| Tamil Nadu History |
| Social Life | |
| In the Sangam Age, the Tamil people had a common language and culture. But, they lived in five different natural landscapes. These natural landscapes or geographical regions were known as Thinais. The five Thinais referred to in the Sangam literature were Kurinji, Mullai, Marudham, Neydal and Palai, Each Thinai was geographically distinct from the other. Moreover, each of these regions had reflected their own social characteristics. |
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| Kurinji | |
The Kurinji Thinai refers
to the hilly region. The people in this region were called Vettuvar
and Kuravar. Hunting was their primary occupation. They also cultivated
fruits and vegetables and gathered honey. They worshipped Murugan
or Seyon. |
Mullai
It is a forest tract with green pastures. The people of this region domesticated animals. The people of the Mullai region were called as Kovalar or Ayar. Being shepherds, they produced dairy products like milk, curd and ghee. Their chief deity was Thirumal or Mayon.
Marudham
The region Marudham refers to fertile and cultivable lands. Most of the people in this region were called as Vellalars because they practiced agriculture. They cultivated paddy, sugar cane and a variety of fruits like mango, plantain and Jackfruit. Irrigation methods were also known to them. Their chief deity was Indra or the rain God.
Neydal
Neydal was the coastal region. The people of this region known as Parathavar or Meenavar. Fishing was their natural occupation. They were also famous sailors. A few people of this region produced and sold salt. They were called as Umanar. The God of the Neydal region was Varunan or the God of the sea.
Palai:
The term Palai refers to the desert region. But, there
was no desert in the Tamil country. Therefore, it could be said that whenever
there was drought due to failure of rains, that region was called as Palai.
The people of this region were called as Maravar or Kalvar. They were
forced to live as robbers due to poverty. Maravar were also known for
their heroism. These people worshipped the Goddess Kotravai or Kali.
We have already studied about the pre society in the Tamil country. The
Sangam age was the continuation of the pre-historic period. As in the
pre-historic period, the life of the people in the Sangam age had remained
simple and natural. The Sangam Tamils had chosen their occupation according
to their natural environment. Although they lived in five different regions,
there was a close interaction between them. This interaction had resulted
in the development of a common language and culture in the Tamil country.
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