- Form of government- hereditary monarchy
- The king had also taken the advice of his minister, court-poet and the imperial court or avai and was attended by a number of chiefs and officials
- Titles assumed by kings:
- Cheras- Vanavaramban, Vanavan, Kuttuvan, Irumporai and Villavar
- Cholas- Senni, Valavan and Killi
- Pandyas- Thennavar and Minavar
- Royal emblem of Sangam dynasties:
- Carp for Pandyas
- Tiger for Cholas
- Bow for Cheras
- The king was assisted by a large body of officials who were divided into five councils. They were:
- Ministers (amaichar)
- Priests (anthanar)
- Military commanders (senapati)
- Envoys (thuthar)
- Spies (orrar)
- The military administration was efficiently organized, each ruler had a regular army and their respective Kodimaram (tutelary tree)
- Chief source of state’s income- land revenue
- Custom duty was also imposed on foreign trade. The Pattinappalai refers to customs officials employed in the seaport of Puhar
- Booty captured in wars was also a major income to the royal treasury
- Roads and highways were well maintained and guarded night and day to prevent robbery and smuggling