history of the Sangam Literature

Sangam Literature

The corpus of Sangam literature includes Tolkappiyam,
Ettutogai, Pattuppattu, Pathinenkilkanakku, and the two epics– Silappathigaram and Manimegalai. Tolkappiyam authored by
Tolkappiyar is the earliest of the Tamil literature. It is a work on
Tamil grammar but it provides information on the political and socioeconomic
conditions of the Sangam period. The Ettutogai or Eight
Anthologies consist of eight works – Aingurunooru, Narrinai,
Aganaooru, Purananooru, Kuruntogai, Kalittogai, Paripadal
and Padirruppattu. The Pattuppattu or Ten Idylls consist of ten
works – Thirumurugarruppadai, Porunararruppadai,
Sirupanarruppadai, Perumpanarruppadai, Mullaippattu,
Nedunalvadai, Maduraikkanji, Kurinjippatttu, Pattinappalai
and Malaipadukadam. Both Ettutogai and Pattuppattu were divided
into two main groups – Aham (love) and Puram (valour).
Pathinenkilkanakku contains eighteen works mostly dealing with
ethics and morals. The most important among them is Tirukkural
authored by Thiruvalluvar. Silappathigaram written by Elango
Adigal and Manimegalai by Sittalai Sattanar also provides valuable
information on the Sangam polity and society.

Other Sources

In addition to the Sangam literature, the Greek authors like

Megasthenes, Strabo, Pliny and Ptolemy mention the commercial

contacts between the West and South India. The Asokan inscriptions

mention the Chera, Chola and Pandya rulers on the south of the

Mauryan empire. The Hathikumbha inscription of Kharavela of

Kalinga also mentions about Tamil kingdoms. The excavations at

Arikkamedu, Poompuhar, Kodumanal and other places reveal the

overseas commercial activities of the Tamils.

Period of Sangam Literature

The chronology of the Sangam literature is still a disputed

topic among the scholars. The sheet anchor of Sangam chronology

lies in the fact that Gajabhagu II of Sri Lanka and CheranSenguttuvan of the Chera dynasty were contemporaries. This is

confirmed by Silappathigaram as well as the Dipavamsa and

Mahavamsa. Also the Roman coins issued by Roman emperors of

the first century A.D were found in plenty in various places of Tamil

Nadu. Therefore, the most probable date of the Sangam literature

has been fixed between the third century B.C. to third century A.D.

on the basis of literary, archaeological and numismatic evidences.