Sangam Age and Early Tamilakam
BPSC demand
Learn text–genre, dynasty–port, landscape–life and trade-source pairs. “Sangam” names an early Tamil literary corpus and tradition; do not invent a precisely dated, modern-style academy.
Core map
| Power | Association | Port/place |
|---|---|---|
| Chera | western Tamilakam | Muziris |
| Chola | Kaveri delta | Puhar/Kaveripattinam |
| Pandya | southern Tamil region | Madurai, Korkai |
Literature
| Term | Safe association |
|---|---|
| Ettuthokai | Eight Anthologies |
| Pattuppattu | Ten Idylls |
| Tolkappiyam | Tamil grammar and poetics |
| Silappadikaram | Post-Sangam Tamil epic |
| tinai | Landscape-based poetic classification |
Key facts
Cholas are linked with Puhar, Pandyas with Korkai and Madurai, and the Chera region with Muziris. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Roman coins show maritime contact, not Roman rule. Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions and hero stones supplement poems.