Samacheer Kalvi 9th Social Science History Solutions Chapter 3 Early Tamil Society and Culture

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Tamilnadu Samacheer Kalvi 9th Social Science History Solutions Chapter 3 Early Tamil Society and Culture

Early Tamil Society and Culture Textual Exercise

I. Choose the correct answer.

Question 1.
The name of the script used in the Sangam Age ………….
(a) English
(b) Devanagari
(c) Tamil-Brahmi
(d) Granta
Answer:
(c) Tamil-Brahmi

Question 2.
The Sri Lankan chronicle composed in the Pali language mentioning about merchants and horse traders from Tamil Nadu
(a) Deepa vamsa
(b) Arthasastra
(c) Mahavamsa
(d) Indica
Answer:
(c) Mahavamsa

Question 3.
The notable Chola king credited with bringing forest lands under the plough and developing irrigational facilities.
(a) Karikalan
(b) Rajarajari I
(c) Kulothungan
(d) Rajendran I
Answer:
(a) Karikalan

Question 4.
Inscription that mentions the Cheras …………..
(a) Pugalur
(b) Gimar
(c) Pulimankombai
(d) Madurai
Answer:
(a) Pugalur

Samacheer Kalvi 9th Social Science History Solutions Chapter 3 Early Tamil Society and Culture

Question 5.
The famous Venetian traveller described Kayal as a great and noble city.
(a) Vasco da Gama
(b) Alberuni
(c) Marco Polo
(d) Megasthenes
Answer:
(c) Marco Polo

Question 6.
(i) Coins as a medium of exchange were introduced for the first time in the Sangam Age.
(ii) Prakrit was the language used by the common people in Northern India during the Mauryan period.
(iii) Vienna Papyrus, a Roman document, mentions trade related to Muziri.
(iv) The concept of Thinai is presented in the Tamil grammar work of Pathupaattu.
(a) (i) is correct
(b) (ii) is correct
(c) (i) and (ii) is correct
(d) (iii) and (iv) is correct
Answer:
(i) is correct
(ii) is correct
(iii) is correct
(iv) incorrect

Question 7.
(i) Pathitrupathu speaks about the Pandya kings and their territory.
(ii) The Akanaanuru describes the trading activities at Kaveripoompattinum.
(iii) The Chola Emblem was the tiger and they issued square copper coins with images of a tiger.
(iv) Neythal is a sandy desert region.
(a) (i) is correct
(b) (ii) and (iii) is correct
(c) (iii) is correct
(d) (iv) is correct
Answer:
(i) incorrect
(ii) incorrect
(iii) is correct
(iv) incorrect

II. Fill in the blanks.

1. ……………. are documents scripted on stones, copper plates, coins, and rings.
2. ………….. refers to systematically digging a site to recover material evidence for exploring societies of the past.
3. ……………. the classic work on economy and statecraft authored by Kautilya during the Mauryan period.
4. …………… is a poetic theme which means a class or category and refers to habitat or ecozone with specific physiographical characteristics.
5. …………. referred to the Westerners, including the Greeks, Romans, and West Asian people.
Answers:
1. Epigraphy
2. Archeological excavations
3. Arthasastra
4. Sangam poems
5. Yavanar

III. Find out the correct statement.

Question 1.
(a) Evidence of iron smelting has been found in Kodumanal and Guttur.
(b) Periplus of Erythren Sea mentions the pepper trade with India.
(c) Punch marked coins are the earliest coins used in India mostly made of gold.
(d) The Sangam Age has its roots in the Bronze Age.
Answer:
(a) correct
(b) incorrect
(c) correct
(d) incorrect

Question 2.
(a) The Cheras ruled over the Kaveri delta and their capital was Uraiyur.
(b) The Maangulam Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions mention the King Karikalan.
(c) The terms Vanikan and Nigama appear in Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions were different types of merchants.
(d) Salt merchants were called Vanikars and they travelled in bullock carts along with their family.
Answer:
(a) incorrect
(b) incorrect
(c) correct
(d) incorrect

IV. Match the following.

Samacheer Kalvi 9th Social Science History Solutions Chapter 3 Early Tamil Society and Culture 1
Answer:
1. (d)
2. (a)
3. (e)
4. (c)
5. (b)

V. Answer the following questions briefly.

Question 1.
Archaeological sites provide evidence of past history – Discuss.
Answer:

  1. Archaeology is the study of the past by interpretation of the material cultural remains.
  2. Such remains are unearthered by the Systematic excavation of old inhabitation sites called archaeological sites.
  3. Archaeological sites have mounds which are an accumulation of soil, pottery, building, and organic remains and objects.
  4. In many parts of Tamil Nadu, they are called Nattam, Kottai, and Medu.
  5. Such sites provide evidence of how people lived in the past.

Question 2.
How important coin as a source of evidence for the study of the Sangam Age?
Answer:

  • Coins as a medium of exchange were introduced for the first time in the Sangam Age.
  • The coins of the Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas, punch-marked coins, and Roman coins form another important source of evidence from the Sangam Age.
  • They were used as bullion for their metal value and as ornaments.

Question 3.
The Tamil rulers were independent of Mauryan authority. What explanation would you offer?
Answer:

  1. The Tamil rulers were independent of Mauryan authority because Ashokan inscriptions found in present-day Odisha, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh are not seen in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
  2. So we can conclude the status of Tamil rulers.

Question 4.
Agriculture was one of the main sources of subsistence in the Sangam Age. Give reasons.
Answer:

  1. Agriculture was one of the main sources of subsistence.
  2. Crops like paddy, sugarcane, millets were cultivated.
  3. Both wet and dryland farming was practiced.
  4. Varieties of rice such as Sennel, Vennel, aivananel (a type of rice) are mentioned in the literature.
  5. People in the forest adopted Punam or shifting cultivation.

Samacheer Kalvi 9th Social Science History Solutions Chapter 3 Early Tamil Society and Culture

Question 5.
Overseas interactions brought glory to ancient Tamilagam. Give examples in support.
Answer:

  • Tamil country had connections with countries overseas both in the east and west.
  • Roman ships used monsoon winds to cross the Western Sea or the Arabian Sea to connect Tamilagam with the Western world.
  • Spices including pepper, ivory, and precious stones were exported. Metal including gold, silver and copper, and precious stones were imported.
  • Yavanar referred to the Westerners, including the Greeks, Romans, and West Asian people. Yavana derives from the Greek region of Ionia.

VI. Answer all the questions given under each caption.

Question 1.
Hero Stones:
(a) What was the common practice in a pastoral society?
Answer:
As cattle were considered an important source of wealth, raiding cattle owned by adjoining tribes and clans was common practice in a pastoral society.

(b) Who plundered the cattle wealth of enemies?
Answer:
Tribal chieftains plundered the cattle wealth of enemies whose warriors fought to protect their cattle.

(c) How were the dead warriors remembered?
Answer:

  1. Many warriors died in such battles and were remembered as martyrs.
  2. Memorial stones were erected in their honour.

(d) Which Tamil text describes the procedures for erecting hero stones?
Answer:
Tholkappiyam describes the procedures for erecting hero stones.

Question 2.
Non-Tamil Sources (Foreign Accounts):
(a) What does the presence of the non-Tamil sources reveal?
Answer:
(a) The presence of the non-Tamil sources reveals the extensive contacts and interactions of the early Tamil society with the outside world.

(b) Name the classic work of the Mauryan period that makes a mention that the pearl and shells came from Pandya country.
Answer:
Arthasastra the classic work of the Mauryan period makes mentions that the pearl and shells came from the Pandya country.

(c) What is a chronicle?
Answer:
Chronicle is a narrative text presenting the important historical events in chronological order.

(d) Who speaks about the pepper trade between the Roman empire and India?
Answer:
Pliny the Elder, a Roman, speaks about the pepper trade with India by the Romans.

Question 3.
Industries and Crafts of the Sangam Age:
(a) What were the important aspects of urbanisation?
Answer:
Craft production and craft specialization were important aspects of urbanisation.

(b) What is the Tamil name for a potter?
Answer:
“Kuyavar” is the Tamil name for potter.

(c) What were the different types of pottery used by the peopla?
Answer:
Blackware, russet-coated painted ware, black, and red ware potteries were the different types of pottery used.

(d) Identify the Iron implements required for agriculture and warfare.
Answer:
Swords, daggers and spears were the iron implements required for agriculture and warfare.

VII. Answer the following in detail.

Question 1.
To what extent do you think the political powers of Tamilagam influenced Sangam Age polity?
Answer:

  • Sangam Age has its roots in the Iron Age.
  • In the Iron Age people were organised into chiefdoms.
  • From such communities of Iron-Age emerged the Vendhars of the early historic period and the Velirs of the Sangam Age were chieftains.
  • Tamil rulers were independent of the Mauryan authority.
  • Among the political powers of the Sangam Age, the Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas occupied pre-eminent positions. They were known as Muvendhar (the three kings).
  • The Muvendhar controlled the major towns and ports of the Sangam period.
  • The Cheras controlled the region of present-day Kerala and also the Western parts of Tamil Nadu.
  • Vanci was the capital, Muciri and Thondi were their Port towns.
  • The Cholas ruled over the Kaveri delta and the Northern parts of Tamil Nadu. Uraiyur was their capital, Kaveripoompattinam was the Port town.
  • The Pandyas who ruled the Southern part of Tamil Nadu are referred to as the Ashokan inscriptions.
    Madurai was the capital.
  • Apart from the Vendhars, there were Velirs and numerous chieftains who occupied territories on the margins of the muvendhar.
  • The Sangam Age society was a society in transition from a tribal community ruled by a chief to a larger kingdom ruled by a king.
    Social stratification had begun to take root in Tamil society by the Sangam times.
    Thus the political powers of Tamilagam influenced Sangam society.

Question 2.
Indicate how the industries and crafts of the Sangam Age contribute to their economy.
Answer:

  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 agriculture and 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. Southeast Asia was known as Suvama Bhoomi in Tamil literature.
  15. The economy of the Sangam Age was mixed as elaborated in the Thinai concept.
  16. People practiced agriculture, pastoralism, trade and money exchange, hunting and gathering, and fishing depending upon the ecozones in which they lived.

Student Activities

Question 1.
Mark on the map of south India, the ancient Tamilagam and the territories of Tamil kingdoms.
Answer:
You can take guidance from your teacher and reference from the internet to mark the ancient Tamilagam and the territories of Tamil Kingdoms on the map of South India.

Question 2.
Visit a museum and collect information about inscriptions, coins and instruments used by the ancient people.
Answer:
The teacher can arrange a visit to the museum for the students. The students can collect information about inscriptions, coins, and instruments used by the ancient people.

Question 3.
Visit the early historic sites of Arikkamedu, Kaveripoompattinam, Keezhadi etc.
Answer:
The teacher can arrange a visit to the early historic sites of Arikkamedu, Kaveripoompattinam, Keezhadi, etc.

Samacheer Kalvi 9th Social Science History Solutions Chapter 3 Early Tamil Society and Culture

Question 4.
Conduct a study on materials excavated from prehistoric sites and on Tamil-Brahmi script.
Answer:
You can do this activity with the help of your teacher.
Assignment with teacher’s guidance
1. A power-point presentation on the origin of human life.
Refer to the Books, Internet to collect the points.

Early Tamil Society and Culture Additional Questions

I. Choose the correct answer.

Question 1.
The earliest written work on Tamil Grammar is ………………..
(a) Thirukural
(b) Tholkappiam
(c) Pathinen Melkanakku
(d) Pathinen Kilkanakku
Answer:
(b) Tholkappiam

Question 2.
This is an Epic …………..
(a) Silappathikaaram
(b) Pattinapallai
(c) Mullai pathu
(d) Madurai Kanchi
Answer:
(a) Silappathikaaram

Question 3.
During the Sangam Age …………… landscape followed the pastoral way of life.
(a) Marutham
(b) Neithal
(c) Mullai
(d) Palai
Answer:
(c) Mullai

Question 4.
……………… is an ornament made in precious stone where images are carved on the surface.
(a) Cameo
(b) Intagliol
(c) Chronicle
(d) Papyrus
Answer:
(a) Cameo

Question 5.
The roots of the Sangam Age is in ……………
(a) Bronze Age
(b) Mesolithic Age
(c) Iron Age
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(c) Iron Age

Question 6.
(i) Bullion means precious metal available in the form of ingots, (correct)
(ii) Punch-marked coins are the earliest coins used in India, (correct)
(iii) Non-Tamil literary sources also offer information on early Tamil society, (correct)
(iv) Millets were cultivated in the wetlands, (incorrect)
(a) (i) is correct
(b) (i) & (ii) are correct
(c) (i), (ii) & (iii) are correct
(d) (iv) is correct
Answer:
(c) (i), (ii) & (iii) are correct

Question 7.
(i) Barter was the primary mode of exchange.
(ii) Spices including pepper and precious stones were exported.
(iii) The Sangam Age saw the first urbanization in Tamilagam.
(iv) People in the Sangam Age had no faith in religion.
(a) (i) is correct
(b) (i) is correct (ii) incorrect
(c) (i) is correct (iv) incorrect
(d) (i), (ii), (iii) correct (iv) incorrect
Answer:
(d) (i), (ii), (iii) correct (iv) incorrect

II. Fill in the blanks.

  1. ………….. collection includes ten long songs.
  2. Act of destruction of heritage property (or) property belonging to others are called ……………..
  3. …………… is the study of the past by interpretation of the material cultural remains.
  4. …………. Geography is a gazetteer and atlas of Roman times.
  5. ………… table is an illustrated map of the Roman Roads.
  6. A paper produced out of the papyrus plant used extensively for writing purposes in ancient …………..
  7. The Silappathikaram speaks about ………………. who built a temple for Kannagi.
  8. ………….. is a long poem about Kaveripoompattinam.
  9. The Pamban coast is famous for ……………..
  10. Spices including …………., …………. and ………. were exported.

Answers:

  1. Pathupattu
  2. Vandalism
  3. Archaeology
  4. Ptolemy’s
  5. Pentingerian
  6. Egypt
  7. Gheran Senguttuvan
  8. Pattinappalai
  9. Pearl fishery
  10. Pepper, Ivory, Precious stones

III. Match the following.

Samacheer Kalvi 9th Social Science History Solutions Chapter 3 Early Tamil Society and Culture 2
Answer:
1. (c)
2. (e)
3. (a)
4. (b)
5. (d)

IV. Answer the following questions briefly.

Question 1.
Discuss Tamil Traders and Sailors.
Answer:
As seafaring people, Tamil traders and sailors established commercial and cultural links across the seas, and merchants from foreign territories also visited the Tamil region.

Question 2.
What does the third section of the Tholkappiyam describe?
Answer:
The third section of Tholkappiyam describes poetic conventions that provide information on Tamil social life.

Question 3.
What does the development of Script mark?
Answer:

  1. The development of the script marks the beginning of the historical period.
  2. The period before the use of a written script is called the prehistoric period.

Samacheer Kalvi 9th Social Science History Solutions Chapter 3 Early Tamil Society and Culture

Question 4.
What do you know about the Hero stones of the Post-Sangam Age?
Answer:

  1. Hero stones of the Post-Sangam Age and the Pallava period occur in large numbers in pastoral regions especially around the Chengam region near Thiruvannamalai district.
  2. These hero stones have inscriptions and images of warriors and names of heroes.

Question 5.
What does the Erythrean sea refer to?
Answer:

  1. Erythrean sea refers to the waters around the red sea.
  2. It makes references to the Sangam Age, Ports of Muciri, Thondi, Korkai, and Kumari as well as the Gheras and the Pandyas.

Question 6.
What is Ptolemy’s Geography?
Answer:
Ptolemy’s Geography is a Gazetteer and atlas of Roman times providing geographical details of the Roman Empire in the Second Century CE.

Question 7.
What do you know about Muvendhar?
Answer:
Among the political powers of the Sangam Age, the Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas occupied pre-eminent positions. They were known as Muvendhar (the three kings). The muvendhar controlled the major towns and ports of the Sangam period.

Question 8.
What is an Urban centre?
Answer:
A planned town with brick architecture and a proper layout. Urban centres have a larger population involved in non-agrarian, commercial and political occupations. Various industrial activities are seen in these towns.

V. Answer all the questions given under each caption.
Question 1.
Tholkappiam.
(i) What is the earliest written work on Tamil grammar?
Answer:
Tholkappiyam.

(ii) To whom did it attribute?
Answer:
Tholkappiyam attributed to Tholkappiyar.

(iii) What does the third section of Tholkappiam describe?
Answer:
The third section describes the poetic conventions that provide information on Tamil social life.

(iv) Mention the oldest among the Tamil Texts.
Answer:
Pathupattu and Ettuthogai.

Question 2.
Pearl fishery and shell bangle.
(i) Which place is famous for pearl fishery?
Answer:
The Parpban coast is famous for pearl fishery.

(ii) What was very common in the Sangam Age?
Answer:
Shell bangles were very common in the Sangam Age.

(iii) Who collected conch shells from Pamban Island?
Answer:
The Parathavers collected conch shells from Pamban Island.

(iv) What does Sangam literature describe?
Answer:
Sangam literature describes women wearing shell bangles.

VI. Answer the following in detail.

Question 1.
Write a note on Tamil Brahmi inscriptions.
Answer:

  1. Inscriptions are documents scripted on stone, copper plates, and other media such as coins, rings etc.
  2. Tamil Brahmi was the first script used for writing in Tamil Nadu.
  3. Inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi are found in caves and rock shelters and on pottery and other objects like coins, rings, seals etc.
  4. Tamil Brahmi inscriptions have been found in more than 30 sites in Tamil Nadu, mostly on cave surfaces and rock shelters.
  5. These caves were the abodes of Jain monks.
  6. The natural caves were converted into a residence by cutting a drip-line to keep rainwater away from the cave.
  7. Inscriptions often occur below such driplines.
  8. The sites have smooth stone beds carved on rock surfaces for monks.
  9. Maangulam, Muttupatti, Pugalur, Arachalur and Kongarpuliyankulam, and Jambai are some of the major sites of such caves with Tamil Brahmi inscriptions.
  10. Around Madurai, many such caves with the Tamil Brahmi inscriptions can be still seen. Many of them are located along ancient trade routes.

Samacheer Kalvi 9th Social Science History Solutions Chapter 3 Early Tamil Society and Culture

Question 2.
Give an account of “Emergence of towns and ports”.
Answer:

  1. The Sangam Age saw the first urbanization in Tamilagam.
  2. Cities developed and they had brick buildings, roof tiles, ring wells and planned towns, streets, and storehouses.
  3. The towns worked as ports and artisanal centres. Arikkamedu, Kaveripoompattinam, Azhagankulam and Korkai on the east coast and Pattanam in Kerala were port centres.
  4. Kanchipuram, Uraiyur, Karur, Madurai, and Kodumanal were inland traded centres.
  5. Many goods and commodities were produced in these centres and were exported to various regions.
  6. Though few in number, large towns appeared in the Sangam Age.
  7. Small villages however were found in many areas. Bronze vessels, beads, shell bangles, glass beads, pottery with names of people written in Tamil-Brahmi script were found at these sites.

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