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Ancient History 21 - Daily Class Notes - UPSC Prarambh 2026
Ancient History 21 - Daily Class Notes - UPSC Prarambh 2026
Ancient History 21 - Daily Class Notes - UPSC Prarambh 2026
Lecture -21
Southern Kingdoms
2
Southern Kingdoms
❖ Rise of Cheras
❖ Rise of Pandyas
❖ Sangam Society
❖ Sangam Economy
political development started taking its course similar to what had already been
structured in the northern states. Along with political growth, the period also witnessed
economic and literary developments.
➢ The literary works that were composed during this age give us an idea about how
the period flourished with time.
❖ In the Sangam Age in ancient India, there were three kingdoms in South India namely
Chola, Chera, and Pandyas.
➢ His military prowess was highlighted by his victory over the Cheras, Pandyas, and
other local chiefs who came together to fight against Karaikalan but unfortunately
lost in their goal.
➢ He played a significant role in transforming forests into habitable areas, promoted
trade and agriculture through irrigation projects along the Kaveri, and constructed
reservoirs.
Story of Silapathikaram:
❖ It is the story of a merchant named Kovalan, who lived in Puhar and fell in love with
a courtesan named Madhavi, neglecting his wife Kannagi.
❖ Later, he and Kannagi left Puhar and went to Madurai, where he was wrongly
accused of theft by the court jeweler of the Pandya king. The king sentenced Kovalan
to death. However, it was later proved that Kovalan was innocent.
❖ He was unjustly executed after attempting to sell his wife's anklet to a wicked
goldsmith who had stolen the queen's anklet and charged Kovalan with theft.
❖ Kannagi, the widow, arrives in Madurai, confirms Kovalan's innocence, then cuts off
one breast and tosses it at the burning kingdom of Madurai. The king admits his
error. Kannagi curses both the king and the people of Madurai.
❖ The king passes away. The society that caused her pain suffers in retaliation, as the
city of Madurai is burned to the ground as a result of her curse.
❖ When King Cheran Chenkuttuvan and the royal family of the Chera kingdom
(modern-day Kerala) discover her, they decide to construct a temple with Kannagi
as the prominent deity.
Nadu- Korkai was their main port. Korkai was famous for its pearl fishing. Further,
Pandyas expanded their influence into southern Kerala. Fish was the emblem.
❖ Involved in Vedic sacrifices: The images inscribed on the coins minted by the Pandya
kings show that they were involved in Vedic sacrifices. Nedunchezhiyan from the 2nd
❖ Important Pandya king: Nedunchezhiyan attained victory over a combined army of the
Sangam Society:
❖ Role of Vendars: Vendars were kings who
were involved in wars in the Sangam Age
and aimed to expand their territories,
potentially leading to social disparities.
❖ Existence of slavery: War captives were mentioned, and references to slaves also
existed.
❖ Condition of Women: Women actively participated in economic production, and the era
saw a significant number of female poets. This eco-regional division reflects a close
relationship between the environment and cultural practices of the time.
Sangam Ideology and Religion:
❖ Dominance of Brahmanism: The Satavahanas, Sangam kings, and Ikshvahus supported
Vedic sacrifices and followed Brahmanical religion, for which evidence is provided in
Sangam texts.
❖ Buddhist and Jain contribution: On the other hand, Amaravathi, Nagarjunakonda,
Kaviripattinam, and Kanchipuram feature Buddhist centers and stupas. However,
compared to Jainism, Buddhism’s presence in Tamil Nadu is limited to a few sites.
Jains contributed substantially to Tamil literature during the post-Sangam centuries.
Sangam Literature:
❖ Sangam Epics: Some of the earliest works in Tamil, known as Sangam literature, were
composed around 2300 years ago. These texts were called Sangam because they were
supposed to have been composed and compiled in assemblies (known as Sangam) of
poets that were held in the city of Madurai.
➢ Silappadikaram, a famous Tamil epic, was composed by a poet named Ilango,
around 1800 years ago. It is a story of Kovalan, his wife Kannagi, and the courtesan
named Madhavi.
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Sangam Polity:
❖ Monarchial form of Government: During the Sangam period hereditary monarchy was
the form of government. The king had to take the advice of his minister, court-poet,
and the imperial court or avai.
❖ Thinai classification: In the annals of Tamil Nadu, the Sangam Age is termed the golden
period, and it is widely known for its five types of thinais (landscapes) namely- Kurinji,
Mullai, Marutham, Neithal, and Paalai, each with its own flora and fauna, and other
distinct traits that find a due place in the literary works. The ‘thinai’ classification
system- three levels of rulers-
Sangam Economy:
❖ Chief Occupation: Agriculture was the chief occupation where rice was the most
common crop.
❖ Division in land: Kurinji which was the hilly region, Marutham which included the
riverine tract, Mull consisted of the forested region, Neythal which was the coastal land
and Palai was the arid land.
❖ Craft Production: Bronze vessels, beads, goldwork, textiles, shell bangles, ornaments,
glass, iron smithy, and pottery were produced.
❖ Means of Exchange: Barter was common in trade, although coins were also used, with
Roman coins circulating as bullion.
❖ Trade Relations: Long-distance trade linked the Tamil region with the Roman Empire
and Southeast Asia.
Conclusion:
The Kalabhra tribe attacked and occupied the area which was a part of the Sangam Age.
Even though, the developments commenced comparatively later than that of North India,
the literature that was developed is auspicious and completely absent in North India, thus
making it special.