சங்க கால மருதநில வேளாண் பயிர்களும், தொழிலும்

Abstract

Agriculture was central to the economic, social, and cultural development of Sangam-age Tamil society. Fertile river valleys and Marudha plains, enriched by abundant water, rich soil, and irrigation facilities, became the heartlands of production. Rivers such as the Kaveri, Vaigai, Tamiraparani, Bhavani, Amaravati, and Noyyal sustained this growth. Sangam literature and archaeological evidence reveal the diversity of crops, farming methods, tools, and occupations. Rice and sugarcane dominated the Marudha lands, while red rice (Sennel), white rice (Vennel), millet (Kambu), Varagu, sorghum (Cholam), green gram (Pachai Payaru), and beans (Mochai) were also cultivated. Tools like the plough (Kalappai), iron ploughshare (Er), irrigation channels (Nanjil), yoke (Nugam), sickle (Arival), grinding stone (Ammi), digging stick (Kuzhavi), water-lift (Etram), and threshing floor (Thalampu) illustrate technological progress. Sites such as Porunthal, Sivakalai, Kodumanal, Adichanallur, Keeladi, and Uraiyur provide evidence of production and storage. Agriculture thus underpinned food security, trade, social organization, and governance.

Keywords

• Paddy
• Sugarcane
• Iron Plough
• Farmers
• Fertile River Plains
• Hill Tracts
• Archaeology
• Inscriptions
• Harvest
• Trade