Sangam period is the period in the history of ancient southern India (known as the Tamilakam) spanning from c. 3rd century BC to c. 4th century AD. It is named after the famous Sangam academies of poets and scholars centered in the city of Madurai.
The Sangam Age constitutes an important chapter in the history of South India. According to Tamil legends, there existed three Sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) in ancient Tamil Nadu popularly called Muchchangam.
These Sangams flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandyas.
The first Sangam, held at Then Madurai.
The second Sangam was held at Kapadapuram but the all the literary works had perished except Tolkappiyam.
The third Sangam at Madurai was founded by Mudathirumaran. It was attended by a large number of poets who produced voluminous literature but only a few had survived. These Tamil literary works remain useful sources to reconstruct the history of the Sangam Age.
The Tamil country was ruled by three dynasties namely the Chera, Chola and Pandyas during the Sangam Age.
The military administration was also efficiently organized during the Sangam Age.
Both internal and foreign trade was well organized and briskly carried on in the Sangam Age
