 10. Uraiyur
11. River Kaveri 12. River South Pennar
13. River Palar
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