History & Civics
What were the key factors that made the Sangam Age an economically prosperous period in Tamil history?
Sangam Age
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There were many key factors that made the Sangam Age an economically prosperous period in Tamil history.
- Thriving Agriculture — Fertile land and well-developed irrigation supported the cultivation of many crops like rice, sugarcane, millets, coconut, cotton, spices, tamarind and sandalwood. Paddy was the main crop.
- Trade and Commerce — Local markets came up and they were known as Angadis. Both Day Market (Nalangadi) and Evening Bazaar (Allangadi) existed in port towns. The expansion of trade led to the growth of towns. Both internal and overseas trade flourished, especially with Rome, Southeast Asia, and other parts of India.
- Port cities — Cities like Puhar (Kaveripattinam) became major centers for maritime trade. Korkai was the chief port in Madurai, capital of the Pandyan kingdom. Ports of Naura (Cannanore), Tyndia (Ponnai) and Muziris (Cranganore) were the leading ports on the west coast.
- Stable rule — The Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties provided stable governance and patronized trade and commerce.
- Industry and Crafts — Weaving and spinning were important crafts during the Sangam period, with Uraiyur and Madurai as main centers for producing and exporting fine cotton fabrics. Other crafts included carpentry, blacksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, along with fishing and hunting as significant occupations.
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Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
"Early Cholas ruled over the kingdom of Tamil Nadu during the pre and post Sangam period (C. 600 BCE to 300 CE). Their early capitals were Urayur/Uraiyur (Tiruchirapalli) and Kaveripattinam. Mention of the early Chola, Chera and Pandayas is made in the Ashokan inscriptions (second and thirteenth rock edits). Karikala Chola was the most prominent of the early Cholas who is referred to in a number of Sangam poetic compositions."
(Source: https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/84174/3/Unit-7.pdf)
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