Position of Women During Sangam Age

In this article, we’ll discuss the position of women in the Sangam age. Women’s roles in ancient Tamil culture are described in Sangam literature. Women were given special respect throughout the Sangam Age. The Sangam literature emphasised inherent feminine attributes such as Achcham, Madam, and Naanam. Chastity was their greatest essential virtue. Kannagi has been praised and revered by the masses for her chastity. During the Sangam period, women were allowed the opportunity to pick their lifemates. In Agananuru, the topic of love has been thoroughly examined.

Position of Women during the Sangam Age

The position of women during the Sangam age was respectful and high, although there was no indication that women served as ministers in the king’s court. According to Sangam literature, queens accompanied monarchs and aided them by incorrectly ruling the land. Women were admired for their loyalty and virtuousness, which were regarded as desirable traits. According to ‘Kalithogai,’ virtuous women may provide rain to the earth.

Unmarried women worshipped Lord Muruga to find a suitable spouse. Married ladies prayed to Lord Shiva for the health and longevity of their husbands. For the money, they idolised Lakshmi. They also worshipped the goddess of battle, ‘Kotravai,’ to win the war. So goddess worship existed during the Sangam period.

According to ‘Aganaanuru,’ Sangam women excelled in education. According to Sangam literature, there have been 26 poetesses throughout the time. The prominent poetess of the time was ‘Avvaiyar.’ She wrote 58 poems that were included in the Sangam literature. Sangam women were talented singers, dancers, and musicians.

In terms of education, men and women were treated equally. Women were taught literature (Iyal), music (Isai), and Drama (Nataka) while men were provided physical stamina training. Women who were competent in literature, music and drama were called ‘Mudukkuravai’. Kannaki is described as Mudukkuravai by Ilango Adigal in his great Tamil epic Chilappathikaram.   On the battlefield, some of the knowledgeable women offered advice to the kings. In many other ways, they were bold and equal to men.

Mothers of the Sangam era were courageous enough to send their sons out to battle gladly. The heroic woman is referred to as ‘Mudin Magalir’ / ‘Maraikudi Magalir’ in ‘Purananuru.’ Sangam mothers wished for their boys to be courageous enough to die as heroic soldiers. A woman was ready to chop off her breasts if her son turned and ran away from the battlefield, according to Okkur Masathiyar, a Sangam poetess from Purananuru. When a courageous mother saw her deceased son in the war field with a wounded chest, Tholkapiyar says she would feel glad and proud. 

According to Sangam literature, a Tamil monarch named ‘Athiyaman’ gave Avvaiyar, a well-educated poetess, a rare golden gooseberry (which may provide long life). This demonstrates how well-educated women were treated by society. 

Marriage

Women’s lives are divided into seven phases in Sangam literature. 

• Paedai (first 5 years)
• Pudumai (5-10 years)
• Mangai (10-16 years)
• Madanthai (16-25 years)
• Arivai (25-45 years)
• Therivai (45-60 years)
•  Perilam pen (above 60 years)

The wedding took place after the girl had reached puberty, at 18 years of age. The wedding date was to be determined by the horoscope.

The wealthy men married their daughters to the Bullfighter’s winner.   Megasthanes, who wrote the book ‘Indica,’ recounted a child marriage that took place in the Pandyas’ land. It was a wedding performed by her parents on a six or seven-year-old girl.  Brahmins of the Pallava era were polygamous, marrying multiple wives. For marriage, they did not limit themselves to their caste. Brahmin women also married males from the Kshatriya, vaisya, and shudra castes. The marriage of Brahmin men with non-Brahmin girls was known as ‘pratiloma marriage,’ whereas the marriage of Brahmin men with non-Brahmin females was known as ‘Anuloma marriage.’ The children born as a result of these marriages were acknowledged by society and assigned to certain occupations. 

Chastity

In Tamil, it’s known as ‘Karpu.’ It is the moral purpose’s rocky strength. According to Tolkappiyar, ‘Nanam’ (Reservedness) would be more to life than chastity in value. Ilango Adigal highlights in Chilappathikaram that there is an inner taboo for women. The eternal attachment that exists between lovers is defined as love. Their bond is like that of a body and soul, a sign of oneness and inseparability.

Loyal women were held in high regard in society. During this time, loyal women were worshipped. According to ‘Chilapathikaram,’ king ‘Sengootuvan’ sculpted a sculpture for Kanaki and established a temple for her. In subsequent eras, this sort of devoted female devotion evolved into ‘Mariyamma’ and ‘Bhagavathi’ adoration.  According to this knowledge, women in the Sangam period did good work in education, politics and literature.

Conclusion

During the Sangam period, women were granted numerous rights, including education & marriage. According to ‘Aganaanuru,’ Sangam women excelled in education. Love marriages also were highly popular throughout the Sangam period. Mothers of the Sangam era were bold enough to lead their sons out to battle happily. Because loyal women were highly revered in this culture, the worship of loyal women began at this time. Thus the position of women in the Sangam age was very high and that of equality.