Important Texts of Sangam Era

Last Updated : 23 Sep, 2022

Sangam Era topic belongs to Ancient Indian History. At present, the number of questions in the history section is increasing in exams like SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, RAILWAYS BANKING, and other competitive exams also. So here we are presenting a topic of important texts of the Sangam Era. The description of the topic will improve the knowledge of the candidates.

Brief Description About Sangam-

Sangam is a Sanskrit word that means union.
It was an ancient meeting of Tamil poets and scholars in the Tamilakam region of the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers.
Along with the union of Tamil poets and scholars, it was also a meeting of the cultures of North and South India.
In the Sangam culture, we get information about the cultures of the three states of South India, Chola, Chera, and Pandya.
A total of three Sangams were held at the Pandya kings.
But from these confluences, we get more information regarding the Chera kingdom.
The Sangam literature was written in the Tamil language.
In Sangam literature, the poems of the Agam class are related to the subject of love.
A total of five epics were written during the Sangam period – Silappadikaram, Manimekhalai, Jivakachintamani, Valayapati, and Kundalakesi.
The first of these epics are available.
1. Shilpadikaram (Nupur’s story)
Writer – Elangoadigal (brother of Chera ruler Shengutvan)
Its hero Kovalan was a businessman and the heroine Kannagi was the daughter of a merchant.
The story of this book is related to Kaveripatnam, in which the hero Kovalan later falls in love with a prostitute named Madhavi.
Kovalan is hanged by the Pandya ruler Nedujelian.
This epic describes the unfortunate story of Kovalan and Kannagi.
This book is called the Iliad of Tamil Literature.
2. Manimekhlai (bracelet with beads)
Writer – Seetalaisattanar
It is considered a Buddhist book.
Its story begins from where the story of Shilpdikaram ends.
The heroine of this epic is Manimekhlai.
She is the daughter of Kovalan born to Madhavi
In the end, the heroine of the story becomes a Buddhist monk.
This book is called the Odissi of Tamil literature.
The story of this book is related to philosophical and philosophical topics
3. Jeevak Chintamani
Writer – Tirutakkatevar
The author of this book was probably a Chola prince.
This book is also called the Book of Deity.
Because the protagonist of this book, Jivaka, lives a life of joy by marrying eight queens by his might, but later becomes a Jain monk.
4. Perungdai
Writer – Kangleveer
In this great poem, there is a story about the adventures of Nakhandatta, son of the famous king Udayin of Kaushambi.
5. Sulamani
Writer – Tolmoli
This literature is counted among the five short poems of Tamil literature.
6. Tolkappiyam
Writer – Tolkappiyar
It is the only oldest text available from the Second Sangam.
This is a grammar book. It is composed in Sutra style.
Along with grammar, the rules of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha are also given in this book.
7. Eladi
This is an important text of the Sangam era.
In this book, information about the religious condition of the Sangam period is obtained.
The essence of the four Vedas is described in this book.
8. Shirupanchakkalam
In this Sangam-age book, we get the description of medicines.
It contains a table of medicines used in the treatment of various diseases.
9. Tirakdukam
In this Sangam-age book, we get the description of medicines.
It contains a table of medicines used in the treatment of various diseases.
10. Palpoli –
From this text of the Sangam era, we get the description of ancient legends or ancient stories.
This book is ranked third after Kural and Naldiyar.
This is a hymn text.
11. Acharkauai –
This is a famous text of the Sangam era.
This book is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many legends related to Shiva have been mentioned in this book.
From this book, we also get to know about the importance of Lord Shiva in the Sangam period.