1. Which of the following best explains the meaning of “Tinai” in the context of Sangam literature?
2. Consider the following statements about Sangam literature and Tamil literary tradition: Statement 1: The term “Sangam” refers to the traditional assemblies of Tamil poets believed to have functioned under the patronage of the Pandya rulers. Statement 2: The Tolkappiyam, the oldest surviving Tamil grammatical work, is concerned exclusively with grammar and contains no discussion of literary conventions or social themes.
3. Match the following Sangam-era texts with their appropriate descriptions: List I A. Purananuru B. Akananuru C. Tirukkural D. Pattupattu List II 1. Collection of ten long poems dealing with landscapes, cities, people and various aspects of life 2. Collection of 400 poems dealing primarily with heroic and public themes 3. Didactic work composed in couplets dealing with virtue, wealth and love 4. Collection of 400 poems centred on love and the inner emotional world
4. Arrange the following developments in the correct chronological sequence: 1. Composition of Tolkappiyam 2. Reign of Karikala Chola, traditionally associated with the construction of the Kallanai 3. Development of the core Sangam literary corpus 4. Composition of Tirukkural
5. Assertion (A): The political structure of the Sangam period was characterised by the dominance of the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas, alongside numerous local chieftains known as Velirs. Reason (R): The Sangam economy was largely confined to subsistence agriculture and pastoralism, with negligible overseas commerce and no significant evidence of trade between Tamilakam and the Roman world.