With reference to the society that existed during the Sangam Age, answer the following questions:

(a) Explain the position of women during the Sangam Age.

(b) Name the social divisions of the Tamil land and the occupations associated with each one of them.

(c) What does the Tolkappiyam say about ways of living of the people during the Sangam Age?

(a) The status of women in Sangam society was not equal to that of men. The Sangam society consisted of different kinds of women. There were married women who had settled down as dutiful housewives looking after their husbands and children. There were female ascetics belonging to Buddhist or Jain tradition like Kaundi Adigal and Manimegalai. There were a large number of courtesans. Women also enjoyed freedom of movement in society and the number of women poets of the age is a proof that the women were provided with good education. The worship of Kannagi or Pattini was perhaps a very early institution and was an extension of the worship of the Goddess of chastity.

(b) The social divisions of the Tamil land and the occupations associated with them were:

(c) The Tolkappiyam was written by Tolkappiar, in second Sangam. It has mentioned four castes, namely, Brahmanas, Kings, Traders and Farmers. It ignores most of the other names of people. This show the influence of the Sanskritic social ideal. The Brahmans during the Sangam Age were a respectable and learned community. They served the king occasionally as judicial officers and always as preists and astrologers. The Vaishyas were assigned the duties of learning, performing sacrifice, making gifts, agriculture, protection of cows etc. The Vellalars were landed aristocrats who cultivated wetlands. The ordinary ploughmen were known as uzhavar and the landless labourers were known as kadasiyar and adimai.