Question

Indicate how the industries and crafts of the Sangam Age contribute to their economy.

Answer 1

1. Craft production and craft specialisation were important aspects of urbanisation.
2. In the Sangam Age there were professional groups that produced various commodities.
3. The system of production of commodities is called industry.
4. Iron smelting was undertaken in traditional furnaces and such furnaces have been found in many archaeological sites.
5. Evidence of iron smelting was found in Kodumanal and Guttur.
6. Iron implements for agriculturcmhd warfare were produced.
7. Roman gold coins were used to make jewellery.
8. Evidence of gold smelting was found at Pattanam in Kerala.
9. Specialised groups called vanikars travelled in groups trading goods and commodities between regions.
10. Barter was the primary mode of exchange.
11. Tamilagam exported pepper, ivory and precious stones to the western world and imported gold, silver, copper etc.
12. Indian pottery has been discovered at Berenike, a port on the Red Sea Coast.
13. A stone with the name ‘Perumpatankal’ has been found at Khuan Luk Pat, Thailand.
14. South East Asia was known as Suvama Bhoomi in Tamil literature.
15. The economy of the Sangam Age was mixed as elaborated in the Thinai concept. People practiced agriculture, pastoralism, trade and money exchange, hunting and gathering and fishing depending upon the eco zones in which they lived.