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{{Cleanup lang|article|date=August 2021}}{{short description|Period in the history of ancient southern India}}
{{short description|Period in the history of ancient southern India}}
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The '''Sangam period''' or '''age''' ({{indic | lang=ta | defaultipa= |indic=சங்ககாலம் | trans=caṅkakālam | indicipa=}}, {{indic | lang=ml | defaultipa= |indic=സംഘകാലം | trans=saṅkakālam | indicipa=}}), particularly referring to the '''third Sangam period''', is the period of history of [[Tamilakam|ancient Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Sri Lanka (then known as Tamilakam)]] spanning from c. 6th century BCE to c. 3rd century CE.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jesudasan|first=Dennis S.|date=2019-09-20|title=Keezhadi excavations: Sangam era older than previously thought, finds study|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/keeladi-findings-traceable-to-6th-century-bce-report/article29461583.ece|access-date=2021-08-12|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It was named after the famous [[Tamil Sangams|Sangam academies]] of poets and scholars centered in the city of [[Madurai]].


The '''Sangam period''' or '''age''' ({{indic | lang=ta | defaultipa= |indic=சங்ககாலம் | trans=caṅkakālam | indicipa=}}), or the '''third Sangam period''', is the period of history of [[Tamilakam|ancient Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Sri Lanka (then known as Tamilakam)]] spanning from c. 6th century BCE to c. 3rd century CE.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jesudasan|first=Dennis S.|date=2019-09-20|title=Keezhadi excavations: Sangam era older than previously thought, finds study|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/keeladi-findings-traceable-to-6th-century-bce-report/article29461583.ece|access-date=2021-08-12|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It was named after the famous [[Tamil Sangams|Sangam academies]] of poets and scholars centered in the city of [[Madurai]].
In [[Old Tamil|Old Tamil language]], the term [[Tamizhagam|Tamilakam]] (''Tamiḻakam'', ''[[Purananuru]]'' 168. 18) referred to the whole of the ancient Tamil-speaking area,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sep 20|first=M. T. Saju / MT Saju /|last2=2019|title=Carbon dating confirms Keeladi 3 centuries older {{!}} Chennai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/carbon-dating-confirms-keeladi-3-centuries-older/articleshow/71209468.cms|access-date=2021-02-08|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> corresponding roughly to the area known as [[South India|southern India]] today, consisting of the territories of the present-day Indian states of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Kerala]], parts of [[Andhra Pradesh]], parts of [[Karnataka]] and northern [[Sri Lanka]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wilson|first=A.Jeyaratnam|title=Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism: Its Origins and Development in 19th and 20th Centuries |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W3aAB9IFVdkC&q=tamilakam+northern+sri+lanka&pg=PA14|website="They had earlier felt secure in the concept of the Tamilakam, a vast area of "Tamilness" from the south of Dekhan in India to the north of Sri Lanka..."|access-date=2012-04-28|isbn=9780774807593|year=2000}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author1=Pierre-Yves Manguin |author2=A Mani |author3=Geoff Wade|title=Early Interactions Between South and Southeast Asia: Reflections on Cross Cultural exchange|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ni9AlOLTFZYC&q=tamilakam+northern+sri+lanka&pg=PA138|website=originally imported from Kerala to Tamilakam(Southern India) to Illam(Sri Lanka)|isbn=9789814345101|year=2011}}</ref> also known as [[Eelam]].<ref name="shinu">{{cite journal | last =Abraham  | first =Shinu | title =Chera, Chola, Pandya: using archaeological evidence to identify the Tamil kingdoms of early historic South India | journal =Asian Perspectives | volume =42  | issue =2 | pages =207–223 |year=2003  | url =https://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=GfpTLJYcL1XJGP4Vv1mSvT1hvmCvCxGMhrrDBZ23l2vmKVN1JkYG!-2096127210?docId=5002047766| doi =10.1353/asi.2003.0031 | hdl =10125/17189 | s2cid =153420843 | hdl-access =free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P1naAAAAMAAJ&q=nagadipa+naga+nadu | title=Women, Transition, and Change: A Study of the Impact of Conflict and Displacement on Women in Traditional Tamil Society| year=1995}}</ref>
 
In [[Old Tamil|Old Tamil language]], the term [[Tamizhagam|Tamilakam]] (''Tamiḻakam'' தமிழகம், ''[[Purananuru]]'' 168. 18) referred to the whole of the ancient Tamil-speaking area,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sep 20|first=M. T. Saju / MT Saju /|last2=2019|last3=Ist|first3=04:25|title=Carbon dating confirms Keeladi 3 centuries older {{!}} Chennai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/carbon-dating-confirms-keeladi-3-centuries-older/articleshow/71209468.cms|access-date=2021-02-08|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> corresponding roughly to the area known as [[South India|southern India]] today, consisting of the territories of the present-day Indian states of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Kerala]], parts of [[Andhra Pradesh]], parts of [[Karnataka]] and northern [[Sri Lanka]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wilson|first=A.Jeyaratnam|title=Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism: Its Origins and Development in 19th and 20th Centuries |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W3aAB9IFVdkC&q=tamilakam+northern+sri+lanka&pg=PA14|website="They had earlier felt secure in the concept of the Tamilakam, a vast area of "Tamilness" from the south of Dekhan in India to the north of Sri Lanka..."|access-date=2012-04-28|isbn=9780774807593|year=2000}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author1=Pierre-Yves Manguin |author2=A Mani |author3=Geoff Wade|title=Early Interactions Between South and Southeast Asia: Reflections on Cross Cultural exchange|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ni9AlOLTFZYC&q=tamilakam+northern+sri+lanka&pg=PA138|website=originally imported from Kerala to Tamilakam(Southern India) to Illam(Sri Lanka)|isbn=9789814345101|year=2011}}</ref> also known as [[Eelam]].<ref name="shinu">{{cite journal | last =Abraham  | first =Shinu | title =Chera, Chola, Pandya: using archaeological evidence to identify the Tamil kingdoms of early historic South India | journal =Asian Perspectives | volume =42  | issue =2 | pages =207–223 |year=2003  | url =https://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=GfpTLJYcL1XJGP4Vv1mSvT1hvmCvCxGMhrrDBZ23l2vmKVN1JkYG!-2096127210?docId=5002047766| doi =10.1353/asi.2003.0031 | hdl =10125/17189 | s2cid =153420843 | hdl-access =free }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P1naAAAAMAAJ&q=nagadipa+naga+nadu | title=Women, Transition, and Change: A Study of the Impact of Conflict and Displacement on Women in Traditional Tamil Society| year=1995}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
{{Main|History of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Main|History of Tamil Nadu|History of Kerala}}
{{See also|First Sangam|Second Sangam|Third Sangam}}
{{See also|First Sangam|Second Sangam|Third Sangam}}
According to Tamil legends, there were three Sangam periods, namely [[First Sangam|Head Sangam]], [[Second Sangam|Middle Sangam]] and [[Third Sangam|Last Sangam]] period. Historians use the term Sangam period to refer the last of these, with the first two being legendary. So it is also called '''Last Sangam period''' ({{indic|lang=ta|indic=கடைச்சங்க பருவம்|trans=Kadaiccanga paruvam}}),<ref>{{cite book|last=Zvelebil|first=Kamil|title=The smile of Murugan on Tamil literature of South India|year=1973|publisher=BRILL|page=46}}</ref> or '''Third Sangam period''' ({{indic|lang=ta|indic=மூன்றாம் சங்க பருவம்|trans=Mūnṟām sanka paruvam}}). The Sangam literature is thought to have been produced in three Sangam academies of each period. The evidence on the early history of the Tamil kingdoms consists of the epigraphs of the region, the Sangam literature, and archaeological data.
According to Tamil legends, there were three Sangam periods, namely [[First Sangam|Head Sangam]], [[Second Sangam|Middle Sangam]] and [[Third Sangam|Last Sangam]] period. Historians use the term Sangam period to refer the last of these, with the first two being legendary. So it is also called '''Last Sangam period''' ({{indic|lang=ta|indic=கடைச்சங்க பருவம்|trans=Kadaiccanga paruvam}}),<ref>{{cite book|last=Zvelebil|first=Kamil|title=The smile of Murugan on Tamil literature of South India|year=1973|publisher=BRILL|page=46}}</ref> or '''Third Sangam period''' ({{indic|lang=ta|indic=மூன்றாம் சங்க பருவம்|trans=Mūnṟām sanka paruvam}}). The Sangam literature is thought to have been produced in three Sangam academies of each period. The evidence on the early history of the Tamil kingdoms consists of the epigraphs of the region, the Sangam literature, and archaeological data.
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[[File:Puhar-ILango.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Ilango Adigal]] is the author of ''[[Silappatikaram]],'' one of the [[The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature|five great epics]] of [[Tamil literature]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Prince ILango Adigal, Shilappadikaram (The anklet Bracelet), translated by Alain Damelou. Review|journal=Artibus Asiae|volume=37|issue=1/2|date=1975|pages=148–150|last=Rosen|first=Elizabeth S.|jstor=3250226|doi=10.2307/3250226}}</ref>]]
[[File:Puhar-ILango.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Ilango Adigal]] is the author of ''[[Silappatikaram]],'' one of the [[The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature|five great epics]] of [[Tamil literature]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Prince ILango Adigal, Shilappadikaram (The anklet Bracelet), translated by Alain Damelou. Review|journal=Artibus Asiae|volume=37|issue=1/2|date=1975|pages=148–150|last=Rosen|first=Elizabeth S.|jstor=3250226|doi=10.2307/3250226}}</ref>]]
There is a wealth of sources detailing the history, socio-political environment and cultural practices of ancient Tamilakam, [[Tamil history from Sangam literature|including volumes of]] [[Sangam literature|literature]] and epigraphy.<ref name="shinu"/>
There is a wealth of sources detailing the history, socio-political environment and cultural practices of ancient Tamilakam, [[Tamil history from Sangam literature|including volumes of]] [[Sangam literature|literature]] and epigraphy.<ref name="shinu"/>
Tamilakam's history is split into three periods; prehistoric, classical (see Sangam period) and medieval. A vast array of literary, epigraphical and inscribed sources from around the world provide insight into the socio-political and cultural occurrences in the Tamil region. The ancient Tamil literature consists of the grammatical work [[Tolkappiyam]], the anthology of ten mid-length books collection [[Pathupattu]], the eight anthologies of poetic work [[Ettuthogai]], the eighteen minor works [[Patiṉeṇkīḻkaṇakku]]; and there are [[The Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature]] composed in classical [[Tamil language]] — ''[[Manimekalai]]'', ''[[Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi]]'', ''[[Silappadikaram]]'', ''[[Valayapathi]]'' and ''[[Kundalakesi]]'' as well as five lesser Tamil epics, ''Ainchirukappiyangal'', which are ''[[Neelakesi]]'', ''[[Naga kumara kaviyam]]'', ''[[Udhyana kumara Kaviyam]]'', ''[[Yasodhara Kaviyam]]'' and ''[[Soolamani]]''.


==Culture==
==Culture==
{{Further|Economy of ancient Tamil country|Agriculture in ancient Tamil country|Industry in ancient Tamil country}}
{{Further|Economy of ancient Tamil country|Agriculture in ancient Tamil country|Industry in ancient Tamil country}}
The four fold vedic system of caste hierarchy did not exist during sangam period. The society was organised by occupational groups living apart from each other.<ref>{{cite book|title= Ancient Indian History and Civilization|first= Sailendra |last= Nath sen |publisher= Routledge |year=1999 |page=202|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ancient_Indian_History_and_Civilization/Wk4_ICH_g1EC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=maurya+dynasty+sen&printsec=frontcover}}</ref> The land was controlled by chieftains who indulged in constant war fare.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
The four fold vedic system of caste hierarchy did not exist during sangam period. The society was organised by occupational groups living apart from each other.<ref>{{cite book|title= Ancient Indian History and Civilization|first= Sailendra |last= Nath sen |publisher= Routledge |year=1999 |page=202|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ancient_Indian_History_and_Civilization/Wk4_ICH_g1EC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=maurya+dynasty+sen&printsec=frontcover}}</ref>  
===Religion===
{{Main|Ancient Tamil religion}}
The religion of the ancient Tamils are [[Animism|animistic]] and [[Shamanism|shamanic]] in nature. Elements of nature such as mountains, trees, water bodies are worshipped along with spirits and minor deities. Some of this minor deities are later adapted into larger pantheons of [[Brahminism]], [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]]. The [[Sangam landscape|Tamil landscape]] was classified into five categories, ''thinais'', based on the mood, the season and the land. ''Tolkappiyam'', one of the oldest grammatical works in Tamil mentions that each of these ''thinai'' had an associated deity such as [[Kottravai]] (Mother goddess i.e. Kali) and Cheyon in Kurinji (the hills), Maayon in Mullai (the forests), Venthan in Marutham (the plains i.e. [[Vayu]]), and Varunan in the Neithal (the coasts and the seas). Varunan could be replaced much more ancient Sea Goddesses in late sangam age.


===Calendar===
== See also ==
The ancient [[Tamil calendar]] was based on the [[sidereal year]] similar to the ancient Hindu solar calendar, except that months were from solar calculations, and originally there was no 60-year cycle as seen in Sanskrit calendar. The year was made up of twelve months and every two months constituted a season. With the popularity of Mazhai vizhavu, traditionally commencement of Tamil year was clubbed on April 14, deviating from the astronomical date of ''vadavazhi vizhavu''.
{{Portal|Tamils|India|Hinduism}}
 
===Festivals===
*'''''Pongal''''' (பொங்கல்) the festival of harvest and spring, thanking Lord '''El''' (the sun), comes on January 14/15 (''Thai 1'').
*'''''Peru Vaenil Kadavizha''''', the festival for wishing quick and easy passage of the mid-summer months, on the day when the Sun or El stands directly above the head at noon (the start of Agni Natchaththiram) at the southern tip of ancient Tamil land. This day comes on April 14/15 (''Chithirai 1'').
*'''''Mazhai Vizhavu''''', ''aka'' '''''Indhira Vizha''''', the festival for want of rain, celebrated for one full month starting from the full moon in ''Ootrai'' (later name-Cittirai) சித்திரை and completed on the full moon in ''Puyaazhi'' (Vaikaasi) (which coincides with [[Vesak|Buddhapurnima]]). It is epitomised in the epic Cilapatikaram in detail.
*'''''Puyaazhi (Vaikaasi) visaagam''''' and '''''Thai poosam''''', தைப்பூசம் the festivals of Tamil God [Muruga]'s birth and accession to the '''''Thirupparankundram Koodal''''' Academy, coming on the day before the full moons of ''Puyaazhi'' and ''Thai''  respectively.
*'''''Soornavai Vizha''''', the slaying of legendary Kadamba [[Asura]] king Surabadma, by Lord [Muruga], comes on the sixth day after new moon in ''Itrai'' (Kaarthigai). It is sung about in ''Thirumurugatrupadai'' and ''Purananuru'' anthology.
*'''''Vaadai Vizha''''' or '''''Vadavazhi Vizha''''', the festival of welcoming the Lord [[Surya]] back to home, as He turns northward, celebrated on December 21/22 (Winter Solstice) (the sixth day of ''Panmizh'' [Maargazhi]). It is sung about in ''Akanauru'' anthology.
*'''''Semmeen Ezhumin Vizhavu (Aathi-Iřai Darisanam) or Aruthra Darishanam''''', the occasion of Lord '''''[[Shiva|Siva]]''''' coming down from the '''''ThiruCitrambalam''''' திருச்சிற்றம்பலம் and taking a look at the ''Vaigarai Thiru Aathirai'' star in the early morning on the day before the full moon in ''Panmizh''. Aathi Irai min means ''the star of the God (Siva) on the Bull (Nandi)''.
*'''''Thiruonam or Onam''''', considered to be the birthday of Mayon, by the people of Pandya kingdom and was celebrated for 10 days. That was mentioned in '[Maduraikanji]' one of the '[[Pattuppāṭṭu|Pathupaatu]]' book, 'Thirupallandu' by [[Periyalvar|Periyazhwar]] and from the song of [[Sambandar|Thirugnanasambandhar]] in [[Tevaram|Thevaram]]. On this day, [[Keralites]] celebrate Onam as the state's harvest festival. Onam is observed for 10 days, ending in Thiruvonam (or Thirounam).
 
=== Arts ===
{{See also|Ancient Tamil music}}
Musicians, stage artists, and performers entertained the kings, the nobility, the rich and the general population. Groups of performers included:
 
*''Thudian'', players of the ''thuda'', a small percussion instrument
*''Paraiyan'', who beat ''maylam'' (drums) and performed ''kooththu'', a stage drama in dance form, as well as proclaiming the king's announcements
*''Muzhavan'', who blew into a ''muzhavu'', a wind instrument, with the army indicating the start and end of the day and battlefield victories. They also performed in ''kooththu'' alongside other artists.
*''Kadamban'' who beat a large bass-like drum, the ''kadamparai'', and blew a long bamboo, ''kuzhal,'' the ''cerioothuthi'' (similar to the present ''naagasuram'').
*''PaaNan'', who sang songs in all ''pann'' tunes (tunes that are specific for each landscape) and were masters of the ''yaazh'', a stringed instrument with a wide frequency range.
 
Together with the poets (''pulavar'') and the academic scholars (''saandror''), these people of talent appeared to originate from all walks of life, irrespective of their native profession.
 
==People==
{{See also|Tamil people|Sangam literature|Sangam landscape|Chronology of Tamil history}}
[[File:map 2bc.jpg|thumb|Political map of South India, 210 B.C.E.]]
[[File:Kerala and Tamil Nadu - combined district map.svg|thumb|A major part of ancient Tamilakam today lies in [[Kerala]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]]]
The people were divided into five different clans (''kudes'') based on their profession. They were:
 
* Mallars: the farmers
* Malavars: the [[hill people]] who gather hill products, and the traders
* Nagars: people in charge of border security, who guarded the city walls and distant fortresses
* Kadambars: people who thrive in forests
* Thiraiyars: the seafarers
* Maravars: the warriors.
 
All the five ''kudes'' constituted a typical settlement, which was called an ''uru''. Later each clan spread across the land, formed individual settlements of their own and concentrated into towns, cities, and countries. Thus the Mallars settled in [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Sri Lanka]], while the Malavars came to live in [[Kerala]], western Tamil Nadu, eastern [[Andhra Pradesh]] and southern Sri Lanka. The [[Naga people (Sri Lanka)|Nagar]]s inhabited southern and eastern Tamil Nadu, and northern Sri Lanka, while the Kadambars settled in central Tamil Nadu first and later moved to western [[Karnataka]]. The Thiraiyars inhabited throughout the coastal regions. Later various subsects were formed based on more specific professions in each of the five landscapes (Kurinji, Mullai, Marutam, Neithal and Palai).


* Poruppas (the soldiers), Verpans (the leaders of the tribe or weapon-ists), Silambans (the masters of martial arts or the arts of fighting), Kuravar (the hunters and the gatherers, the people of foothills) and Kanavars (the people of the mountainous forests) in Kurinji.
* Kurumporai Nadan-kizhaththis (the landlords of the small towns amidst the forests in the valleys), Thonral-manaivi (the ministers and other noble couples), Idaiyars (the milkmaids and their families), Aiyars (the cattle-rearers) in Mullai.
* Mallar or Pallar (the farmers), Maravars (the warriors) Vendans ([[Chera]], [[Chola]], and [[Pandya]] kings were called ''[[Vendans]]''), Urans (small landlords), Magizhnans (successful small-scale farmers), Uzhavars (the farm workers), Kadaiyars (the merchants) in Marutham.<ref>[http://www.tamilagaarasiyal.com/ActionPages/Content.aspx?bid=817&rid=43 Mannar Uruvana 'Mallar' Varalaru] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716191851/http://www.tamilagaarasiyal.com/ActionPages/Content.aspx?bid=817&rid=43 |date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref>
* Saerppans  (the seafood vendors and traders), Pulampans (the vegetarians who thrive on coconut and palm products), Parathars or [[Paravas]] (people who lived near the seas-the rulers, sea warriors, merchants and the pirates), Nulaiyars (the wealthy people who both do fishing and grow palm farms) and Alavars (the salt cultivators) in Neithal.
* Palai symbolises the dry arid lands and scorching [[Desert climate|deserts]] of Tamil country where nothing except for the hardy and  war-like perseverant tribes native to those lands can survive. It is also the only land among all five lands of the [[Sangam landscape]] that a female God, fierce [[mother goddess]], [[Kotravai]] was worshipped which is synonymous with the common belief that all the other lands of Tamil country emerged from these original dry arid lands. The tribes existed in these lands were the ruthless and fearsome  [[Maravars]] (Noble Warriors, Hunters and Bandits) and [[Kallar (caste)|Eyinars]] (Warriors and Bandits). They actively seek out for wars, knowledge, invade far and distant lands and engage in banditry.
* People were known on the basis of their occupation they followed such as artisans, merchants etc.
* Warriors occupied a special position in society and memorial stones called "Nadukan" were  raised in honour of those who died in fighting and they were worshiped.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VuvshP5_hg8C&q=tamils+eighteen+hundred+years+ago+maravars&pg=PA42 | title=The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago| isbn=9788120601505| last1=Kanakasabhai| first1=V| year=1997}}</ref>
== See also ==
* {{Portal-inline|size=tiny|Ancient Tamil civilization}}
* {{Portal-inline|size=tiny|Sangam period}}
*[[History of Tamil Nadu]]
*[[History of Tamil Nadu]]
*[[Tolkappiyam]]
*[[Tolkappiyam]]
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