Sangam Period

Subject: History

Context:

Artefacts and pottery dating to the Sangam period were unearthed at Kodukkur village, located on the banks of Sankarabaraniriver in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu

Concept:

• The artefacts, including black and red ware, conical shaped bowls, part of amphoras, various types of jars and lids with intricate carvings, were found spread in an expanse of 50 acres of agricultural lands on the southern bank of the river.
• The site is located close to the National Fossil Wood Park in Thiruvakkarai.
• The period roughly between the 3rd century B.C. and 3rd century A.D. in South India (the area lying to the south of river Krishna and Tungabhadra) is known as Sangam Period.
• It has been named after the Sangam academies held during that period that flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.
• At the sangams eminent scholars assembled and functioned as the board of censors and the choicest literature was rendered in the nature of anthologies.
• The literary works of this period were the earliest specimens of Dravidian literature.
• According to the Tamil legends, there were three Sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) held in the ancient South India popularly called Muchchangam.
  • The First Sangam, is believed to be held at Madurai, attended by gods and legendary sages. No literary work of this Sangam is available.
  • The Second Sangam was held at Kapadapuram, only Tolkappiyam survives from this.
  • The Third Sangam was also held at Madurai. A few of these Tamil literary works have survived and are a useful sources to reconstruct the history of the Sangam period.