Political History of Sangam Period

From the 6th century BCE to the 3rd century CE, the Sangam period or age encompasses the historic chronology of ancient Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and areas of Sri Lanka. In this article, we will learn about each dynasty and the political history of the Sangam age. We will learn about the type of polity that existed during the rule of each dynasty, the provincial and local administration, revenue administration and the military administration. 

The Sangam era or age, especially the third Sangam period, spans the historical chronology of ancient Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Sri Lanka from the 6th century BCE to around the 3rd century CE. It was named after the illustrious Madurai-based Sangam schools of poets and intellectuals.

The term Tamilakam referred to the entire ancient Tamil-speaking region, corresponding to the present Indian states of Tamil Nadu, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, parts of Karnataka, as well as northern Sri Lanka.

Tamilham had three main kingdoms from the beginning: the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Cholas.  

Pandyas 

Megasthenes is the first to mention the Pandyas, who claimed their kingdom was famous for pearls.

The Pandyas controlled the southernmost & south-eastern portions of the Indian peninsula, roughly encompassing the contemporary Tamilnadu districts of Tinnevelly, Ramnad, and Madurai (capital of the kingdom). The Pandyas are well-known for their patronage of Tamil Sangam poets and intellectuals.

The Pandyan rulers benefited from commerce with the Roman Empire and sent envoys to Augustus, the Roman emperor. Korkai, a Pandyan port, was a major centre of trade and commerce, while Saliyur was another.

 In the early decades of the Christian period, the Brahmanas wielded enormous power, and Pandya rulers conducted Vedic sacrifices.

Cholas

In early mediaeval times, the Chola monarchy was located in the north-east region of the Pandyan region, between the Pennar and Velar Rivers, and was known as Cholamandalam (Coromandel). Their capital was originally at Uraiyur, a cotton trading centre, and then in Puhar or Kaveripattinam.

A Chola monarch called Elara is said to have conquered Sri Lanka in the second half of the second century B.C. and reigned over it for over 50 years. 

Cheras

The Cheras, also known as Kerala, were a people who lived towards the north and west of the Pandyas. It included parts of both Kerala and Tamilnadu and included the short stretch of land between the mountains and the sea. 

Sangam Administration

The king served as the epicentre and personification of government. He was known by the names Ko, Vendan,  Mannam, Korravan, and Iraivan.

• Although the hereditary monarchy was the most common form of administration, contested successions and armed conflicts due to civil wars were not uncommon
• The crowned monarch’s court was known as avai. The ‘conquering king’ (Vijigishu) concept was approved and implemented
• Every year, the King’s birthday (Perumal) was commemorated. Several titles were given to kings
• The Pandyas, for example, were recognized as Minavar,  Panchavar, Kavuriyar, Tennar,  Marar, Seliyar, Valudi, seliyar and so on; the Cholas were known as Sennis, Sembiyas, Valavan, and Killi; and the Cheras were known as Vanavar, , Kudavar, Villavar, Kuttuvar, Poraiyar,  Kuttuvar, and so on
• The carp (fish) was the Pandyas’ royal insignia, the Cheras’ bow was the tiger, and the Cholas’ bow was the tiger
• The supreme court of justice in the capital of the city was the king’s sabha or manram
• The monarch was aided by a vast number of administrators, who were organised into five groups: 

1. Amaichchar
2. Purohitas
3. Senapati
4. Dutar 
5. Arrar or spies

Administration at the Provincial and Local Levels

• The whole kingdom was called mandalam in the Sangam period
• The initial main mandalams were the Chola mandalam, Chera mandalam and the  Pandya mandalam
• A large division, nadu / province existed beneath the mandalam
• The ur was a town that was referred to as a huge village (perar), a little village (sirur), or an old village by diverse people (mudur)
• Pattinam was the name given to a seaside town, while Puhar was the name given to the harbour area
• Hereditary chiefs were in charge of the governance of Nadus
• The town was the basic administrative unit, and local assemblies known as manrams were in charge of it

Administration of Revenue

• The most frequent and arguably major source of income was a land tax known as Karai, although the king’s part of the agricultural pride, which he claimed and collected, is unknown 
• The maa and veli were used to measure land, while the kalam was used to measure grain
• A variyam ( tax) was a very good unit of territory that yielded revenue, and a Variyar was the official responsible to collect the tax from such a unit of land
• The feudatories’ tributes and war loot (irai) made up a sizable portion of the royal coffers
• Local and long-distance trade was a major source of imperial revenue
• Tolls and customs fees were charged in ulgu or sungum currency
• The king’s obligations were called Kadamai or paduvathu

Military Command and Control

• The kingdom maintained a primitive army out of the taxes received from the peasantry, which consisted of ox-drawn chariots, cavalry, elephants and infantry
• Elephants played a significant role in warfare
• Horses were brought into the Pandyan empire via sea
• At the period, the habit of constructing memorials for deceased warriors and honouring them, known as virakkal or nadukul was widespread
• The Kavalmaram or Kadimaram institution was also widespread
• As a sign of authority, each emperor kept a large tree in his palace

Conclusion

It is important to know about history if we are to understand our present. We’ve discussed the political history of the Sangam period and its administration. We’ve also discussed revenue administration, local and provincial administration as well as military administration. Read through the article, and try to co-relate it with the political history of other dynasties and eras.