Q93. Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?
a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.
b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethics.
d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.
Answer – B
- The Sangam age refers to that period in the early history of south India when large numbers of poems in Tamil were composed by a number of authors. . The term Sangam refers to an assembly or “meeting together” of Tamil poets.
- Statement a is incorrect: Sangam poems contain several incidental references to material culture, often as part of the poem’s setting or in similes and allusions.
- Statement b is correct: There is mention of the Arashar (kings), Vaishiyar (traders), and Velalar (farmers). The Brahmanas are also mentioned, some of them closely associated with the courts of kings and patronized by ruling elites.
- Statement c is incorrect: Sangam Poems are pervaded with a warrior ethic. Puram in Sangam literature are the War Poems that deal with the outer life of people. Speak of public celebration of the feats of the heroes even the death of heroes in wars.
- Statement d is incorrect: Sangam literature reflects a belief in sacred or magical forces called ananke that was supposed to inhabit various objects. The job of carrying out rites an rituals to control the ranks was that of groups such as the pariyans, tuitions, panas and vegans.
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