History (Ancient India History :- Cheras, Cholas & Pandyas)

Ancient India History :- Cheras, Cholas & Pandyas

“During Sangam age south India was ruled by 3 dynasties namely Cheras, Cholas & Pandyas”

Cheras (Keralaputras)

Capital → Vanji :- Seaports → Muziri & Tondi :- Emblem → Bow

 *Roman Temple of Augustus (Later destroyed by Tipu)

 *Greatest Ruler: Senguttuvan (Red/Good Chera)

 *Trade: Pepper (Yavanpriya) + Jackfruit with Romans

Cholas (Cholamandam)

Emblem → Tiger :- Chief crop → Paddy

 *Greatest Ruler: Karikala → Founded Puhar (Kaveripatanam) → Capital on river Kaveri

 *Seaport → Puhar (became center of commerce & trade)

 *Uraipur: Chief Political Center Famous for Cotton trade

Pandyas

Emblem → Carp :- Chief crop → Paddy

 *Founded by a woman king

 *Patronized Sangam assembly at capital Madurai

 *Famous for its pearls trade

Imp. Features of 3 kingdoms

 *Major Revenue Source: Agriculture + Trade (Custom duty) + Warbooty

 *Main influence of Brahamans → (Sacrifices + Dakshina) Prominent

 *Primary Deity → Seyon / Murugan / Known as Subramaniyam in medieval times along with other gods worshipped were Vishnu & Indra

Ruling class :- Arasar

Lowest class :- Kadaisiyar

Military captains :- Enadi

Rich Peasants :- Vellasem

Agricultural labours :- Pariyars (who worked in animal skin)

 *Artisans were organized in Shrenis acc. to work which had judicial power over them & can issue loans to workers.

 *Chief exports were Cotton fabric, Pepper (Yavanpriya), Ivory, Cardamom, Pearl, Cinnamon & Precious stones & chief imports were Gold, Horses, sweet wines & Coins (Gold & Silver)

 *In north, Mathura was famous for a special kind of cloth called “Shataka”