சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் அளவீடுகள்: Measurements in Sangam Literature

Abstract

Sangam literature serves as a mirror reflecting the lifestyle of the ancient Tamils. The scientific and mathematical notations employed by a people constitute vital evidence for assessing the civilizational evolution of that community. In this context, Sangam literature reveals that the Tamil society of two millennia ago was not merely a community rich in imaginative literature, but also an intellectual society grounded in precise scientific and commercial principles.

During the Sangam era—a period defined by landscape-based lifestyles (Tinai) and both domestic and foreign trade—systems of measurement were indispensable for the barter system and state administration. It can be observed that the methods used to measure goods in the barter system were determined by the nature and value of the commodities themselves. This article aims to examine—drawing upon the principles found in Sangam literature—the systems of linear, volumetric, and weight measurements used by the ancient Tamils, as well as the underlying socio-economic and scientific contexts.