Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?
Contents9
- AKings employing women bodyguards
- BLearned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
- CYoung girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals
- DA king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
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Answer: (D) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
Vattakirutal was a Sangam-era practice where a defeated king would commit ritual suicide by starving himself to death, along with his close companions.
This reflects the warrior ethic in Sangam poetry where heroic death was greatly valued.
Answer is (d).
Vattakirutal was a ritual suicide practice where defeated Sangam kings would starve themselves to death rather than live with the dishonor of defeat.
The practice reflects the intense warrior code of honor in early South Indian kingdoms, where heroic death was preferred over shameful survival.
UPSC tests specific Sangam practices to check if students have studied the cultural details of early Tamil literature, not just political history.
Vattakirutal: Sangam Ritual Suicide
Ancient And Medieval History Vattakirutal Sangam poems
Vattakirutal: The Sangam Practice of Ritual Death
Vattakirutal = ritual suicide by starving to death after military defeat
Practiced by defeated kings along with close companions in Sangam period
Reflects warrior ethic where heroic death was valued over dishonor
Mentioned in Sangam poetry as part of Tamil cultural traditions
Vattakirutal was a ritualized form of suicide practiced during the Sangam Age (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE) by Tamil kings who faced military defeat. Rather than live with the dishonor of defeat, kings would fast unto death, often accompanied by their loyal retainers.
Key Features
Method: Death by voluntary starvation, not by weapons or poison
Participants: Defeated king along with his close companions and retainers
Context: Triggered by military defeat or loss of kingdom
Purpose: To preserve honor and avoid the shame of subjugation
Literary source: Documented in Sangam poetry and literature
Warrior Ethics Context
This practice reflects the heroic ideal central to Sangam culture, where death in battle or honorable suicide was preferable to a life of defeat. The Sangam poems celebrate such acts as expressions of ultimate loyalty and courage.
Trap: Option A confuses with women bodyguards - this was a different practice entirely
Trap: Option B sounds like court assemblies but Vattakirutal was about ritual death
Trap: Option C mentions agricultural practices - completely unrelated to this royal ritual
Key distinction: Vattakirutal specifically involved starvation, not other forms of suicide
Sangam Age: Period & Characteristics
Ancient And Medieval History Sangam poems Sangam
Sangam Age: Tamil Civilization & Literature (3rd BCE - 3rd CE)
Sangam Age: 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE in Tamil region
Named after Sangam (literary academies) that produced Tamil poetry
Three kingdoms: Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas dominated the region
Rich literary tradition documenting society, warfare, and cultural practices
The Sangam Age represents the earliest documented period of Tamil civilization, known primarily through its extensive body of poetry. These poems provide detailed insights into the political, social, and cultural life of ancient Tamil society.
Three Sangam Kingdoms
Kingdom | Capital | Region | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
Cheras | Vanji | Kerala & Western Tamil Nadu | Bow |
Cholas | Uraiyur | Kaveri Delta region | Tiger |
Pandyas | Madurai | Southern Tamil Nadu | Fish |
Literary Sources
Ettuthokai (Eight Anthologies) - collection of poems on love and war
Pattupattu (Ten Idylls) - longer poems describing kings and battles
Tolkappiyam - earliest Tamil grammar work
Tirukkural by Thiruvalluvar - ethical and moral teachings
Period confusion: Sangam Age is 3rd BCE to 3rd CE, not Gupta period
Geographic mix-up: Primarily Tamil region, not entire South India
Literature type: Focus on secular poetry about war, love, and society
Sangam Society & Cultural Practices
Ancient And Medieval History
Social Practices & Cultural Life in Sangam Period
Warrior culture with emphasis on honor, bravery, and heroic death
Women's roles: Some served as bodyguards and warriors alongside domestic roles
Agricultural society with community involvement in crop protection
Royal courts were centers of learning and literary patronage
Sangam society was characterized by a strong warrior ethic where honor and courage were supreme values. Kings were expected to display bravery in battle, and defeat was considered a grave dishonor requiring extreme responses like Vattakirutal.
Social Customs
Hero stones (Nadukal) erected to commemorate fallen warriors
Sati practice mentioned in literature, though not widespread
Royal patronage of poets and scholars in court assemblies
Community festivals and religious celebrations documented in poems
Trade practices with references to merchants and foreign trade
Sangam Society Structure
# Sangam Society
## Political
- Kings & Chiefs
- Warrior Ethics
- Military Practices
- Royal Courts
## Economic
- Agriculture
- Trade
- Crafts
- Taxation
## Social
- Caste System
- Women's Roles
- Family Structure
- Customs
## Cultural
- Poetry
- Music
- Dance
- Religious PracticesRole confusion: Women did serve as bodyguards but this wasn't Vattakirutal
Agricultural practices: Young girls did guard fields but again, not Vattakirutal
Court assemblies: Scholars did gather in courts but Vattakirutal was ritual suicide