TNPSC Group 1 · History – Ancient India – Sangam Age: Literature, Three Sangams, Political History of Tamil Kingdoms
Sangam Age Literature and Polity – TNPSC Group 1 MCQ Practice Set
Question 1
Which of the following correctly pairs the Three Sangams (Muthal, Idai, Kadai Sangam) with their respective seats?
Answer: C
According to Tamil tradition, the First Sangam (Muthal Sangam) was held at Thenmadurai (submerged by sea), the Second Sangam (Idai Sangam) at Kapatapuram (also submerged), and the Third Sangam (Kadai Sangam) at Madurai, which survives to this day.
Exam Trick
Remember T-K-M: Thenmadurai → Kapatapuram → Madurai. The sea swallowed the first two seats, only Madurai survives — think ‘Third time lucky for Madurai.’
Question 2
Tolkappiyam, the earliest extant Tamil grammar work, was composed by Tolkappiyar and presented to the Third Sangam. Who presided over the Third Tamil Sangam as per literary tradition?
Answer: A
Nakkirar is traditionally credited as the president (தலைவர்) of the Third Tamil Sangam held at Madurai. He is also famous for his debate with Shiva over a verse in the Thirumurugatrupadai. Agastya presided over the First Sangam.
Exam Trick
‘N for Nakkirar, N for Number Three’ — Nakkirar = Third Sangam president. Agastya = First Sangam president.
Question 3
The Sangam work ‘Purananuru’ primarily deals with which of the following themes?
Answer: B
Purananuru (400 poems) is a Puram (exterior) anthology belonging to the Eight Anthologies (Ettuthokai). Puram poetry deals with public themes — heroism, war, philanthropy, death, and eulogy of kings and warriors. Akam poetry deals with love and uses the five tinai landscape symbolism.
Exam Trick
‘Puram = Public/Proud deeds’ — war and kings. ‘Akam = Interior/Intimate’ — love poetry. Pura-nanuru = 400 Puram poems.
Question 4
Which Chera king is celebrated in Sangam literature for feeding both armies (Pandya and Chola) impartially during the battle of Kurukshetra, earning the title ‘Udiyanjeral’?
Answer: C
Udiyanjeral (Udiyan Cheraladam) is praised in Purananuru for the legendary act of providing food to both warring sides at Kurukshetra. This links Sangam Cheras to Mahabharata tradition. He is considered the progenitor of the Chera dynasty in Sangam lore.
Exam Trick
‘Udiyan’ sounds like ‘Undiya’ (fed/provided) — he who FED both armies. His name itself is the clue to his fame.
Question 5
Silappathikaram, one of the Five Great Tamil Epics, was authored by Ilanko Adigal. Which of the following statements about this work is INCORRECT?
Answer: B
Ilanko Adigal is traditionally believed to be a Chera prince who became a Buddhist monk (not Jain). He is said to be the brother of Chera king Senguttuvan. The epic Silappathikaram itself describes Senguttuvan’s campaign to bring a stone from the Himalayas to carve Kannagi’s idol. The other statements are correct.
Exam Trick
Remember: Silapathikaram = Buddhist connection (Ilanko = Buddhist monk, Madhavi = Buddhist nun later). Manimegalai (its companion epic) is explicitly Buddhist. Don’t confuse with Jainism — that is associated with Civaka Cintamani.
