Kids Learning Social Science

 

4th Standard Social Science Term-I

Five Landforms

  Learning Objectives  

✩ To know about different types of landforms in ancient Tamil Nadu.

✩ To know about the themes of classification of landforms.

✩ To understand the life style of people in different landforms of Tamil Nadu.

  Introduction  

✩ What is the name of your native place?

✩ In which district is your native place situated?

✩ What do you see around your house?

We see fields, houses, trees, stones and dry lands around our house.  We see more features like these on our Earth.

1. Where would you see more hills on the Earth?

Mountains

2. Where would you see wild animals with more trees?

Forest

3. Where does the paddy grow?

Agricultural land

4. Where would you see the Sea shore?

Sea, Beach

5. What is the name of useless lands?

Follow land

The places we see on the surface of the Earth is called landforms.

Now let us see how the land and was divided into different types in ancient Tamil Nadu according to its fertility and people's activities.

  Physical Features & Landforms of Tamil Nadu  

In the Solar family, Earth is the third planet.  It has oxygen and temperature to live.  Therefore we call the Earth as Biosphere.

The Earth is surrounded by three spheres such as land, water and air.

  Land  

  Landforms of Tamil Nadu  

✩ The five types of landforms in Sangam Age were divided on the basis of the work done by the people.

✩ Out of the five thinais, only four types were permanent.  They were Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham and Neithal.  The fifth land Palai was formed when Kurinji and Mullai dried up.

  I. Mountains (Kurinji Land)  

A mountain is a large geographical area that rises above the surrounding land with peaks.

The mountain and its surroundings are known as Kurinji land.

1. The Theme

The Theme (Karupporul) deals with the god, people, occupation, plant, flower, animal, bird and musical instrument.

God                 -   Murugan

People              -  Kuravar, Kurathiyar

Occupation        - Hunting, Gathering Roots and Honey

Plant / Flower    - Bamboo, Vengai / Kurinji flower

Animal / Bird   - Monkey, Deer / Peacock, Parrot

Musical Instrument   - Kurinji yazh

2. The People and their Occupations

✩ Poruppan    -    Soldier

✩ Verpan        -    Leader of the tribe, Weaponists

✩ Silamban    -    Master of martial arts (The arts of fighting).

✩ Kuravar      -    Hunter and the Gatherer.

✩ Kanavar     -    People of the mountainous forest.

3. The Soil of Kurinji Land

✩ The land of Kurinji was composed of red and black soils with stones and pebbles.

Miraculous Flower - Kurinji

The miraculous Kurinji plant grows well in the Western Ghats and the flower blooms once in twelve years between the months of July and September.  This flower has medicinal value.

  II. Forest (Mullai Land)  

A large area covered by trees is called forest.

The forest region is referred as Mullai land.  This region is also called 'Sembulam' due to the presence of red soil.

1. The Theme

God        - Thirumal

People    - Idaiyar, Idaichiyar, Aayar, Aaichiyar

Occupation - Cattle rearing, Gathering fruits, Sowing Millets

Plant / Flower     - Guava / Mullai flower

Animal / Bird    - Bear, Rabbit / Parrot

Musical Instrument -  Mullai  yazh

2. The People and their Occupations

✩ Idaiyar - Milk seller

✩ Aayar    - Cattle rearer

3. The Soil of Mullai land

✩ The land of Mullai has red soil with stones and pebbles.

Forests in Tamil Nadu

1. Mangrove forests        -    Pichavaram in Cuddalore district

2. Mountain forests        -    Nilgiris district

3. Reserve forests        -    Kanyakumari district

4. Shola forests            -    Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts

Pichavaram Forest

Pichavaram is a village near Chidambaram in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, which is the second biggest mangrove forest (Tidal forest) in India.  It comprises of small vegetation, aquatic animals etc. with moist temperature.

  III. Field (Marutham Land)  

The vast flat land on the Earth is called plain.  The crop fields and their surroundings were known as Marutham.  (The agricultural land and the area around it).

1. The Theme

God      - Indiran

People   - Uzhavar, Uzaththiyar

Occupation    - Forming

Plant / Flower   - Kanchi, Marutham / Lotus, Kuvalai

Animal / Bird   - Buffalo / Crane

Musical Instrument  - Marutha yazh

2. The People and their Occupations

✩ Uran         -    Small Landlord

✩ Uzhavan    -    Farm worker

✩ Kadaiyar    -    Merchant

3. The Soil of Marutham land

✩ The land of Marutham is formed of alluvial soil and red soil.

Amazing fact

Kallanai is an ancient dam which is built across the Cauvery river in Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu.  Its length is 1,080 ft, width 66 ft and height 18 ft.  It is the fourth oldest water diversion system for irrigation in the world.

  IV. Sea / Sea shore (Neithal Land)  

The salty water body that covers a large part of the surface of the Earth is called sea.

The Sea and the area around the sea is called 'Neithal'.

1. The Theme

God    - Varunan (Rain god)

People   - Parathavar (Fisher man)

Occupation  - Fishing

Plant / Flower  - Punnai / Senganthal

Animal / Bird   - Fish / Sea gull

Musical Instrument  - Vilari yazh

2. The People and their Occupations

✩ Serppan    -    Seafood vendor and trader.

✩ Pulamban    -    Who thrive on coconut.

✩ Parathavar    -    Sea warrior, Merchant.

✩ Nulaiyar    -    People who thrived on fish culture.

✩ Alavar    -    Salt cultivator.

3. The Soil of Neithal land

✩ The land of Neithal is made of saline soil.

Known Place, Unknown Fact

Marina beach is a natural urban beach in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.  It is the second longest beach in the world.  The beach is situated in the eastern side of India along Bay of Bengal.  The beach runs from Fort St.  George in the north to Foreshore Estate in the south, The total distance of beach is 13 km.  (The first longest beach is Miyami beach, which is situated at Florida, America.)

  V. Dry Land (Palai Land)  

A dry region with less or without rainfall is called a dry land.

The sandy land, which under-goes drought is called Palai.  When Kurinji and Mullai dries up, it is called Palai.

1. The Theme

God       - Kottravai (Mother Goddess)

People    - Eyinar, Eyitriar

Occupation  - Cattle lifting

Plant / Flower  - Uzhinghai, Palai / Cactus, Iluppai

Animal / Bird   - Tiger, Elephant / Eagle

Musical Instrument  - Palai yazh

2. The People and their Occupations

✩ Maravar        -    Noble warrior, Hunter.

✩ Eyinar        -    Warrior

3. The Soil of Palai land

✩ The land of Palai is sandy and saline.

1. With the help of your teacher visit a nearby mountainous region and collect the herbs and know their uses.

2. "Trees are our friends". Do you accept? Discuss with group.

Kids Learning Social Science

 

4th Standard Social Science Term-I

Kingdoms of Rivers

  Learning Objectives  

✩ To know about Tamil Kingdoms of Sangam Age.

✩ To know about Chera, Chola and Pandyas.

✩ To understand the administrative, economic and social conditions during Sangam period.

✩ To know about Kurunila Mannargal.

"The owner of a Scepter without bent is the Chera king!

The wealth of Rice bowl of Thanjavur is the Chola King!

The Pearl of breath taking Muthamizh is the Pandya King!

The Chariot of cave temples is the Pallava King!

You are the gold of Tamil Nadu and Lions of Tamil Soil."

  Introduction  

In the ancient period, people settled and started living along the river banks.

They produced agricultural crops.  They reared cattle in the pasture lands.  In this way the kingdoms of early Chera, Chola, Pandya and other kingdoms emerged along the rivers.

Kingdoms        River Banks

Cheras        -    Poigai

Cholas        -    Cauvery

Pandyas      -    Vaigai

Pallavas      -    Palar

  Cheras  

Cheras were the forerunners of the 'Moovendhargal' who ruled on the banks of river Poigai and their capital city was Vanji.

The Chera country comprised of the present western districts of Erode, Karur, Tirupur, Coimbatore and Nilgiris.  Kerala as also a part of it.  The Chera country was called Cheranadu.

The major part of the Cheranadu was surrounded by high mountains.  The greatest rulers among the kings of Cheranadu were Imayavaramban Neduncheralathan and his son Senguttuvan.

The Chera King, Neduncheralathan conquered upto the Himalayas and hoisted the flog with the symbol of Bow and Arrow.  Therefore he was hailed with the title "Imayavaramban Neduncheralathan".

The able ruler Cheran Senguttuvan, the son of Neduncheralathan erected the statue of Kannagi.  This temple of Kannagi was built by the stones brought from the Himalayas after defeating king Kanaka Vijaya.  It is also said that these stones were brought to Cheranadu on the heads of the captive soldiers

This can be understood from the epic Silappathikaram written by Senguttuvan's brother Ilangovadigal.  "Pathitrupathu" helps to know about the Chera kings during Sangam period.

Cheras :

1. River    -    Poigai    

2. Capital -    Vanji

3. Pot         -    Thondi, Musiri

4. Symbol   -    Bow and Arrow

  Cholas  

The early Cholas kept Uraiyur as their capital located along the river Cauvery and ruled it.  Uruthirangkannanar of Kadiyalur in his Pattinappalai describes that Cholanadu is famous for rice (Cholanadu Sorudaithu).

The Chola kingdom comprised the districts of Trichirapalli, Tanjavur, Pudukkottai, Nagapattinam.  Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Cuddalore.

The land of Cholas was fertile due to the river Cauvery.  The kings ruled by providing justice to their subjects.  The greatest ruler among the Cholas was Karikala Cholan who was also called 'Karikala Peruvalathan'.

Karikala Cholan took the responsibility of kingship at a very early age and ruled efficiently.  It is said that, when he was very young, he was captured by his enemies and imprisoned.  The room in which he was arrested was set on fire.  In this fire accident, his feet burnt.  Due to his charred leg, he was called as 'Karikalan'.

At a very young age he disguised as on old man and tactfully justified a case.

The Cheras and Pandyas together attacked Karikalan at Venni, Vahaipparanthalai.  Finally Karikala Cholan defeated the two rulers there and was victorious.  He built the dam Kallanai across the river Cauvery.  The dam still stands strong, even after 2000 years of its construction.

Cholas :

1. River    -    Cauvery

2. Capital   -    Uraiyur

3. Port         -    Kaveri poompattinam

4. Symbol    -    Tiger

  Pandyas  

Pandyas established their rule on the bank of Vaigai with Madurai as their capital.  The ancient Pandya country comprised of Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Virudunagar Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Tuticorin, Sivagangai and Ramanathapuram districts.

Madurai remained as the most popular city of Sangam period.  Pandya country was famous for pearls.  Muthamizh sangams were held in madurai under the patronage of pandyas.  The third Tamil Sangam was held in Madurai.  Muthamizh flourished during the reign of Pandyas.  The most famous kings were Thalaiyalanganathu Seruvendra Pandya Nedunchezhian and Pandya Nedunchezhian of Silapathikaram.

When Pandya Nednchezhian was a young boy, he fought a battle at Thalaiyalanganam against Chera, Chola and feudal lords (Kurunila Mannargal).  He defeated the combined force.  Therefore he got the title "Thalaiyalanganathu Seruvendra Pandya Nedunchezhian".

Silappathikaram :

During the rule of Pandya Nedunchezhian, he happened to prosecute Kovalan for theft and gave death sentence.  Kovalan's wife Kannagi advocated to prove her husband's innocence.

When the king realized the truth, he said "Yao Arasan, Yanae Kalvan"... "Kedugaven ayul" and died by falling down from his throne.  Immediately his wife Kopperundevi also sacrificed her life out of shock.  The administrative system of the Pandyas was depicted by Mangudi Maruthanar of 'Madurai Kanchi'.

Pandyas :

1. River    -    Vaigai

2. Capital  -    Madurai

3. Port        -    Korkai

4. Symbol   -    Two fish

  Pallavas  

The early Pallavas ruled on the banks of river Palar with Kancheepuram as their capital.  The regions ruled by them was called Thondaimandalam.  It is located in the North Eastern part of Tamil Nadu.

The kingdom of early Pallavas was founded by Sivaskanthavarma Pallavan.  He integrated Thondaimandalam and ruled over there.  The greatest kings among the early Pallavas were Sivaskanthavarman and Vishnugopan.

The later Pallava period was started from the reign of Simhavishnu.  The greatest kings of this period were Mahendravaran and Narasihavarman.  The greatest achievements of the Pallavas were Cave temples and Monolithic rathas.

Pallavas :

1. River    -    Palar

2. Capital  -    Kancheepuram

3. Port       -    Mahabalipuram

4. Symbol  -    Nandi

  Feudal Lords (Kurunila Mannargal)  

Apart from the Mooventhargal several Feudal lords or Kurunila Mannargal also ruled over smaller lands.  The most important among them were Pehan, Pari, Nedumudi kari, Aai, Athiyaman, Nalli and Valvil Ori.

These kings were known for their generosity.  Therefore they were popularly called as "Kadai ezhu vallalgal".

  Administrative System of Sangam Age  

Arasan was specially called as Ko, Kon, Venthan, Kotravan, Irai by his people.  Each dynasty had their own flag, symbol, scepter, sword, drum and venkotrakudai.

The kings were not only efficient warriors but they were scholars too.  Kingship became hereditary.  The first son became the ruler.  The kings greatly cared for the people of their country.

  Hospitality (Virunthombal)  

Hospitality occupied a significant place in Sangam period.  Even though it is Amritam (Nectar) it was considered to be a sin, if the guest is kept outside home.

Kakkai Padiniyar, a poet got the name for praising a crow for informing the arrival of a guest.  Purananuru describes hospitality as one of the important duties of the Tamils.

  Economic Conditions  

Various arts and crafts flourished during the Sangam Age.  People lived happily due to the development in economy.

Paddy and Sugarcane were the most important crops cultivated.  Besides these Varagu (Millets), Thinai (Millets) and Samai were also cultivated.

From the below, poet Avvai tries to convey that the prosperity of the king lies in the development of agriculture.

"Varappu uyara neer uyarum,      "வரப்புயர நீா் உயரும்,

Neer uyara nel uyarum,                 நீா் உயர நெல் உயரும்,

Nel uyara kudi uyarum,                நெல் உயர குடி உயரும்,

Kudi uyara kol uyarum,                குடி உயர கோல் உயரும்,

Kol uyara kon uyarvan"                கோல் உயர கோன் உயா்வான்"

                                                                                                                                   

  Conditions of Women  

Women were respected in the society.  Monogamy was prevalent.  Women were equal to men in bravery.  It is said in 'Purananuru' that in the first day of battle a woman lost her father, the second day she lost her husband.  In spite of these heavy loses, the third day she prepared and sent her son to the battle-field.

It is also said, a woman in the Sangam Age drove away of ferocious tiger with Muram (Winnow) in her hand.

  Festivals  

People of Sangam Age celebrated various festivals.  Karthikai, Thiruvathirai and Harvest festivals were the most celebrated ones.

Uruthirankannanar of 'Pattinappalai' said that the most popular festival of Indira Vizha was celebrated in Puhar.