Tag: prehistoric tamil nadu

Umnar only exchanged salt during Sangam Age. In the rural markets, salt merchants known as Umanar usually produced the goods, transported them and sold them directly to the consumers, they traveled with their families in trains of carts.

The Cheras, the Pandyas, and the Cholas together were called Moovendans. The capitals of the Cheras, the Pandyas, and the Cholas were Muchiri, Madurai, and Uraiyur respectively. Muchiri, Thondi, Vakai, Mantai, Kaveripattanam, etc. were the major port cities of the period. Major trade centres in the southern part were located in these three empires.

Pepper was the major commodity that the Romans took from ancient Tamilakam. Foreign trade brought in a large amount of internationally convertible Roman currency.

The Chola dynasty was the most civilized and one of the longest ruling dynasties in the history of southern India. The dynasty originated in the rich Kaveri (Cauvery) River valley. Uraiyur (now Tiruchchirappalli) was its oldest capital.  The Chola empire stretched from the Vaigai River in the south to Tondaimandalam, the capital of which was Kanci (now Kanchipuram), in the north.

Megalithic monuments refer to the monuments made up of large stones. However, not all monuments constructed out of large stones are megalithic. Different types of iron tools have been discovered from megalithic monuments. They include a sword, spear, knife, book, lamp, nail and so on. Hence, this period is known as the Iron age in South Indian History.

Thus, the correct answer is D.

The excavation at Pattanam suggests that the site was occupied by the Iron age people for the first time, followed by Rome. A large number of Roman Amphora Sherds, Terra Sigillata Shreds, Sassanian, Yemenite and other West Asian potteries depict about the trade relations of Kerala with Rome and other West Asian countries.

Thus, the correct answer is B.

The Cheras were the ruling dynasty of the present-day state of Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu in South India. Their capital was Muziri also known as Vanchi. The Early Cheras are said to have spanned the period between the 4th century BCE to 5th century CE. and the later Cheras were in power between the 8th and 12th century.

The Pandyas ruled regions in southern India which now lie in the state of Tamil Nadu, existing there alongside other dynasties such as the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pallavas, etc. Their capital was Madurai from 3rd century BCE to 1345 CE. The Pandyan kings were Jains in their early ages but later became Shaivaites.

Kurinji was the hilly, forested terrain rich with verdant slopes, flowers, birds, bees and wildlife. It was the home of the nomads, the hunters and lovers of nature. The poems of this land abound with an energy and enthusiasm characteristic of a people who thrive in the wildness of nature. Hunting and collecting of forest resources were the means of livelihood of the people in the hilly Kurinchi during Sangam age.

Megalithic culture in India is most prominently associated with Southern India, characterized by large stone burial monuments like dolmens and urns.