Q. Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?

  • Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.
  • The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
  • Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic.
  • Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.

Answer: (b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.

Sangam Age:
  • The era spanning from the 3rd century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D. in South India, specifically the region south of the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers, is denoted as the Sangam Period. The era spanning from the 3rd century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D. During the Sangam Age, South India was ruled by three dynasties – Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas.
  • Traditionally, three Sangams or assemblies are believed to have been convened one after the other. All the three Sangams took place at different places under the patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.
  • According to Tamil legends, three sangams (gatherings of Tamil poets) were held in ancient South India, called Muchchangam.
    • The first Sangam is believed to have been held in Madurai. Deities and great saints were involved in this confluence. No literary texts of this Sangam are available.
    • The second Sangam was held at Kapatapuram, the only Tamil grammar text of this Sangam available in Tolkappiyam.
    • The third Sangam was also held in Madurai, left behind a few Tamil literary compositions that serve as valuable sources for understanding the historical context of the Sangam period.

Sangam Literature:

  • The corpus of Sangam literature includes Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and the two epics – Silappathigaram and Manimegalai.
  • Both Ettutogai and Pattuppattu were divided into two main groups – Aham (love) and Puram (valour).
  • Pathinenkilkanakku contains eighteen works mostly dealing with ethics and morals. The most important among them is Tirukkural authored by Thiruvalluvar.
  • Silappathigaram written by Elango Adigal and Manimegalai by Sittalai Sattanar also provides valuable information on the Sangam polity and society.
Sangam Society
  • Tolkappiyam refers to the five- fold division of lands,
    1. Kurinji (hilly tracks)
    2. Mullai (pastoral)
    3. Marudam (agricultural)
    4. Neydal (coastal) and
    5. Palai (desert)
  • The people living in these five divisions had their respective chief occupations as well as gods forworship.
    • Kurinji – chief deity was Murugan – chief occupation, hunting and honey collection.
    • Mullai – chief deity Mayon (Vishnu) – chief occupation, cattle-rearing and dealing with dairy products.
    • Marudam – chief deity Indira – chief occupation, agriculture.
    • Neydal – chief deity Varunan – chief occupation fishing and salt manufacturing.
    • Palai – chief deity Korravai – chief occupation robbery.
  • The social classification of varna was known to Sangam poets. Tolkappiyam also refers to four castes namely arasar, anthanar, vanigar and vellalar.
    • The ruling class was called arasar.
    • Anthanars played a significant role in the Sangam polity and religion.
    • Vanigars carried on trade and commerce.
    • The vellalas were agriculturists.
  • Other tribal groups like Parathavar, Panar, Eyinar, Kadambar, Maravar and Pulaiyar were also found in the Sangam society. Ancient primitive tribes like Thodas, Irulas, Nagas and Vedars lived in this period.
  • The Brahmanas are also mentioned, some of them closely associated with the courts of kings and patronized by ruling elites. They are described as performing yajnas, including ones on the battlefield, to ensure victory. In the Padirrapattu, the sage Kapila advises kings that they should give important jobs such as those of advisers to Brahmanas.
  • Sangam poems contain several incidental references to material culture, often as part of the poem’s setting or in similes and allusions. There are references to farming (rice and barley are mentioned), cattle rearing, and fishing.
  • They also speak of the Yavanas (foreigners) coming in theri own vessels purchasing pepper with gold and supplying wine and women slaves to the natives. This trade is not known only from Latin and Greek writings but also from archaeological records.
  • Aṇaṅku is a phenomenon of sacred power described in ancient Tamil literature such as the Sangam literature. This sacred magical forces were supposed to inhabit various objects, which eventually determined there association with the society.
  • The class of warriors was an important element in society during the Sangam age. Captains of the army were invested with the title of ‘enadi’ at a formal ceremony. Civil and military officers were held under both the Cholas and the Pandyas by vellalas or rich peasants. The ruling class was called arasar and its members had marriage relations with the vellalas.

Women during the Sangam age:

  • Women in the Sangam period appear to have been educated. This is testified by many poems contributed by women poets to the Sangam literature. Women are also described as engaged in various economic activities such as paddy plantation, cattle rearing, basket-making, spinning, etc.
  • However, the cruel practice of Sati was also prevalent in Tamil society, and it was known as tippayadal. But it was not obligatory as there are references to widows present in society. However, their position was miserable as they were prohibited to decorate themselves or participate in any form of amusement.