Destroying the city of Madurai in an act of vengeance.
Explanation
The Silappadikaram, the earliest Tamil epic and one of the Five Great Epics of Sangam literature. Composed by Ilango Adigal, the narrative centers on the merchant Kovalan and his devoted wife, Kannagi. The epic highlights the virtues of chastity (Karpu) and the consequences of injustice.
Detailed Analysis
- Being a courtesan who composed the epic. is Incorrect: The courtesan mentioned in the epic is Madhavi, with whom Kovalan had an affair. She is a distinct character from Kannagi.
- Destroying the city of Madurai in an act of vengeance. is Correct: Following the unjust execution of her husband Kovalan by the Pandya King Nedunchezhiyan (who mistakenly accused him of stealing the Queen's anklet), Kannagi proved his innocence in the royal court. In her grief and rage, she cursed the city of Madurai, resulting in the city being destroyed by fire.
- Establishing the first kingdom of the Pandyas. is Incorrect: The Pandya kingdom was already an established ancient dynasty during the Sangam Age. Kannagi is a literary figure within that period, not the founder of the dynasty.
- Being the daughter of the merchant Kovalan. is Incorrect: Kannagi was the wife of the merchant Kovalan. The daughter of Kovalan (born to the courtesan Madhavi) was Manimekalai, who is the protagonist of the sequel epic, Manimekalai.
Key Takeaway
Kannagi, the protagonist of Silappadikaram, is revered as the "Goddess of Chastity" (Pattini) and is famously associated with the burning of Madurai as an act of vengeance against the injustice meted out to her husband.