A remarkable feature of the Sangam literature is its vivid portrayal of the contemporary society and culture of Tamilaham, or Tamil region and its peaceful and harmonious interaction with the northern (Aryan) culture.

Political structure of Tamilaham:

(i) Tamilaham stretches between the hills of Tirupati and the tip of Kanyakumari. It was divided amongst a large number of chieftains and the chieftainship was hereditary.

(ii) The important chieftains who dominated Tamil region during Sangam Age were the Cholas, with their capital at Uraiyur, the Cheras with their capital at Vanji, and Pandyas with their capital at Madurai.

(iii) The Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras had several subordinate chiefs.

(iv) Tribute from subordinate chiefs along with plunder, were the main sources of revenue.

(v) There was frequent conflicts between the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. It gave large scope to the Sangam poets to compose poems on war. 

(vi) The whole Tamilaham in this period was divided into five tinais or eco-zones, i.e., zones based on their economic resources. These were: Kurinji (hilly region); palai (arid zone); mullabi (pastoral tracts); marudam (wet lands); and neital (seacoast).

These zones were not clearly demarcated, and were scattered all around the region Because of their different geographical contexts and ecological specialities people in different tinais had their own modes of subsistence. For example, in Kurinji, it was hunting and gathering; in palai, where people could not produce anything they took to raiding and plundering; in mullai people practised animal husbandry; in marudam it was plough agriculture; and in neutral people took to fishing and salt making..

Social structure of Tamilaham:

(i) Though the concept of varna was known, social classes in the Sangam period were not marked by higher or lower rankings as in north India. For example, Brahmanas were present in the society and they performed Vedic ceremonies and sacrifices and also acted as advisers to the chief but they enjoyed no special privileges.

(ii) People were known on the basis of their occupation they followed, such as artisans, salt merchants, textile merchants, etc.

(iii) The rich lived in well decorated brick houses and wore costly clothes whereas the poor lived in mud huts and had scanty clothes to wear.

(iv) War heroes occupied a special position in society, and memorial stones called nadukal or virukkal were raised in honour of those who died in fighting, and they were worshipped as godlings. 

(v) Women in the Sangam period appear to have been educated. This is testified by many poems contributed by women poets to the Sangam literature.

(vi) Women were also engaged in various economic activities such as paddy plantation, cattle rearing, basket-making, spinning, etc. 

(vii) The practice of Sati was also prevalent in Tamil society, and it was known as tippayadal. But it was not obligatory as there are references to widows present in society. However their position was miserable as they were prohibited to decorate themselves or participate in any form of amusement.