• During the 1,000 B.C., the present states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala (in southern India) were inhabited by megalithic people. The important phase of the ancient history of south India is from the Megalithic period to about A.D. 300.

Megalithic Phase

• The literary meaning of the term megaliths is ‘big stones’ i.e. ‘mega’ means big and ‘lit’ means stones.
• But the big stones are not associated with the megalith culture.
• The megalithic culture is known for its burials.
• The abundance of iron tools and a Black-and-Red pottery with the burials is the main identifying features of the megalithic culture.
• The megalithic culture suggests that there was an abrupt change from the Neolithic stage into the Iron Age.
• And, they did not experience the intermediate Chalcolithic or Bronze Age.

Megalithic Tools

• Undoubtedly, there was a wide range of variety in Megalithic construction, but the typical identity was a Black-and-Red ware and distinctive iron tools. They have uniformity all over the peninsula.
• The pottery shapes include conical or looped lids, carinated vases, pedestalled bowls, spouted dishes, etc.
• The iron tool includes axes with crossed straps, sickles, tripods, tridents, spearheads, swords, lamp hangers, arrowheads, and lamps.
• Iron Age, in the history of India, is a period when the use of iron for tools and weapons became common, but during this time, the dated literature also began to be written. Therefore, the period of Megalithics marked a point in time where prehistory ends and history begins.
• The builders of these Megalithics remain unknown to northern people because no reference to these monuments has been traced in Sanskrit or Prakrit literature though the early Tamil literature does contain descriptions of these burial practices.
• Sources of Megalithic Period
• The earliest account about the people and kingdoms of the area are preserved in three forms that is Ashokan inscriptions; Sangam literature; and Megasthenese's accounts.
• The Rock Edict II and XIII of Ashoka described the southern kingdoms of Chola, Pandya, Satyaputra, Keralaputra, and Tambapanni.
• Ashoka's kindness to these neighboring states has been very much proved by the fact that he made provisions for medicines and food items etc. for animals and humans of these kingdoms.
• In the Hathigumpha inscription of Kharvela, it has been found that Ashoka was credited for defeating a confederacy of Tamil states.
• A detailed description of south Indian states is found in Sangam literature belonging to the first four centuries of the Christian era.
• The Tamil language is the oldest among the spoken and literary languages of south India. Sangam literature was written in this language.
• The Pandyan kings assembled literary assemblies called as ‘Sangam’.
• Sangam literature consisted the collection of verses, lyrics, and idylls, which were composed by poets and scholars.
• Sangam literature preserves folk memory about the society and life (in south India) between the 3rd Century B.C. and 3rd century A.D.

• In the 4th century B.C. the cultural and economic contact between the north and Deep South known as ‘Tamilkam’ or ‘Tamizhakam’ became extremely important.
• The route to south called ‘Dakshinapath’ was valued greatly by people of north because south supplied golds, pearls, and various precious stones.
• The Asokan inscription of 2nd and 13th Rock Edicts mentions the Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Satyaputuras, and Tamrapani or people of Sri Lanka. Of theser only the Stayaputras are not clearly identified.
• Asoka’s title ‘dear to god’ was adopted by Tamil chiefs.

The pandayas (emblem – fish)

• The Pandyas were first mentioned by Megas hanese, who said that their kingdom was famous for pearls.
• The Pandyan territory included the modem districts of Tirnelvell, Ramanad and Maduari in Tamil Nadu it had its capital at Madurari, situated on the banks of Vaigai river.
• The Pandya king profited from trade with Roman empire and sent emissaries to Roman emperor Augusts and Trojan.
• The Pandyas are mentioned in Asokan edicts and in the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• The earliest known Pandyan ruler was Mudukudumi, who as a great conqueror.
• The most reputed Pandyan ruler was Nedunjhelian who ruled from Madurai. He accused Kovalan of theft. Thus, the city of Madhurai was laid under a curse by Kannagi.

The cholas (emblem – tiger)

• The Chola kingdom called as Cholamandalam was situated to the North East of Pandya kingdom between Pennar and VellarRiver.
• The Chola kingdom corresponded to modern Tanjore and Tiruchirapalli districts.
• Its inland capital was ‘Uraiyur’ a place famous for cotton trade.
• Puhar identical with Kaveripathanam was the main port of Cholas and served as altermative capital of Cholas.
• The earliest known Chola king was Elara who in 2nd century B.C. conquered Sri lanka and ruled over it for nearly 50 years.
• Their greatest king was KARIKALA (man with charred leg) who founded Puhar and constructed 160 km of embankment along the KaveriRiver.
• One of the main source of wealth of Cholas was trade in cotton cloth.
• The maintained an efficient navy.
• The Cholas were wiped out in the attack of Pallavas from North.

The cheras – (emblem – bow)

• The Chera country occupied the portion of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• The capital of Cheras was Vanjji.
• It main parts were Muzris and Tondi.
• The Romans set up two regiment at Muzris identical with Cranganore in Chera country. They also built a temple of Augustus at Muzris.
• One of the earliest and better known among Chera rulers was ‘Udiyangeral’. It is said that he fed both the armies of Kurukshetra war and so earned the title Udiyangeral.
• The greatest of Chera king however was ‘Senguttuvan’ or Red Chera. It is said that he invaded north and even crossed the Ganga.
• He was also the founder of the famous ‘Pattini culti’ related to worship of goddess of chastiy – Kannagi.

Sangam administration

• The king was the center of administration. He was called Ko, Mannam, Vendan Korravan or Iraivan.
• Avai           - Court of crowned monarch.
• Perunal – Kings birthday.
• Officials : (1) Amaichehar – Ministers (2) Purohitar – Purohits (3) Dutar – Envoys (4) Senapatiyar – Senapati (5) Ordar – Spies.
• The kingdom was divided into mandalam, nada (province) urs (town), sirur (small village), perur (big village).
• Pattinam- name of coastal town
• Puhar-Harbour areas.
• Cheri- suburb of town.

Revenue administration

Social life

• The kshatriyas and vaishyas appear as regular varna in Sangam text. But warriors form an important element in polity and society.
• VELLALAAS- Rich peasants, ARASAR – ruling class
• Kadaisiyar- was the member of lowest class and they performed agricultural operations.
• Pariyars- A gricultural labourers.
• Puliyans- Rope makers
• Religion- The people of hilly areas worshipped Murugan who came to be called Subryamanya in earlier medieval times.
• Indra- Was god of Marudam worshiped by agriculturist
• Varuna- The fisherman and people of coastal region worshipped Varuana.
• Korravai- Goddess of Vicotry.
• Other Known gods were Shiva, Kuber, Yama, Tirumala, (Vishnu), Balram etc.

Sangam literature

• Samgam was a college or assembly of Tamil poets held probably under royal patronage of Pandyan kings in Madurai. Tradition persists thatit lasted for 9990 years attended by 8,598 poets and 197 Pandyan kings.
• The first Sangam was attended by gods and legendary sages and all its works have perished.
• Of the second sangam, there survives only the work of the early Tamil Grammar “Tolkappiyam” written by Tolkapiyyar.
• The Sangam literature can roughly be divided into two groups narrative and didactic.
• The narrative text are called Melkannaku or eighteen major works consisting of eight anthologies (Ethutogai) and ten idylls (Pattupattu).
• The didactic works are called Kilkannaku or eighteen minr work consisting of Tirukural and Naladiyar.

The epics

• Silappadikaram (Jewelled Anklet)
• Written by Ilango Adigal, it deal with her story of Kovalam and Madhavi of Kaveripahinam.
• Manimekalai         - Written by Sattnar, deal with adventure of daughter born of Kovalan and Madhavi.
• Sivaga Sindamani  -Written by Tiruttakkardevas.