Sangam
General
- Total: 3 Sangams → literary assemblies
- Patronised by Pandyas → royal support
- Held at Muchangam (Tamil region)
Sangams
- 1st Sangam – Madurai (Agastya) → earliest
- 2nd Sangam – Kapadapuram (Tolkappiyar) → grammar development
- Tolkappiyam → earliest Tamil grammar text
- 3rd Sangam – Madurai (Nakkirar) → final phase
Literature
Types
- Narrative (Story) → Melkannakku (8 works)
- Didactic (Poetic) → Kilkanakku (18 works)
- Based on Akam (love) & Puram (war)
Important Works
- Silappadikaram (Ilango Adigal)
- Story of Kovalan, Kannagi, Madhavi
- Kannagi → symbol of chastity (worshipped in Kerala)
- Manimekalai (Sattanar)
- Story of daughter of Kovalan & Madhavi
Geography
Thinais (5 Regions)
- Kurinci → hunting & gathering
- Palai → plundering
- Mullai → pastoral (animal husbandry)
- Marutam → agriculture
- Neytal → fishing & salt making
- Each region ruled by Muvendar (3 chiefs)
External References
- Bindusara → conqueror between 2 seas
- Ashokan inscriptions → mention
- Chera, Chola, Pandya, Satyaputra, Tamraparni (Sri Lanka)
Chera
Features
- Region: Kerala & Tamil Nadu
- Capital: Vanchi
- Ports: Muziris, Tondi → trade centers
- Roman connection → Augustus temple at Muziris
- Emblem: Bow & Arrow
Ruler
- Senguttuvan (Red Chera) → greatest ruler
Culture
- Worship: Kannagi (chastity goddess)
Chola
Features
- Region: Cholamandalam (Pennar–Velar rivers)
- Capital: Uraiyur, Puhar (Kaveripattinam – port)
- Trade: Cotton cloth
Rulers
- Elara → earliest
- Karikala → greatest (Battle of Venni)
Symbol
- Tiger
Pandya
Features
- Region: Tamil Nadu
- Capital: Madurai (Vaigai river)
- Ports: Korkai
- Trade: Pearls + Roman trade
Identity
- First mentioned by Megasthenes
- Emblem: Fish
Society
Classes
- Arasar → ruling class
- Vellalar → rich peasants
- Kadaisiyar → lowest class
🔥 Memory Tricks
- “3 Sangam → Madurai–Kapadapuram–Madurai”
- “AKAM = Love, PURAM = War”
- “Chera-Bow, Chola-Tiger, Pandya-Fish”