Chp 5

• SANGAM is the Tamil form of the Sanskrit Sangha which means association (gathering).
• The three warring kingdoms mentioned in Sangam literature are Chera, Chola, and Pandya.
• SANGAM means a gathering of poets.
• There were 3 sangams held between the first century B.C. and second century A.D. in the kingdom of the Pandyas.
• Wars between Cholas, Cheras & Pandyas and their heroic deeds form the theme of SANGAM literature.
• Tirukkural is one of the most celebrated works of the eighteen minor works.
• Tiruvalluvar (Tamil poet and philosopher) is the author of Tirukkural.
• Tirukkural is a compound of the teachings of DHARAMASHASTRA, ARTHASHASTRA, KAMASUTRA.
• Tirukkural is a collection of Tamil couplets organized into 133 chapters.
• Tirukkural preaches simplicity and truth throughout its verses.
• The 133 chapters of Tirukkural are grouped into 3 sections: ARAM (righteousness), PORUL (wealth), KAMAM (pleasure).
• Megaliths are huge stones, box like structures found at most burial sites.
• These structures are erected with the stone slabs resting on each other without any mortar.
• Some Megaliths contain more than one skeleton, indicating that people belonging to the same family were buried in the same place though at different time periods.
• The number of agricultural tools compared to those meant for fishing and hunting are less, indicating that the megalithic people initially did not practice an advanced type of agriculture.
• From the grave goods, i.e., the presence of tridents in the graves show their faith in Lord Shiva.
• During the Sangam Age, there were three important kingdoms, namely Chera, Chola and Pandya in the Tamil country.
• In addition to these three kingdoms, there were local chieftains during the Sangam Age.
• The Sangam literature speaks of many tribes and also refers to the traditional castes.
• Caste divisions and the tribal arrangement existed side by side during the Sangam Age.
• The Tolkappiyam has mentioned 4 castes, namely Brahmanas, kings, traders and farmers during the Sangam Age.
• The Brahmanas were a respectable and learned community who performed all their duties scrupulously.
• The Brahmanas served the king occasionally as judicial officers and always as priests and astrologers during the Sangam Age.
• In the pastoral tract, the inhabitants lived on shifting agriculture and animal husbandry.
• Other full time craftsmen such as goldsmiths, blacksmiths and potters have been mentioned in the poems.
• The cooked fish along with piping hot curry was equally valued.
• Wrestling was a common sport.
• Women were provided good education.
• Saliyur in the Pandya country and Bandar in the Chera region were two important ports mentioned in the poems.
• In the parched (dry)zone, the inhabitants lived by plunder and cattle lifting.
• There were female ascetics belonging to Jain and Buddhist traditions.
• Trade, both internal and foreign, was well organised and carried on throughout that period.
• Married women settled down as dutiful wives.
• Clothing comprised two pieces of cloth.
• Honey and roots were exchanged for fish oil.
• The period of Sangam is considered as a landmark in the history of South India.
• SANGAM means Association in Tamil.
• The famous Tamil poet and scholar of the Sangam period was Nakkirar.
• There were established markets called Angadi in the bigger towns.
• Grain, meat and fish formed the chief articles of food along with vegetables, milk and milk products.