Rare 11th century Chola-era inscription stone unearthed in Pudukkottai district

The team from the government school in Ellaippatti made the discovery during their field visit in their village. The team’s coordinator Kasthuri Rengan immediately informed the founder of Pudukkottai Archaeological Research Forum, Manganoor A Manikandan, who along with other members of the forum immediately reached the spot. 

According to the archaeological research forum, the inscription had verses praising the great itinerant merchant groups called “Thisaiyaarathu Ainootruvar”.

Karu Rajendran, president of the forum, said, “In those days the merchants were treated on par with the kings. They enjoyed royal rights and covered a vast area spanning the entire East Asia region. These merchants had a strong influence in the East Asian region. They had amicable relationship with most of the rulers in that region, which enabled them to serve as ambassadors between different kingdoms.” 

“The style of the scripture and mention of the merchant group confirms that the five-foot-high stone belongs to the 11th century. It also mentions Rajendra Chola I, who ruled during that time,” Rajendran said.

All four sides of the stone have inscriptions. At the top a sceptre, an eagle, a sickle, a concha and lamps are carved. The words “Pazhiyali Kallidaikkodi Thalai”, considered to be the honorary title given to Rajendra Chola I, are also found. The inscription begins with “Smastha Buvanatha”, followed by seven lines of invocation to God. 

In the following lines, the group of merchants introduced themselves as people of Goddess Shri Maheswari of Ayyappozhil. The next few lines speaks of 18 heavily guarded port cities with large palaces and great roads, 32 commercially important towns and sixty-four heavily guarded market places with warehouses. This gives a reference to the Tamil merchant groups and their organised operation.