History & Civics
Answer
The chief occupation of the people was agriculture. The ancient Tamils cultivated a wide range of crops such as rice, sugarcane, millets, pepper, grams, coconut, beans, cotton, plantain, tamarind and sandalwood. Paddy was the main crop. Chera country was famous for jackfruit, and spices like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, pepper and turmeric. Spices constituted major items of export. Irrigation through rivers, tanks and wells was used for cultivation. Cotton was grown on large scale.
Related Questions
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
"Tolkappiyam, a treatise on Tamil grammar and poetics, composed probably during the second Sangam, is the oldest extant literary work in Tamil."
(Source: https://www.du.ac.in/up/oads/new-web/04012023_Appendix-108.pdf)
(a) What is the significance of the grammatical treatise Tolkappiyam?
(b) Why is Tolkappiyam important for understanding Tamil society?
What types of records were inscribed on stones and copper plates?
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
"The Sangam literature apart from giving information on the important rulers who ruled over Tamil region namely the Pandyas (the oldest ruling dynasty in Tamil country ruling the southern part of Tamil Nadu)."
(Source: https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/84174/3/Unit-7.pdf)
(a) Name two Pandya rulers mentioned in Sangam literature.
(b) Which Pandya ruler defeated a Chera-Chola coalition?
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
"Feasts were organised for collective entertainment and had social significance as well. The custom of feeding guests was a common custom and eating without a guest to partake of the food was considered unsatisfying."
(Source: https://www.du.ac.in/up/oads/new-web/04012023_Appendix-108.pdf)
(a) Which forms of entertainment were widely practised in Sangam society?
(b) What activities were common in villages during the Sangam Age?