Cheras, Cholas & Pandyas

“During Sangam age south India was ruled by 3 dynasties namely Cheras, Cholas & Pandyas”

Cheras (Keralaputras)

Capital → Vanji

Seaports → Muziri & Tondi

Emblem → Bow

• Roman Temple of Augustus (Later destroyed by Tipu)
• Greatest Ruler: Senguttuvan (Red/Good Chera)
• Trade: Pepper (Yavanpriya) + Jackfruit with Romans

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Cholas (Cholamandam)

Emblem → Tiger

Chief crop → Paddy

• Greatest Ruler: Karikala → Founded Puhar (Kaveripatanam) → Capital on river Kaveri
• Seaport → Puhar (became center of commerce & trade)
• Uraipur: Chief Political Center Famous for Cotton trade

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Pandyas

Emblem → Carp

Chief crop → Paddy

• Founded by a woman king
• Patronized Sangam assembly at capital Madurai
• Famous for its pearls trade

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Imp. Features of 3 kingdoms

• Major Revenue Source: Agriculture + Trade (Custom duty) + Warbooty
• Main influence of Brahamans → (Sacrifices + Dakshina) Prominent
• Primary Deity → Seyon / Murugan / Known as Subramaniyam in medieval times along with other gods worshipped were Vishnu & Indra

Ruling class	Arasar
Lowest class	Kadaisiyar
Military captains	Enadi
Rich Peasants	Vellasem
Agricultural labours	Pariyars (who worked in animal skin)

• Artisans were organized in Shrenis acc. to work which had judicial power over them & can issue loans to workers.
• Chief exports were Cotton fabric, Pepper (Yavanpriya), Ivory, Cardamom, Pearl, Cinnamon & Precious stones & chief imports were Gold, Horses, sweet wines & Coins (Gold & Silver)
• In north, Mathura was famous for a special kind of cloth called “Shataka”