Sangam Era: Polity, Economy, Trade and Military

During the Sangam era in ancient India, society was organized into distinct political and economic structures. The Sangam polity comprised rulers at three levels: Kizhar, Vendar, and Velir, each with their own territories and forms of governance. Economic activities were diverse, with trade, agriculture, and craft production playing crucial roles in generating revenue for the state.

Overview of Sangam Civilization: Polity and Economy

A. Sangam Polity

• Thinai Classification: reflects varying socio-economic developments in different localities during the Sangam Age.
• This classification also extended to political forms with three levels of rulers:

B. Sangam Economy

Revenue

• Trade as Revenue Source: Foreign and domestic trade was an important source of revenue.
• Custom and Transit Duties: were collected from merchants who moved their goods from place to place.
  • Custom officials functioned in Puhar.
• Types of Contributions:  The Tamil literature mentions irai and tirai as two types of contributions received by the chieftains. While irai was a regular contribution, tirai was a tribute.
• Spoils of War as Revenue: Spoils of war were another source of income.
• Agriculture as a Revenue: Agriculture provided regular income, though the share of King was not specified.
• Taxation on Highways and Ports: Evidence of taxation is found on highways and in the port of Kaviripattinam.

Agriculture

• Crops: Produced paddy, ragi and sugarcane.
• The Tamil region produced grains, fruit, spices (especially pepper) and turmeric.

Craft Production

• Diverse Craft Production: It includes making Bronze vessels, beads, goldwork, textiles, shell bangles, ornaments, glass, iron smithy, and pottery.
• Major Urban Centres: for craft production were Arikamedu, Uraiyur, Kanchipuram, Kaviripattinam, Madurai, Korkai, and Pattanam in Kerala.
• Description of Markets: Maduraikanchi (written by Mangudi Maruthanar) describes day and night markets offering diverse crafted items.

Trade 

• Barter: was common in trade alongside the use of coins. 
• Roman Influence in Southern India: Presence of Roman Coins in Coimbatore Hoards

Roman gold and silver coins are found in hoards in southern India, including Coimbatore.

• Evidence of Long distance trade: Archaeological sites demonstrate long-distance trade, including links to the Roman Empire, Egypt,  Arabia, Malay archipelago and China.
• Maritime Trade: Early historic ports revealed Roman amphorae, glassware, indicating active maritime trade. 
• Pottery Inscriptions: indicate non-Tamil-speaking traders in Sangam Age craft centres and towns.
• Presence of Foreign Artisans: Sangam text “Manimegalai” mentions Magadha artisans, Maratha mechanics, Malva smiths, and Yavana carpenters working with Tamil craftsmen.
• Trade Terminology: Trade-related terms like vanikan (trader), chattan, and nigama appear in Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions.
• Umanar: Umanar, or salt merchants, travelled in bullock carts with their families for trade.
• Chattu: referred to mobile merchants or itinerant traders.
• Items of Trade: included Ivory, Pearls, precious stones, muslin, silk, cotton cloth etc.

Army

• State Funding of Military: The state maintained a regular army from the taxes collected from the peasantry.
• Composition of the Army: It consisted of chariots drawn by oxen, Elephants, cavalry and infantry.
• Military Ranks: The nobles and princes or captains rode on elephants and the commander rode on chariots.

Conclusion

The Sangam era was characterized by a complex political landscape with rulers at various levels of authority. Economic activities such as trade, agriculture, and craft production were vital sources of revenue, sustaining both the state and its military apparatus. This period stands as a testament to the richness and diversity of ancient Indian civilization.

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