12th century pillar stone of Vikarama Chola era unearthed near Polur

On information from locals, a team from the centre rushed to the spot and conducted a detailed study of the inscriptions, which revealed details about the irrigation and agriculture that were practiced in the region.

A six-member team, led by TM Prakash, president of Tiruvannamalai Centre for Historical Research, with the assistance of former government archaeologist visited the irrigation tank at Thenmudiyanur near Thandarampattu after they got information regarding a stone pillar with inscriptions.

After applying paint on the stone pillar, the team was able to read the old Tamil scripture inscribed on the pillar belonging to the era of Vikarama Chola of 12th century.

The inscriptions stated that the pillar was erected by Latchiya Mudayan I of Kovalur on the north bank of Ponnai river to honour Cholanthaga Palavarayan Vadugan Alavanthan I.

Prakash said, when kings dig irrigation tanks, they would erect pillars mentioning various details. Though this particular pillar has only minimum details about the agricultural and irrigational systems in the region, a systemic study of such pillars would reveal more information about several practises.

The pillar’s base contains an inscription saying, “I will carry on my head the feet of those who safeguard this pillar.” The team is continuing its study to decode the full inscription on the pillar.