பிற்காலச் சோழர் கால வேளாண்மை / Later Chola Period Agriculture

Agricultural production has been the fundamental basis of human survival and has been practised since ancient times. Tolkappiyar classified land into five distinct types: Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham, Neithal, and Palai. Among these, Marutham land is suitable for ploughing. Additionally, the ancient Tamils categorized land based on soil characteristics into three types: hard, soft, and cultivated. Numerous references to agricultural practices can be found in Sangam literature as well as in successive Tamil literary works. Water has always been the foundation of agriculture. Ancient Tamils developed various techniques for water conservation and utilized stored water efficiently according to seasonal requirements. They selected crops based on soil characteristics and enriched the soil with natural fertilizers such as manure, green leaves and plant residues, safeguarded crops against pests, and ensured timely harvesting. The surplus grains were securely stored and utilized during periods of drought. While agriculture had been a continuous practice, it underwent significant advancements during the Chola period. Large tracts of uncultivated land were converted into arable land, largely due to the availability of water from the Cauvery River. The later Cholas implemented systematic irrigation methods to maximize the river's resources by demonstrating exceptional expertise in water management. As Chola Nadu was a water-rich region, numerous strategies were employed by the Chola regime for water conservation and distribution, leading to increased agricultural productivity. Thus, paddy cultivation expanded significantly and rice became a key product in the barter system. The ‘Sava Muva Peradu’ project employed a large number of people. The Cholas adhered to natural farming methods, though they also faced challenges such as storms and floods. This study examines various aspects of later Chola-era agriculture, including water resources, soil management, irrigation systems, paddy fields, crop production, cultivation methods, barter systems etc.