Goyal Brothers Solutions for ICSE Class 9 History Civics Chapter 6 The Sangam Age Kingdoms And The Social And Economic Conditions

Question 1. Name the oldest language of South India. OR Name the oldest Dravidian language.
Answer: Tamil is recognized as the most ancient Dravidian tongue of southern India.
In simple words: Tamil is the oldest spoken and written language in the southern part of India.
Exam Tip: Simply write "Tamil" for a direct one-word question to score full marks quickly.

Question 2. What is known as Sangam literature?
Answer: The term "Sangam" translates to "Assembly." Traditional accounts state that three different assemblies, or Sangams, of literary scholars took place in Madurai, which became a prime hub for creative works in the Tamil region. These gatherings are believed to have occurred from roughly the first century BC to the fifth century AD. A large group of poets, bards, and scholars assembled there and created a vast collection of Tamil poetry. These gathered writings were eventually compiled into volumes that are collectively referred to as Sangam literature.
In simple words: Sangam literature is a collection of ancient Tamil poems and writings created by wise poets during special gatherings in Madurai.

Exam Tip: Make sure to mention that these assemblies took place in Madurai and lasted from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD.

Question 3. Name any two literary sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age.
Answer: Two major literary works used to understand this era are:
1. "Tolkappiyam" - Authored by Tolkappiyar, who studied under Agastya, this is an essential book on grammar associated with the Second Sangam.
2. "Tirukurral" - Written by the famous poet Tiruvalluvar during the Third Sangam. These compositions offer crucial details about the lifestyle and culture of the ancient Tamil community.
In simple words: The books Tolkappiyam and Tirukurral are two important ancient writings that help us learn about the lives of early Tamil people.

Exam Tip: Remember that Tolkappiyam is a grammar book from the second assembly, while Tirukurral belongs to the third.

Question 4. Who were ‘Tirukurral’ ?
Answer: The author associated with this work is Tiruvalluvar.
In simple words: Tiruvalluvar is the legendary poet who wrote the famous book Tirukurral.

Exam Tip: The question asks "Who were 'Tirukurral'", but the proper answer is the author's name, Tiruvalluvar. Keep the name spelled correctly.

Question 5. Mention any two archaelogical sources to reconstruct history of the Sangam age.
Answer: Two key physical or archaeological remnants from this era include:
1. Large stone grave sites known as Megaliths.
2. Ancient stone carvings written in the Brahmi script.
In simple words: Large stone graves called megaliths and ancient writings on stone (inscriptions) are two physical clues that tell us about this old era.

Exam Tip: Archaeological sources must be physical items like ruins, graves, or inscriptions, rather than books or poems.

Question 6. Why are graves of people in the megalithic phase in South India’s history called ‘Megalithis’?
Answer: The culture associated with this period is identified primarily by its burial sites. Inhabitants of the undeveloped upland regions of the peninsula buried their dead in graves surrounded by large stone blocks, which led to these sites being called megaliths.
In simple words: These graves are called megaliths because they were built by placing giant stones in a circle around the burial spot.

Exam Tip: The word "Megalith" literally means "large stone" - connecting this definition directly to the graves gets you full marks.

Question 7. How do Megaliths suggest that people of Southern India in those times had become familiar with iron?
Answer: Apart from human remains, these ancient stone graves contain a variety of iron implements, including sickles, arrowheads, and spearheads, along with pottery and traces of grains like rice. Finding these iron-made agricultural and defensive tools points to a clear technological shift from the older Copper and Bronze ages to the Iron Age.
In simple words: The discovery of iron arrowheads, spears, and farming tools inside these stone graves shows us that the people had learned how to use iron.

Exam Tip: To prove they knew about iron, list specific metal items found in the graves, such as sickles or arrowheads.

Question 8. Why did Arundhati, a character in Sanskrit literature, become a model for South Indian Women in the Sangam age?
Answer: Arundhati served as an exemplary figure for women of the southern region because she represented the ultimate standard of devotion and chastity.
In simple words: Arundhati was seen as a perfect role model because she stood for loyalty and purity in marriage.

Exam Tip: The key keyword the examiner looks for here is "chastity" or "devotion to husband."

Question 9. Name the two agricultural products during the Sangam Age.
Answer: Two prominent crops cultivated in this era were jackfruit and black pepper (along with turmeric).
In simple words: Jackfruit, black pepper, and turmeric were some of the main crops grown during this ancient time.

Exam Tip: Even though the question asks for two, listing three (jackfruit, pepper, and turmeric) ensures you do not lose any marks.

Question 10. Name the two prominent ports on India’s Western Coast during the Sangam age.
Answer: Two of the most important trading ports situated along the western coastline were Naura (modern-day Cannanore) and Nelcynda (modern-day Kottayam).
In simple words: Naura and Nelcynda were two very busy ports on the western side of India where ships came to trade.

Exam Tip: Try to memorize the modern names in brackets (Cannanore and Kottayam) to write a more complete answer.

Question 11. Name the two deities worshiped by people in the Sangam age.
Answer: The local population primarily offered prayers to deities like Murugan and Vishnu.
In simple words: People in those days mainly prayed to the gods Murugan and Vishnu.

Exam Tip: Murugan is especially important as he was the most popular local deity of the Tamil region during this period.

Question 12. Name the two items of trade referred to in the Tamil literature of the Sangam age.
Answer: Ancient Tamil texts highlight several trading commodities, including exotic spices, fragrant sandalwood, ocean pearls, and diverse fabrics.
In simple words: Spices, sandalwood, and fine fabrics were some of the key things that merchants traded in these ancient kingdoms.

Exam Tip: Spices and textiles are easy to remember and highly accurate for any ancient Indian trade question.

Question 13. Mention the two views held by scholars regarding the origin of the Dravidians.
Answer: Historians propose two main theories about where Dravidian people came from:
1. Some suggest they were of foreign origin, possibly arriving from the Mediterranean region through northwestern mountain passes to settle in India around the start of the New Stone Age.
2. Others argue that they were indigenous people who originated within the Indian subcontinent itself.
In simple words: Some experts think Dravidians came from the Mediterranean region long ago, while others believe they have always lived in India.

Exam Tip: Clearly present both sides - the "migrant theory" and the "indigenous theory" - to show a complete understanding.

Question 14. Name any ftw.famouse epics of Tamil literature.
Answer: Two highly celebrated epic poems from this period are "Silappadikaram" and "Manimekalai."
In simple words: Silappadikaram and Manimekalai are the two most famous story-poems from ancient Tamil history.

Exam Tip: Memorize the spellings of these two epics carefully, as they are frequently asked in exams.

Question 15. How does the inscripition of Kharvela, the ruler of Kalinga, enable us to reconstruct history of the Sangam age?
Answer: The rock edict of King Kharavela of Kalinga mentions his victory over a unified alliance of Tamil kingdoms (known as the "Tramirdesh Sanghatam"). Additionally, this record notes that he acquired massive amounts of pearls from the Pandya realm, along with valuable items like elephants, horses, and precious gemstones, which highlights the political and economic strength of the southern kingdoms.
In simple words: An old stone carving by King Kharavela tells us that he defeated a group of Tamil kingdoms and took back valuable pearls and treasures.

Exam Tip: Mentioning the specific term "Confederacy of Tamil states" shows the examiner you have read the primary sources.

Question 16. Hero-stone reminds us of an important event. What is the event?
Answer: A hero-stone was set up to mark the spot where a courageous soldier fell in battle. Since dying on the battlefield was considered a direct path to the heavens, these fallen soldiers were revered as martyrs. These memorial markers served to inspire bravery in both the general public and the fighting forces.
In simple words: Hero-stones were se