Soil samples from T.N. sent for Project at new Parliament site

Subject :History

Section: Art and Culture

Context:

Soil samples from five ecological regions mentioned in ancient Tamil Sangam literature — Tolkappiyam – Kurinji (hilly tracks), Mullai (pastoral), Marudam (agricultural), Neydal (coastal) and Palai (desert).
Tolkappiyam also refers to four castes namely arasar(Ruling Class), anthanar, vanigar(carried on trade and commerce) and vellalar(Agriculturists).
According to the Tamil legends, there were three Sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) held in the ancient South India popularly called Muchchangam.
The Hero Stone or Nadu Kal worship was significant in the Sangam period and was erected in memory of the bravery shown by the warriors in the battle.
The primary deity of the Sangam period was Murugan

Sangam Literature: Major source giving details of Sangam Age

The Sangam literature includes Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and two epics named – Silappathikaram and Manimegalai

Tolkappiyam was authored by Tolkappiyar and is considered the earliest of Tamil literary work.
Pathinenkilkanakku contains eighteen works about ethics and morals. The most important among these works is Tirukkural authored by Thiruvalluvar, the tamil great poet and philosopher.
The two epics Silappathikaram is written by ElangoAdigal and Manimegalai by SittalaiSattanar. They also provide valuable details about the Sangam society and polity.

Other Sources that give details about the Sangam Period are –

The Greek authors like Megasthenes, Strabo, Pliny and Ptolemy mentioning about commercial trade contacts between the West and South India.
The Ashokan inscriptions mentioned about the Chera, Chola and Pandya rulers to the south of Mauryan empire.
Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela of Kalinga also has mention of Tamil kingdoms.

Women Status

There were women poets like Avvaiyar, Nachchellaiyar, and Kakkaipadiniyar who flourished and contributed to Tamil literature. There is also a mention about the practice of Sati being prevalent in the higher strata of society. Women were allowed to choose their life partners.