The society in the Sangam Age is described in the form of Social Classes, Food and Dress, Entertainment, Position of Women, and Marriage. Let us understand society, food, and marriage in this section.

 

Society

 

It is evident from Sangam literature that, in this age, Kings were the rulers of administration. The Empire was divided into provinces. They were also called mandalams. Each mandalam was divided into a number of Kottams or Valanadus. Each kottam was sub-divided into nadu. Each nadu was further divided into (Urs) villages which form part of the last unit of the administration.

 

In this society caste divisions and the tribal arrangement existed side by side. The text Tolkappiyam refers to the four divisions prevalent- Anthanar, Arasar, Vanigars, 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.

 

The Brahmanas during the Sangam age were a respectable and learned community. They served the king occasionally as judicial officers and always as priests and astrologers.

 

Do you know, what were other groups and what duties did they perform?
The other two groups were, Vaishyas and Vellalas and trade was common to both of them. They used to perform sacrifices, making gifts, agriculture, protection of cow and trade. So the two communities were known by the profession in which they were engaged.

Food and Dress

 

Can you name the staple food during the Sangam Age?

 

The staple food during this period was Rice. The food habits varied among the people according to their economic status. The rich had their feasts every day, while the poor took simple food. The other chief articles of food were grain, meat, milk products, etc. Grain was husked and converted into flakes called aval.

 

Do you know what is apupa?

 

Apupa or Appam is rice-cake soaked in milk. It was a luxury food item.

 

The dressing in this age varied according to the status. The rich wore silk and fine cotton garments. The middle-class people generally wore two pieces of clothes made of Cotton. Women paid much attention to their hairstyle. They used flowers like Jasmine to decorate their plaits and tufts.

 

Both men and women used perfumes made of sandals and flowers. A variety of ornaments made up of gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones were worn by both men and women.

 

Entertainment and Marriage

 

They held an important place in society.

 

In this section, we will discuss Entertainment, the Position of Women, and Marriage in the Sangan Age

 

Entertainment

 

In the Sangam, Age people made use of different modes of entertainment during their leisure time. Music and dance-filled a good part of the spare time of men and women. The arts of music and dancing were highly developed. A variety of Yazhs and drums are referred to in the Sangam literature.

 

Dancing was performed by Kanigaiyar. Koothu was the most popular entertainment of the people. Cock-fighting and goat-fighting were popular in villages. Gambling was practiced widely.

Do you know what was the common sport during this age?

 

Wrestling was a common form of sport enjoyed by the youth though at times it led to the death of one of the contestants. Children played various games.

 

Position of Women

 

Do you think, in Sangam Age, men and women were equally treated?
No, The status of women in Sangam society was not equal to that of men. The Sangam society consisted of different kinds of women.

 

There were married women who had settled down as dutiful housewives looking after their husbands and children. There were female ascetics belonging to Buddhist or Jain traditions like Kaundi Adigal and Manimegalai. There were a large number of courtesans.

 

However, women enjoyed the freedom of movement in society and the number of women poets of the age is proof that the women were provided with a good education. Women poets like Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and Kakkaipadiniyar flourished in this period.

 

Arundhati, a character in Sanskrit literature, become a model for South Indian Women in the Sangam age The worship of Kannagi or Pattini ('the Chaste Lady) was perhaps a very early institution and was an extension of the worship of the Goddess of Chastity.

 

Marriage

 

Tolkappiyam and the Kalaviyal describe that the Aryans introduced the rituals and ceremonies of marriage (karanam). Secret marriages were distinguished from open alliance marriage with the consent of parents. The literature refer to the eight forms of marriage known to the Sanskrit Dharmashastras.

Economy and Trade

 

This was an age of a simple and self-sufficient economy. The economy was initially based on barter. People exchanged their commodities with the neighboring regions. The Sangam literature points to the existence of both the wealthy and the poor people in society. The wealthy people included the kings and those who surrounded them. The poor were either the farm and casual laborers or the wandering minstrels.

 

External trade was carried out between South India and the Greeks. Cotton, spices, pearl, and precious stones were the major items of export.

 

Do you know what was the important craft of Sangam Period?

 

Weaving and spinning were the most important crafts of the Sangam period. Uraiyur and Madurai were the main centers for the manufacture of cotton fabrics. The weavers produced and exported fine cotton clothes.

 

Local markets were called 'anagadis' that came up along with day markets (called 'nalangadi') and evening markets (called 'allangadi') in the port towns, where there was a lot of commercial activity. Goods from distant places were brought to these markets. The main exports were spices, ivory, pearls, precious stones, muslin and silk. The expansion of trade consequently led to the growth of towns.

Agriculture

 

Agriculture was the main occupation of people during Sangam Age. Do you know what were the main crops in agricultural practice? The main crop was rice, while other crops included cotton, ragi, sugarcane, pepper, ginger, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, different varieties of fruits, etc. Construction of embankments and canals or irrigation was undertaken by the state.

 

Chera country was noted for its jackfruit, pepPer, and turmeric. In the Chola country a piece of land yielded much paddy. Many rural activities like the cultivation of ragi and Sugarcane, the making of sugar from the cane and the harvesting and drying of grain are well described.

 

In this age, land was divided into five types based on their property and physiographical attributes. These types are as follows:

� Kurinji: hills and forests (hunting place)
� Mullai-pasture land ( cattle breeding and grazing place)
� Marudam: fertile field for plantation (plough agriculture)
� Neithal-seashore (fishing place)
� Palai-dry land (for warfare/ acquired through plunder)

 

Revenue from agriculture was called 'karai' and One-sixth of the total produce was generally claimed by the king.

 

Trade

 

There was extensive trade with foreign countries. Certain commodities like pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, ivory products, pearls, precious stones had great importance in the foreign markets. The main imports included horses, gold, and glass.

 

The port cities were the centers of foreign trade. Big ships entered the port of Ptthar which brought precious merchandise from overseas. The family of the rich merchants lived on the upper floors, while the lower ones were set apart for business. Saliyur in the Pandya country and Bandar in Chera are counted among the most important ports.

 

The Periplus of the Red Sea describes the navigation and trade of the Roman empire. It mentions the ports of Naura (Cannanore), Tyndis (identified with Ponnani), and Muziris (Cranganore), as of leading importance on the west coast. All the pearls from the coast were sent to Uraiyur and exported. The gold and silver coins from the Roman empire found in the interior of the Tamil land indicate the extent of the trade.

 

Question

 

1. What was the important craft of the Sangam Period
a) Painting
b) Embroidery
c) Pottery
d) Weaving

 

2. What was the fertile field for plantation called?
a) Kurinji
b) Mullai
c) Palai
d) Marudam

 

3. The evening markets were popularly known as _____.
a) Anagadis
b) Nalangadi
c) Mullai
d) Allangadi

 

4. Which country was known for Jackfruits and peppers?
a) Chola
b) Pandya
c) Kerela
d) Chera

 

5. What was the name of important port in the Pandya country?
a) Periplus
b) Bandar
c) Muziris
d) Saliyur

 

Question

 

1. In which text, the caste system in the Sangam age is described?
a) Purananuru
b) Ramavtaram
c) Tinais
d) Tolkappiyam

 

2. Which community served as judicial officers to Kings?
a. Anthanar
b. Arasar
c. Vellalas
d. Brahmins

 

3. What was the staple food during Sanga Age?
a) Meat
b) Grains
c) Vegetables
d) Rice

 

4. _____ was considered a luxury food item in Sangam Age.
a) Aval
b) Pickles
c) Cakes
d) Apupa

 

5. Which flower was used to decorate hair by women?
a) Rose
b) Marygold
c) Lotus
d) Jasmine

 

Questions

 

1. What was the common sport for people in the Sangam Age?
a) Gambling
b) Cricket
c) Football
d) Wrestling

 

2. The worship of Kannagi signifies_____.
a) Goddess of wealth
b) Goddess of prosperity
c) Goddess of education
d) Goddess of chastity

 

3. In Sanskrit literature, who was considered as a model for South Indian women?
a) Avvaiyar
b) Nachchellaiyar
c) Kakkaipadiniyar
d) Arundhati

 

4. During Sangam Age, the married women were dutiful _____.
a) Workers
b) Teachers
c) Poets
d) Housewives

 

5. What was the ceremony of marriage popularly known in the Sangam Age?
a) Tolkappiyam
b) Kalaviyal
c) Pattini
d) Karanam