Economy of the Sangam Age
Agriculture
was the chief occupation. Rice was the common crop. Ragi, sugarcane, cotton,
pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and a variety of fruits were the other
crops. Jack fruit and pepper were famous in the Chera country. Paddy was the
chief crop in the Chola and Pandya country.
The handicrafts of the Sangam period were popular. They include weaving,
metal works and carpentry, ship building and making of ornaments using beads,
stones and ivory. There was a great demand for these products, as the internal
and external trade was at its peak during the Sangam period. Spinning and
weaving of cotton and silk clothes attained a high quality. The poems mention
the cotton clothes as thin as a cloud of steam or a slough of a snake. There
was a great demand in the western world for the cotton clothes woven at
Uraiyur.
Both internal and foreign trade was well
organized and briskly carried on in the Sangam Age. The Sangam literature,
Greek and Roman accounts and the archaeological evidences provide detailed
information on this subject. Merchants carried the goods on the carts and on
animal-back from place to place. Internal trade was mostly based on the barter
system.
External trade was carried between South India and the Greek kingdoms.
After the ascendancy of the Roman Empire, the Roman trade assumed importance.
The port city of Puhar became an emporium of foreign trade, as big ships
entered this port with precious goods. Other ports of commercial activity include
Tondi, Musiri, Korkai, Arikkamedu and Marakkanam. The author of Periplus
provides the most valuable information on foreign trade. Plenty of gold and
silver coins issued by the Roman Emperors like Augustus, Tiberius and Nero were
found in all parts of Tamil Nadu. They reveal the extent of the trade and the
presence of Roman traders in the Tamil country. The main exports of the Sangam
age were cotton fabrics, spices like pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and
turmeric, ivory products, pearls and precious stones. Gold, horses and sweet
wine were the chief imports.
End of the Sangam Age
Towards the end of the third century A.D., the Sangam period slowly
witnessed its decline. The Kalabhras occupied the Tamil country for about two
and a half centuries. We have little information about the Kalabhra rule.
Jainism and Buddhism became prominent during this period. The Pallavas in the
northern Tamil Nadu and Pandyas in southern Tamil Nadu drove the Kalabhras out
of the Tamil country and established their rule.
Related Topics
Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant
Copyright © 2018-2023 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.