MAINS 2013
GS1
10 marks
Though not very useful from the point of view of a connected political history of South India, the Sangam literature portrays the social and economic conditions of its time with remarkable vividness. Comment.
WRITE IN
7 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Comment on why Sangam texts are weak for political chronology but rich on society and economy.
CommentGive your own view on the statement and back it with facts and examples.
Demand-wise check
- 1Weakness: poetic, eulogistic, no dates, uncertain chronology; kings and chieftains named without sequence≈35 words
- 2Social picture: five tinai landscapes, varied occupations, women poets, hero stones, bards (panar)≈35 words
- 3Economic picture: agriculture in Kaveri delta, trade with Romans (Yavanas), ports Muziris and Puhar, crafts≈35 words
- 4Corroboration: Arikamedu excavations, Periplus, Roman coins≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Nature of Sangam corpusPolitical limitsSocial lifeEconomic lifeArchaeological corroborationConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Listing Sangam texts without proving the 'vividness' point
- Overstating political value without noting chronology problems
Draw this
- Table of five tinai: landscape, occupation, deity
Value addition
- ArchaeologyArikamedu near Puducherry yielded Roman amphorae and Arretine ware, confirming Sangam-age Roman trade.Excavations by Mortimer Wheeler, 1945
- SourceThe Muziris Papyrus (2nd century CE) records a loan for cargo shipped from Muziris to Alexandria.Muziris Papyrus, Vienna
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 23 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Abhishek Singh · Page 9 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Ritika Chitlangia · Page 10 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Ajay R Raj · AIR 109 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.