Sangam Age

Sangam Age marks a key phase in ancient South Indian history under Pandya patronage, known for three legendary Sangams (academies of Tamil poets) called Muchchangam.
Three Sangams
•    First Sangam: At Then Madurai; attended by gods and sages; no surviving works.
•    Second Sangam: At Kapadapuram; only Tolkappiyam survives.
•    Third Sangam: Founded by Mudathirumaran at Madurai; produced voluminous literature, few works extant.
Sangam Literature
•    Tolkappiyam: By Tolkappiyar; earliest Tamil grammar; covers political, socio-economic conditions.
•    Ettutogai (Eight Anthologies): Aingurunooru, Narrinai, Aganaooru, Purananooru, Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal, Padirruppattu.
•    Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls): Thirumurugarruppadai, Porunararruppadai, Sirupanarruppadai, Perumpanarruppadai, Mullaippattu, Nedunalvadai, Maduraikkanji, Kurinjippatttu, Pattinappalai, Malaipadukadam.
•    Themes: Divided into Aham (love) and Puram (valour).
•    Pathinenkilkanakku: Eighteen ethical works; Tirukkural by Thiruvalluvar most important.
•    Epics: Silappathigaram (Elango Adigal), Manimegalai (Sittalai Sattanar); detail polity and society.
Other Sources
•    Greek accounts (Megasthenes, Strabo, Pliny, Ptolemy): Commercial ties with West.
•    Asokan inscriptions: Mention Chera, Chola, Pandya rulers.
•    Hathikumbha inscription (Kharavela): References Tamil kingdoms.
•    Excavations (Arikkamedu, Poompuhar, Kodumanal): Evidence overseas trade.
Period/Chronology
•    Fixed 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD.
•    Basis: Gajabhagu II (Sri Lanka) was a contemporary of Cheran Senguttuvan (Silappathigaram, Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa);
•    abundant 1st century AD Roman coins; literary, archaeological, numismatic evidence.