Overview
The Sangam Age (approximately 300 BC – 300 AD) refers to the period when ancient Tamil civilization flourished in south India, producing a remarkable body of literature known as Sangam literature. The term "Sangam" refers to the literary academies (assemblies of poets) said to have been held under royal patronage.
Three great Tamil kingdoms — the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas — dominated the region. They engaged in trade with Rome, Arabia, and Southeast Asia, and left behind a rich literary and archaeological record that makes the Sangam Age one of the best-documented periods of ancient Tamil history.
The Three Kingdoms
| Kingdom | Capital | Region | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheras | Vanji (Karur) | Kerala and western Tamil Nadu | Bow |
| Cholas | Uraiyur / Kaveripattinam | Kaveri delta (Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli) | Tiger |
| Pandyas | Madurai / Korkai | Far south (Madurai, Tirunelveli) | Fish |
The Tamil Sangams (Literary Academies)
According to tradition, three literary academies were held at Madurai under the patronage of Pandya kings:
- First Sangam — held at Madurai; presided by Agastya; lasted 4,400 years. All works lost.
- Second Sangam — held at Kapatapuram (submerged by sea); lasted 3,700 years. Only Tolkappiyam survived.
- Third Sangam — held at Madurai; lasted 1,850 years. Most surviving Sangam literature comes from this period.
Sangam Literature
The surviving corpus of Sangam literature is divided into two broad categories:
Akam (interior/love poetry): Poetry about love in the context of the five landscapes (Tinai):
| Tinai | Landscape | Associated with |
|---|---|---|
| Kurinji | Mountain | Union / premarital love |
| Mullai | Forest | Patient waiting |
| Marudam | Agricultural land | Infidelity/quarrel |
| Neydal | Coastal | Anxious waiting |
| Palai | Desert | Separation |
Puram (exterior/heroic poetry): War, generosity of kings, death, and social values.
Major works:
- Tolkappiyam (grammar) — by Tolkappiyar
- Purananuru (400 heroic poems)
- Akananuru (400 love poems)
- Silappathikaram (epic) — by Ilango Adigal (Chera prince)
- Manimekalai (Buddhist epic) — by Seettalai Saathanar
- Tirukkural — by Thiruvalluvar; 1,330 couplets on virtue, wealth, and love
Trade and Economy
The Sangam kingdoms traded actively with the Roman Empire. Roman gold coins have been found in Tamil Nadu. Key exports: pepper, pearls, ivory, cotton textiles, and precious stones. Major ports: Kaveripattinam (Chola) and Korkai (Pandya).
The Pandyas were famous for pearl fishery in the Gulf of Mannar. Cheras controlled the Malabar spice trade (pepper, cardamom).
Society and Administration
Sangam society was hierarchical but not rigidly caste-based. The vel (chieftain) system was common. The king was expected to be generous and brave — pouring gold on a battlefield was considered a mark of honour.
The muvendar (three crowned kings) commanded great armies and navies, and patronized poets lavishly. A poet could earn enormous wealth from a single poem praising a king's generosity.
Important for Exam - Tolkappiyam = oldest Tamil grammar; by Tolkappiyar - Silappathikaram = by Ilango Adigal (Chera prince) - Manimekalai = by Seettalai Saathanar (Buddhist) - Pandya capital = Madurai; Chera capital = Vanji; Chola capital = Uraiyur - Five landscapes = Tinai (Kurinji, Mullai, Marudam, Neydal, Palai) - Tirukkural = 1,330 couplets by Thiruvalluvar
Previous Year TNPSC Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Q1
Which is the oldest Tamil grammar work?
Q2
The capital of the Pandya kingdom during the Sangam Age was?
Q3
Who wrote Silappathikaram?
Q4
The five landscape divisions in Sangam poetry are called?
Q5
The capital of the Chera kingdom was?
Q6
Manimekalai was written by?