Kerala History - Sangam Age
The Sangam Age constitutes an important chapter in the history of South India. According to Tamil legends, there existed three Sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) in ancient Tamil Nadu popularly called Muchchangam.
- Head Sangam
- Middle Sangam
- Last Sangam period.
The corpus of Sangam literature includes Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and the two epics – Silappathigaram and Manimegalai. The most important among them is Tirukkural authored by Thiruvalluvar. Silappathigaram written by Elango Adigal and Manimegalai by Sittalai Sattanar
During this period Tamilakam was ruled by the three Tamil dynasties of Chola, Pandya and Chera.
The Cheras ruled over parts of modern Kerala. Their capital was Vanji and their important seaports were Tondi and Musiri.
The Chola kingdom of the Sangam period extended from modern Tiruchi district to southern Andhra Pradesh. Their capital was first located at Uraiyur and then shifted to Puhar.
The Pandyas ruled over the present day southern Tamil Nadu. Their capital was Madurai.
Tolkappiyam refers to the five-fold division of lands-
Kurinji – chief deity was Murugan – chief occupation, hunting and honey collection.
Palai – chief deity Korravai – chief occupation robbery.
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.
The people were divided into five different clans ("kudis") based on their profession-
Mallars- the farmers.
Malavars- the hill people who gather hill products, and the traders.
Nagars- people in charge of border security, who guarded the city walls and distant fortresses.
Kadambars- people who thrive on forests.
Thiraiyars- the seafarers.
The primary deity of the Sangam period was Seyon or Murugan, who is hailed as Tamil God. Other gods worshipped during the Sangam period were Mayon (Vishnu), Vendan (Indiran), Varunan and Korravai.
Agriculture was the chief occupation. Rice was the common crop. Ragi, sugarcane, cotton, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and a variety of fruits were the other crops. Jack fruit and pepper were famous in the Chera country. Paddy was the chief crop in the Chola and Pandya country.
'Kalabhra Interregnum' has been referred as the Dark Age in the history of Kerala. The Kalabhra Kings overthrowing and deracinating Chera, Chola and Pandya dynasties. The reign of Kalabhras of South India finally came to an end in the 8th Century AD.
Three political powers ruled the territories of Kerala during the Sangam Age. These were-
The Ezhimala to the North Kerala-
The Chera in Central Kerala-
The Ay in the South Kerala-
- Head Sangam
- Middle Sangam
- Last Sangam period.
The corpus of Sangam literature includes Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and the two epics – Silappathigaram and Manimegalai. The most important among them is Tirukkural authored by Thiruvalluvar. Silappathigaram written by Elango Adigal and Manimegalai by Sittalai Sattanar
During this period Tamilakam was ruled by the three Tamil dynasties of Chola, Pandya and Chera.
The Cheras ruled over parts of modern Kerala. Their capital was Vanji and their important seaports were Tondi and Musiri.
The Chola kingdom of the Sangam period extended from modern Tiruchi district to southern Andhra Pradesh. Their capital was first located at Uraiyur and then shifted to Puhar.
The Pandyas ruled over the present day southern Tamil Nadu. Their capital was Madurai.
Tolkappiyam refers to the five-fold division of lands-
Kurinji – chief deity was Murugan – chief occupation, hunting and honey collection.
Palai – chief deity Korravai – chief occupation robbery.
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.
The people were divided into five different clans ("kudis") based on their profession-
Mallars- the farmers.
Malavars- the hill people who gather hill products, and the traders.
Nagars- people in charge of border security, who guarded the city walls and distant fortresses.
Kadambars- people who thrive on forests.
Thiraiyars- the seafarers.
The primary deity of the Sangam period was Seyon or Murugan, who is hailed as Tamil God. Other gods worshipped during the Sangam period were Mayon (Vishnu), Vendan (Indiran), Varunan and Korravai.
Agriculture was the chief occupation. Rice was the common crop. Ragi, sugarcane, cotton, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and a variety of fruits were the other crops. Jack fruit and pepper were famous in the Chera country. Paddy was the chief crop in the Chola and Pandya country.
'Kalabhra Interregnum' has been referred as the Dark Age in the history of Kerala. The Kalabhra Kings overthrowing and deracinating Chera, Chola and Pandya dynasties. The reign of Kalabhras of South India finally came to an end in the 8th Century AD.
Three political powers ruled the territories of Kerala during the Sangam Age. These were-
The Ezhimala to the North Kerala-
The Chera in Central Kerala-
The Ay in the South Kerala-
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