 |
| The rare stone from 2nd century AD [Credit: Deccan Herald] |
The three research students, T. Thangadurai, S. Pandyan and A. Moses, of the Department of Epigraphy and Archaeology found the stone slab at Popanaikkottai near Pudukottai during the course of their fieldwork last week.
The stone lying near a small pond located nearby the village was being used for washing clothes.
The stone, measuring about 60 cm X 60 cm with a thickness of 10 cm, has been purposefully dressed into triangular shape. The front side of the stone has an inscription written in Tamil-Brahmi characters of ca. 2nd century CE (AD). The inscription is written in Tamil language, using the Tamil Brahmi script.
On being informed, professors Dr S. Rajavelu and Dr N. Athiyaman visited the spot, along with Prof Y. Subbarayalu, Prof K. Rajan from Pondicherry University and Dr D. Dayalan, regional director, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The team of professors consisting of Dr Rajavelu, Dr N. Athiyaman, Dr V. Vedachalam, Dr V. Selvakumar and Dr M. Bhavani deciphered the inscription. The text of the inscription is being subjected to detailed scrutiny by epigraphers.
According to Dr S. Rajavelu, this inscription refers to the death of Kanangi Kumaran who was an officer in-charge of the personal body guard wing of the fort of the army of Atavanaru (Atavanur) when he rescued cattle during the reign of Pon Kongar Vinnakkon, the successor of Koven Katti, a chief mentioned in the Sangam texts. The stone was installed in memory of Kanangi Kumaran.
“This is an interesting and important discovery,” says Tamil University vice-chancellor Dr M. Thirumalai.
“Our students have already discovered 4 hero stone inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi script and this is the fifth one which is also engraved in Tamil Brahmi characters. The four hero stone inscriptions are datable to pre Christian Era and the present one is dated to ca. 2nd century CE”, Dr Thirumalai said.
The spot still has the remnants of a mud fort and the fort covers nearly 40 acres of land. It could have served as a garrison in those days.
This inscription is very important epigraphical evidence to correlate with the Tamil society of Sangam period, illustrated in the Sangam texts.
The Sangam literature amply refers to the capturing of cattle in the enemy region and rescuing the cattle etc. The capturing of cattle then was considered a prestigious act among the villagers.
Author: S. Irshad Ahamed | Source: Deccan Herald [July 21, 2012]