1. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS DURING THE SANGAM AGE .

2. Agriculture The chief occupation of the people was agriculture .
Paddy was the main crop .
Rice was the common crop and ragi , sugar cane , cotton , pepper , ginger , turmeric and a variety of fruits were the other crops , Jack Fruits and Pepper were famous in the Chera country .
Millet , grams and sugarcane were also cultivated .
Irrigation through Rivers , Tanks and Wells were used for cultivation .

3. Industries
Weaving and spinning were the most important crafts of the Sangam period .
Uraiyur and Madurai were the main centres for the manufacture of Cotton fabrics .
The weavers produced and exported fine cotton clothes .
The handicrafts of the Sangam period were popular , weaving , Metal works and Carpentry , Ship building and making of ornaments using beads , stones and ivory .
The word Kalingam refers to very nice garments .
The Sangam literature refers to clothes , which were thinner than steam .
Silk clothes were also produced in the Tamil country .
Other Craftsmen like the Carpenter , Blacksmith , Goldsmith and Potter had practised their respective occupations.

4. Fishing and hunting had remained as an important occupation during the Sangam period .
There was a great demand for these products , as the internal and external trade was at its peak during the Sangam period .
There was a great demand in the western world for the cotton clothes woven at Uraiyur .
Trade and Commerce .
Both internal and external trade was well organised during the Sangam Age .
The Sangam Literature , Greek and Roman accounts and the Archaeological evidences provide detailed information on this subject.
In the beginning of the Sangam Age the Barter system of trade was followed .
The people of Kurinji region exchanged honey with the people of Neydal region for getting fish and Salt .
The Mullai people gave their milk products to Marudham people to get rice from them .
Later , when they began to use Coins , trade picked up rapidly .

5. External trade was carried between South India and the Greek Kingdoms
Local markets came up and they were known as Angadis .
Both Day Market ( Nalangadi )and Evening Bazar ( Allangadi ) existed in port towns .
The Pattinappalai refers to their existence at Puhar , Goods from distant places were brought to these markets .
Merchants carried the goods on the Carts and on animal – back from place to place .
Internal trade was mostly based on the Barter system .
External trade was carried between South India and the Greek Kingdoms
The port city of Puhar became an emporium of foreign trade , as big ships entered this port with precious goods .
Other ports of commercial activity include Tondi , Musiri , Korkai , Arikkamedu and Marakkanam .

6. Plenty of Gold coins issued by the Roman Emperors like Augustus , Tiberius and Nero were in all parts of Tamil Nadu
They reveal the extent of the trade and the presence of Roman traders in the Tamil country .
The main exports of the Sangam age were Cotton fabrics , Spices like Pepper , Ginger , Cardamom , Cinnamon and turmeric , Ivory products , Pearls and Precious stones .
Gold , Horses and Sweet wine were the chief imports .
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