Tamizhakam [The Sangam Age]
Background:-
- The beginnings of the megalithic culture can be traced to circa 1000 BC., in deep south. In most cases, the megalithic phase lasted from about the fifth century to first century B.C.
- The Megaliths are found in all upland areas of the peninsula, but their concentration is found to be more in Eastern Andhra and in Tamil Nadu.
- The word "megalithic" mean the structures made of large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or concrete, as well as representing periods of prehistory characterised by such constructions.
- People used various types of pottery including red ware, black and red ware.
- People had the practice of burying goods along with the dead bodies in graves. These goods, they thought that the dead would use in next world.
- The goods included arrowheads, spearheads, hoes and sickles made of iron. Agricultural implements were less when compared to the tools used for fighting and hunting.
- This indicates that people inhabiting upland areas are not yet familiar with advanced agriculture methods which were existing in northern parts of India.
- They cultivated rice and ragi but did not move to fertile low lands.
- Trident was also found in the megaliths.
State Formation in deep south:-
By third century Bc., the megalithic people had moved from the uplands into fertile river basins and reclaimed marshy deltaic areas.
The state formation began to progress rapidly mainly due to these reasons:-
1. Interaction with northern part of India.
The route to south was called Dakshinapatha and was valued by the northerners as the south provided gold, pearls and precious metals.
This also brought about cultural contacts between the north and deep south. For instance - The Pandya country was known to Megasthenes who lived in pataliputra which was the capital of Magadhan empire.
2. Impact of Jaina and Buddhist missionaries
3. Roman trade.
Tamizhakam
Deep South or Tamizhakam - the southern end of the Indian peninsula situated south of the krishna river was divided into three kingdoms namely, the Chola, the Pandya and the Chera.
The Pandyas
Capital :- Madurai
Geography : -
The southern-most and the south-eastern portion of the Indian Peninsula. Modern districts of Tirunaelveli , Ramnad and Madurai in Tamil Nadu were part of Pandyan territory.
Early references :-
The Pandyas were first mentioned by Megasthenes. Megasthenes said that the kingdom of the Pandyas was celebrated for pearls.
Megasthenes also spoke of Pandyas being ruled by a woman.
Economy:-
The Sangam literature refers to Pandya rulers and from the literature, it can be inferred that Pandya was economically rich and prosperous.
The Pandyas were engaged in trade with Roman empire and sent embassies to the Roman emperor Augustus.
The Cholas:
The Cholas ruled over Chola kingdom which was called Cholamandalam(Coromandel).
Capital :-Kaveripattanam (Puhar)
Geography:-It was situated to the North-East of the territory of Pandyas, between the Pennar and the Velar rivers.
Economy:-
- Cholas were engaged in cotton trade. Their chief center of political power lay at Uraiyur , a place famous for cotton trade.
- During the middle of second century BC., a chola King named Elara conquered Sri Lanka and ruled over it for nearly 50 years.
- Karikala, one of the greatest Chola rulers found Puhar and constructed 160 kms of embankment along the Kaveri river. This embankment is called Kallanai or the Grand Anicut.
- Cholas maintained efficent navy.
Downfall
- The Chola power rapidly declined under Karikala's Successors.
- Their capital Kaveripattanam was overwhelmed and destroyed.
- Their two neighbouring powers cheras and pandyas, extended at the cost of the cholas. What remained of the chola power was almost wiped out by the attacks of the pallavas from the north.
The Cheras:
Capital :-
Karur
Geography:-
It was situated to the west and north of the land of Pandyas. It included the narrow strip of the land between the sea and the mountains and covered portions of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Economy:-
Roman trade was very significant for the Cheras.
The Romans set up two regiments at Muziris identical with Cranganore in the Chera country to protect their interests. It is said that they also built there a temple of Augustus.
Greatest Ruler:-
Senguttuvan was the greatest ruler among the Cheras.
It is said that he invaded the north and crossed the Ganga.
His navy was the best in the world during his time.
Common aspects of the kingdoms of Tamizhakam:-
- The three kingdoms grew many spices specially pepper had a great demand in the western world.
- Their elephants supplied Ivory , which was highly valued in the west.
- Pearls were obtained from the sea.
- The Tamizhakam had rich mines which produces precious stones.
- The three kingdoms produces muslin and silk.
Social classes:
- The Brahmanas first appear in the Tamil land in the sangam age.
- Many brahmanas funcioned as poets, and in this role they were generously rewarded by the king.
- Karikala is said to have given one poet 1,600,000 gold pieces but this seems exageration.
- The Tamil Brahmanas took meat and wine. The kshatriyas and vaishyas appear as regular varnas in the Sangam texts.
- But the class of warriors was an important element in the polity and society.
- Captains of the army were invested with the title of 'enadi' at a formal ceremony.
- Civil and military offices were held under both the Cholas and the Pandyas by 'Vellalas' or rich peasants who were the masters of the soil. Uzhavars were the ploughsmen who cultivated the land.
- The ruling class was called 'Arasar', and its members had marriage relations with Vellalas.
Tamil Language and Sangam Literature:
- The Sangam was a college or assembly of Tamil Poets held unde royal patronage.
- It is stated in a Tamil commentary of the middle of the eight century A.D that three Sangams lasted for 9,990 years.
- They were attended by 8,598 poets, and had 197 pandya kings as patrons.
- A Sangam was held under royal patronage in Madurai.
- The available Sangam literature, which was produced by these assemblies, was compiled in circa A.D 300-600.
- The Sangam literature was roughly divided into two groups, narrative and didactic.
- The narrative texts are called Melkannakku or Eighteen Major works. They comprise eighteen major works consisting of Eight anthologies and ten idylls.
- The didactic work are called Kilkanakku or Eighteen Minor Works.
Social aspects of Tamizhakam understood from the Sangam texts and other literary sources:-
- The traces of early megalithic life appear in the Sangam texts.
- The texts suggest that war booty was an important souce of livelihood.
- They also state that when a hero dies he is reduced to a piece of stone.
- It may have led to the later practice of raising hero stones called 'virarkal' in honour of the heroes who died fighting for kins and other objects.
- The didactic texts cover the early centuries of christian era and prescribe a code of conduct not only for the king and his court but also various social groups and occupations.
Other literary sources:-
Tolkkappiyam
It deals with grammar and poetics.
Written by Tholkappiyar.
Tirukkural
It is the Tamil text that deals with philosophy and wise maxims.
Written by Thiruvalluvar.
The twin Tamil epics - Silappadikaram and Manimekalai:-
They were composed around sixth century A.D.
Silappadikaram:-
- Written by Ilango Adigal.
- It is considered to be brightest gem of early Tamil literature.
- It deals with a love story in which a merchant, Kovalan from Kaveripattanam prefers a courtesan called Madhavi to his wife Kannagi.
- Kannagi loses her husband after a set of events and Kannagi curses to destroy the city of Madurai (Capital of Pandyas) as Pandya ruler was responsible for her husband's death.
Manimekalai:-
Written by Sattanar.
It deals with the adventures of the daughter born of the union of Kovalan and Madhavi.
Civaka Cintamani:-
It is a Jain religious epic penned by Tirutakkadevar.
Source - Targetcivils
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