Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?

Answer: B. The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets. SANGAM LITERATURE (~3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE) refers to the corpus of early Tamil poetry composed during the three legendary Sangam assemblies. It comprises works like Ettuthogai (Eight Anthologies) and Pathuppattu (Ten Idylls). Statement B is CORRECT. Although Sangam society had its own Tamil social classifications (Tinai-based ecological-cum-social divisions: kurinji, mullai, marudham, neidhal, palai) and its own ruling classes (Vendar, Velir), the Sangam poets DID KNOW THE VARNA SYSTEM and refer to Brahmins (parppanar/anthanar) in the texts. The varna scheme was known but did not dominate Tamil social organisation, which remained more egalitarian and clan-based. Distractors: (A) WRONG — Sangam poems are RICH IN MATERIAL CULTURE references: pearls, conch, gold ornaments, ships, ports (Muziris, Arikamedu), trade with Romans, cattle, agriculture, weaponry. They are a primary source for early Tamil economic and social life. (C) WRONG — Sangam Puram (heroic) poetry CELEBRATES THE WARRIOR ETHIC: kings' valour, battles, hero-stones (nadukal), martial generosity. The Puram poems are largely about war and kingly heroism. (D) WRONG — Sangam poems DO NOT critique magical forces as irrational; they take magical and ritualistic elements (anangu, evil eye, divine intervention) seriously within their worldview. Source: NCERT Class 11 Themes in Indian History (Tamilakam chapter) / Romila Thapar, Early India / K. A. Nilakanta Sastri.