Which one of the following explains the practice of Vattakirutal mentioned in Sangam poems?
(a) Kings employing women bodyguards
(b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
(c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals battle
(d) A king defeated in a committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
The correct answer is (d). Vattakirutal is a practice mentioned in Sangam poems in which a defeated king commits ritual suicide by starving himself to death. This was done to avoid the humiliation of being captured by the enemy.