Dynasties Of the Sangam Age

The ancient history of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Srilanka from 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD is considered the Sangam Age. According to Tamil legends in Indian history, the three prominent Sangam periods were Sangam, Middle Sangam and the Last Sangam Age.

 The  Sangam Age has been named after Sangam Academies, which were established during the period of the supervision of the Royal Patronage of Pandya Kings of Madurai. 

The first and the Third Sangam were apprehended in Madurai, whereas the Second Sangam was held in Kapadapuram. A few literary works of the Third Sangam Age signify the resources of that period and help reconstruct the Sangam Age’s history.

Why is the Sangam Age called the Golden Age?

Sangam Age is described as the golden period of the history of South India. Sangam Literature is a storehouse of noble human thoughts and a great source of encouragement for medieval and modern poets and scholars.

It also described the life of Tamil people during that period. Many of the ruling dynasties of the Sangam Age gave auspice to art and culture, which ensured the evolution of the Dravidian culture that symbolizes Tamil Nadu. 

The primary importance of the Sangam Age is that it defines Tamil’s social, cultural, and religious life. Notably, the social Structure of the Sangam Period was based on the traditional caste system and their occupations. The Brahmins of Sangam society are defined as the ideal priest. 

Detailed about the Dynasties of the Sangam Age:

Based on Indian history, we have found three dynasties ruled during the Sangam Age. The Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas are the famous kingdoms that ruled over some parts of South India. The main information source and evidence about these dynasties were collected from the Sangam Age references in literature. Here is an overview of these dynasties and their r poets and scholars. 

Chera Dynasty

The Cheras were a famous dynasty of the Sangam period. As per the evidence, they ruled over Kerala’s Central and Northern parts and the Kongu regions of Tamil Nadu. 

The greatest ruler of the Cheras was Senguttuvan, who was popularly known as the Red Chera or the Good Chera. The Cheras achieved importance in trading with the Romans and building the Temple of Augustus there. 

The great ruler Sengutuvan’s expedition to the Himalayas and his achievements in the military domain were narrated in the epic Silapathikaram. He was the first Chera ruler who sent an embassy from South India to China. 

During this time, Cheras had its capital in Vanji. Few ports on West Coast like Tondi and Musiri were under the control of the Cheras dynasty. The bow and Arrow signify the emblem of the Chera Dynasty. 

Chola Dynasty

Chola dynasty is a well-known dynasty of the Sangam Age. According to the resources of the Sangam Age, the Cholas had control over the central and northern parts within regions of Tamil Nadu. Their core ruling area was the Kaveri delta, which was later known to be Cholamandalam.

 The capital of the Chola dynasty was Uraiyur and Puhar. Kaveripattinam was considered one of the Royal residences and a famous port town of Tamil Nadu. King Karikala was the famous ruler of the Chola Dynasty, whose life and military conquests were defined in Pattinappalai.

 During his reign, trade and commerce fully flourished in Tamil Nadu. He was the founder of the port city Puhar, and he also defeated the Cheras, Pandyas and eleven chieftains in the battle of Vienna. The Cholas had an efficient navy, and the Tiger signifies the emblem of the Chola dynasty. 

Pandya Dynasty

Pandyas are a famous dynasty of the Sangam Age that ruled the states of Madurai. The main port of Pandyas was Korkai which is located at the convergence of Thampraparani and the Bay of Bengal. 

The rulers of the Pandya dynasty kept a regular army, and they supported the Tamil Sangams while also compiling Sangam poems. In this dynasty, widows were treated badly, and idol worships were some of the common practices. The Pandyas accepted the sacrificial Vedic Religion. 

Trade made them affluent as, during that time, pearls were famous. They lost their significance and power due to the Kalabhras invasion. Fish was marked as their emblem. 

Conclusion:

According to the Tamil legends and the references to the Sangam period, the Sangam Age slowly lost its power towards the end of the 3rd century AD. The invasion of the Kalabhra tribe in dynasties of the Sangam period eradicated their existence from power. After the Sangam Age, these dynasties lost their power and Jainism and Buddhism were getting popular during that time. The Sangam Age refers to the gatherings of poets and scholars from different dynasties. The bulk of information and resources about the Sangam Age has been written in Sangam literature.