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Agriculture as Depicted in Sangam Literature

C. Krishnamurthy; M. Kavitha

Abstract

Agriculture was the primary occupation of the Tamil people during the Sangam period. It provided high social status to those engaged in farming. During this time, there were five types of land classifications. Tamils exhibited exceptional skills in understanding soil types, selecting seeds, irrigation techniques, agricultural practices, and methods to protect crops. Agriculture formed the backbone of the Tamil economy and played a pivotal role in societal development. This study focuses on the insights provided by Sangam literature regarding agricultural practices and their significance.

Full text

http://www.shanlaxjournals.com 165 £UP® Shanlax International Journal of Tamil Research Agriculture as Depicted in Sangam Literature C. Krishnamurthy Ph.D. Research Scholar (Part-time), Department of Tamil Erode Arts and Science College, Erode Dr. M. Kavitha Assistant Professor, Department of Tamil Erode Arts and Science College, Erode Abstract Agriculture was the primary occupation of the Tamil people during the Sangam period. It provided high social status to those engaged in farming. During this time, there were five types of land classifications. Tamils exhibited exceptional skills in understanding soil types, selecting seeds, irrigation techniques, agricultural practices, and methods to protect crops. Agriculture formed the backbone of the Tamil economy and played a pivotal role in societal development. This study focuses on the insights provided by Sangam literature regarding agricultural practices and their significance. Keywords: Hard Soil & Mountain/Wasteland, Soft Soil & Fertile Rainfed Land, Cultivated Soil & Enriched Land, Unproductive Land & Marshy Areas, Tools & Implements for Farming, Methods for Ploughing & Sowing, Harvesting & Storage Techniques References 1. Tolkappiyam Porul, p.5 2. Narrinai, p.59, 5&6 3. Purananuru, p.42, 15 4. Pathitrupathu, p.58, 15 5. Purananuru, p.311, 11&12 6. Thirukkural, 1038 7. Purananuru, p.61, 3 8. Kalithogai, p.108, 60 9. Purananuru, p.333, 11&12 10. Melathu, p.118, 1&3 11. Narrinai, p.393, 4&6 12. Purananuru, p.28, 1&3 ©»º: 10 ]Ó¨¤uÌ: 1 ©õu®: AU@hõ£º Á¸h®: 2025 P-ISSN: 2454-3993 E-ISSN: 2582-2810 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/ zenodo.17346708 öu. v. C¢xUPÀ¿›, |õPº÷PõÂÀ 166 £UP® £ßÚõmkU P¸zuµ[P® : Œ©Põ»z uªÇõ#Ĩ @£õUSPÒ \[P C»UQ¯[PÒ Põmk® ÷ÁÍõsø© ]. Q¸èn‰ºzv •øÚÁº £mh B#Ä ©õnÁº (£Sv÷|µ®), uªÌzxøÓ D÷µõk Pø» ©ØÖ® AÔ¯À PÀ¿›, D÷µõk •øÚÁº •. PÂuõ Eu¨ ÷£µõ]›¯º, uªÌzxøÓ D÷µõk Pø» ©ØÖ® AÔ¯À PÀ¿›, D÷µõk B#Äa _¸UP® \[PPõ» uªÇºPÎß •UQ¯z öuõÈ»õP ÷ÁÍõsø© ÂÍ[Q¯x. 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