c. 500 BCE – c. 300 CE

Public Administration in Sangam Age

The earliest information we have about the people and kingdoms of South India comes from three sources: Ashokan inscriptions, Sangam literature, and the accounts of the Greek ambassador to the Mauryan court, Megasthenese. The southern kingdoms of Chola, Pandya, Satyaputra, and Cheras are mentioned in the Rock Edicts II and XIII of Ashoka. All of these were outside of Ashoka’s empire, but there were supplies of medicine, food, and other items for both animals and people in these nearby states.^[1] The most important source that gives us descriptions of the early South Indian states is actually the Sangam literature dated between the fifth century BCE and the third century CE is.^[2] This literature written in Tamil is a collection of odes, lyrics, and idylls composed by writers and scholars to be read at three literary gatherings called “Sangam” that were set up by the Pandyan kings. The Sangam literature is a record of how people in south India lived and provides valuable information on the polity of the early Chola, Pandya, and Cheras as well. This period is known as Sangam Age in South Indian history. ^[3]

The Cholas controlled the fertile and irrigated lands around the Kaveri basin, establishing their capital at Uraiyur (present-day Tiruchirapalli). The Pandyas ruled over the littoral and pastoral parts with Madurai as their capital. The Cheras controlled the hilly region in the west, establishing their capital at Vanji (present-day Karur). During this time, monarchy was the form of government. The king called as Ko, Vendan Korravan, Mannam and Iral. The centre of administration was in the hands of kings. The local chieftains were known as Velirs. Laws of succession were followed, and the eldest son had the right to take over for his father. The king was considered the representative of god. This theory of divine association of monarchy was expressed by the word Irai. South Indian polity took great interest in the welfare of the people as it was the king’s duty to uphold the rule of dharma in his kingdom. He was the protector of the law. In his Court, the king met with the people, listened to what they had to say, and gave them justice. Sangam literature informs us that the rulers of the Sangam age like Karikalan, Manu Needhi Cholan, and Porkai Pandyan had a reputation for being fair when they gave justice. Avai was the royal court.^[4]

Sangam Age polity comprised a range of officials to run the administration efficiently. During the Sangam Age, two councils served the purpose of providing the king with assistance in his day-to-day administrative responsibilities. They were known as Aimperunkulu which was the ‘Assembly of the Great Five’ and Enperayam which was ‘The Council of the Great Eight.’ Amaichchar (Ministers), Purohitar (Priests), Dutar (Envoys), Senapatiyar (Commander), and Orar (Spies) were a few of the important officials of the period. During the Sangam Age, each kingdom was divided into many units for proper administration like Mandalam, Nadu, Ur, Perur, Sirur, Valanadu, and Koottram. The villages were run by a group of elder people who met as a council. Manram, Avai, Podiyil, and Ambalam were the village councils.^[5]

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