Sangam capitals and ports
Topic: Sangam Age and Early South India · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Each of the three "crowned kings" of the Sangam age had an inland capital and a main seaport. In Tamil these kings are called the Vendar. The capital was the seat of royal power. The port linked the kingdom to trade with the rest of India, Rome and West Asia. Knowing these pairs helps you answer matching questions on the Sangam kingdoms.
Example
- Cholas (emblem: tiger): capital Uraiyur, port Puhar (Kaveripattinam).
- Pandyas (emblem: fish): capital Madurai, port Korkai, famous for pearls.
- Cheras (emblem: bow): capital Vanji (present-day Karur), port Muziris, famous for pepper.
Don't confuse with
- Imperial Chola centres: Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram belong to the imperial Cholas, who rose many centuries later. They were not centres of the Sangam Cholas.