Nature of Sangam Society

India is a vast and substantial nation that has been governed by one of the most magnanimous dynasties of the world. Either these dynasties had Indian origin or got their birth from areas of west or north around the world. Instead of becoming a temporary dynasty in the country, these dynasties decided to loot India to its fullest and settled here for their whole lifetime. 

One such period of the enormous ruling was in the Sangam period which was inhabited by the three most liberal regimes of Indian History i.e., Cheras, Pandyas, and Cholas. These monarchies thrived in almost all the characteristics of belief and faith, society, economy and administration of their kingdoms. The Sangam social structure was very sophisticated and intricate.  

About Sangam Period

The Sangam period was inhabited by the three most magnanimous regimes of Indian History, Cheras, Pandyas, and Cholas. The period of the Sangam dynasty went on from 300 BCE to 300 AD in the areas of South India which lie to the south of rivers Tungabhadra and Krishna. This eternity was designated after the Sangam academies (Academy formed by Tamil poets) that prospered during the Pandya regime. A total of three Sangams were held in the ancient period of South India from the 3rd century BCE to AD. 

The first one is speculated to have been held at Madurai which was given attention to by the Legendary sages and Gods. However, no such literary work is available from the Sangam held at Madurai. The second one was the one held at Kapadapuram from which the only survivor was the Tolkappiyam. The last one was held at Madurai and this is the only Sangam from where we got some of the useful sources that provide us information regarding this Dynasty.

Sangam Social Structure

The whole Sangam social structure was based on the traditional system of divisions of people based on caste. Ideal priests were contemplated as the Brahmins of Sangam society. They worked as ascetics, ambassadors, puroliitas, astrologers and judges. Yet, even after having a good hold on the social structure of the Sangam society, the society wasn’t considered priest-dominated in any way. 

The Educational system during the Sangam period was very flourishing, as proven and highlighted by the literary works of those times. The Sangam period had one of the most prominent and outstanding thinkers of that time. Educational system in the Sangam period gave an absolute devotion to the literary conventions and adhered to its norms and principles. 

Brahmins of Sangam Society 

The literary works also give a reflection of the inception of the Vedic people and the further interaction of the Tamil people with these Vedic people. Further, the scholarly work that got saved from the second Sangam at Kapadapuram, gives a detailed description of the six Brahmanic duties and the observances and ceremonies that were practised by the Brahmins. Various Sangam poems also feature how the Pandya Kings had various sacrificial halls in their kingdoms to perform various practices. 

As illustrated by the Tolkappiyam, the four Brahmanical duties are Tirumala, Murugan, Varunan and Vendan. 

1)Vendan (Indra)

Vendan or Indra was respected and loved as the rain God, for whom, even a festival was organised every year in the appreciation and admiration of Indra. 

2) Murugan

One of the most significant of this was their religion where the primary deity of the Sangam period was Murugan, who was worshipped by the Tamils as their God. This was mentioned in the literary works of Pattinappalai, which details a lot about Murugan as the son of Shiva and how people used to worship him as their God. In respect of their God, Murugan was honoured with six abodes known by the name of Arupadai Veedu.  

3) Other Brahmanical duties 

The other Brahmanical duties included worshipping Lakshmi as their goddess of prosperity, Kaman as their God of love, Mayon as the guardian of forest region, Baladeva, sea-god, moon-god and other divinities. 

Position of Women 

The Sangam Literature provided various details scrutinising the status of women in the Sangam period. Women in this society were considered subordinate to the men of the Sangam Society. Different kinds of marriages were inclined toward by people of different social classes in the society. 

Sometimes marriages in the Sangam society gave no importance to the confirmation of the bride and the bride-groom. However, other marriages require no consent from the family and just the consent of the partners who are marrying each other. 

Economy during the Sangam period 

According to the literary works that are gained from the lands of the Sangam period, provide a flourishing and developing economy during the times of Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras. The people of the Sangam period engaged in all kinds of economic activities like exports, imports, hunting, draining out and trade balances in the economy. 

Religion practices in the Sangam period

The literary works from the Sangams provide a very elaborated and defining religious development in the Sangam Period. The most fascinating part is the existence of the three most important faiths of those times namely, Jainism, Buddhism and Brahmanism. They had their origin from the initial centuries of the Christian era and soon gained a lot of popularity in the Sangam period.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sangam dynasty was inhabited by the three most magnanimous regimes of Indian History, Cheras, Pandyas, and Cholas. The period of the Sangam dynasty went on from 300 BCE to 300 AD in the areas of South India which lie to the south of rivers Tungabhadra and Krishna. The literary works from the Sangams provide a very elaborated and defining social, economic, religious and educational development in the Sangam Period.