most of the kalvettus available on temples of tamilnadu are logically temple related edicts. its mostly about donations to keep the different aspects of the temple running. most are about funding for lamps and for which lands or goats are given. they do give the name of donors and receipients and the mode of donation. of course they identify the location of the temple down to district or village level. what most of us consider as the historical aspects are sadly neglected.i am of course not talking about the copper plates. frankly very few kalvettus give us a historical perspective of our kings and events. however there are some superstars among them. vijay , sps and others could you give us the op 10 kalvettus which have historical data and some impact on us. by the merit of having started this discussion i list the first two
1. udayarkudi mentioning the punishment to adityas assasins. 2. vanthiyathevan kalvettu in big temple linking rrc, kunthavai, vanthiyathevan and vallam( the backbone of ps0
Lavanya .. who reads inscriptions Ram .. who founded our Gp and reads inscriptions Kamal... who has written on temple architecture in varalaaru and Gokul .. who is versatile..
among ourselves !?
This team, under the able guidance of Dr. Kalaikkovan and Dr. Nalini has accomplished a lot and recorded .
We read the contributions from the first three more in varalaaru. Gokul, with his preoccupation, does make contributions whenever possible (like the one posted today).
Gokul's "Rajakesari" is also much discussed fiction among varalaaru readers.
Yourself, Pavithra & Dhivakar (there are other writers like Natarajan and others ) are well recognised in the Print Media already.
I understand our dear Vijay's BLOG is much discussed among the various Tamilnet Groups and beyond too.
As your rightly mentioned, the Udayarkudi inscription which contains the name of Ravidasan, Soman Sambavan, Parameswaran has ignited me to look more into inscriptions and guiding me towards Udayalur (via) Thiruvalanchuzhi and the Big Temple !
Super Star/s ???
Probably that honour in our Group need to be shared by yourself (Kaviri Maindhan, Thilliyil oru Kollaikkaran, Kalki biography... with much more in the offing with variation to Chola - Pandya History through Malikgafur .. through Kopperunchingan and others !) and Dhivakar (Vamsadaa / cholas, Thirumalai thirudan / Vaishnavism, Vichitra chithan / Mahendra Pallava and another in the ofing .. contemporary !)
vijay , sps and others could you give us the op 10 kalvettus which have historical data and some impact on us. by the merit of having started this discussion i list the first two
1. udayarkudi mentioning the punishment to adityas assasins. 2. vanthiyathevan kalvettu in big temple linking rrc, kunthavai, vanthiyathevan and vallam( the backbone of ps0
venketesh =======================
Of course we can give dear Venkat.
3. Papanasam :: 8th Yr of RRC :: Reproduction of an old edict ::
" Idhuvum pazhangallil vettinapadi " quoting Sembianmadevi's grants during Uthama period .. ending with " sembiayan madevi thiruvayirudhitha Uthama chozha devarkkaga endru pazhangalli vettinapadi ... "
I think Venkat's question is quite different. Is there any kalvettu, which gave us a great historical reference as Udayarkudi. From Udayarkudi we clearly know that AK was assasinated by whom and what punishment was given to them. I think, Venkat is asking (and I too have such doubts) whether we have any kalvetu which gives such historical facts. Almost all the kalvettus found give us info about a nivantham given to a temple, by whom, when and what, may be with info about under whose rule (like Kulothungas 5th Regn. year or 20th Regn. yeat etc). Such kalvettu's give us a micro level history pertaining to the local area.Any kalvettu, which gives us a broader spectrum of History?
Becuase, the two example quoted by Venkat gives us many historical info about the royal family and their acts. (like VD was chola's mappillai)which is the History as a whole. Where as the reproduction of old edict, given by you, is again a nivantham, if I am correct.
Thanks for the clarification. ah...I too was thinking about the Kapilakal (thats the only one I remember. Courtesy- Gokuls kalvetu sonna kathai :) and you mentioned it. I think that gives us one of the best incident in ancient history. Thanks SPS.
> Item 4 : KANYAKUMARI INSCRIPTIONS OF VEERA RAJENDRAN (S/o Rajendra I): > > These INSCRIPTIONS almost confirm the geneology mentioned in the > COPPER PLATES of Leyden Grants (@ Aanamangalam village grants by RRC > & Rajendra I to the Naagai Buddha Vihar - In PS already this Buddha > Vihar exists ! ) and Thiruvalangadu Copper plates of Rajendra I. > > Item 5 : KANCHI KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE INSCRIPTIONS of Rajasimhan : > > These describe the geneology of PALLAVAS. > > > Vijay will continue the other 5. > > > anbudan / sps >
Dear SPS,
I am not quite sure whether my question is valid. I dont have much knowledge as you people do, but for long time I have this doubt.
If we can accept the copper plates of RJC or the one you mentioned as 4 to accept the geneology of Chola's, why still some people dont accept that pallavas are of Indian origin, based on Kanchi inscriptions and keep repeatedly saying that they are from Iran or some other place and do not belong to TN/India? I have not read Pallavar Varalaru by Dr.Rasamanickanar. Has he touched upon this?
> > Super Star/s ??? > > Probably that honour in our Group need to be shared > by yourself (Kaviri Maindhan, Thilliyil oru Kollaikkaran, Kalki > biography... with much more in the offing with variation to Chola - > Pandya History through Malikgafur .. through Kopperunchingan and > others !) and Dhivakar (Vamsadaa / cholas, Thirumalai thirudan / > Vaishnavism, Vichitra chithan / Mahendra Pallava and another in the > ofing .. contemporary !) > > Trust Vijay does concur. > > regards, best wishes & Greetings, > > sps >
Hi sps,
Everyone is a superstar in psvp - just that some have graduated faster, am sure there are many more authors and historians who will flower in this fertile bed of PSVP, enriched by his master kalki's immortal PS and supported by good souls like you.
I also remember one which says temples were locked up during the madurai sultanate priod.also on how no pujas took place.
venketesh
> > > > Probably that honour in our Group need to be shared > > by yourself (Kaviri Maindhan, Thilliyil oru Kollaikkaran, Kalki > > biography... with much more in the offing with variation to Chola - > > Pandya History through Malikgafur .. through Kopperunchingan and > > others !) and Dhivakar (Vamsadaa / cholas, Thirumalai thirudan / > > Vaishnavism, Vichitra chithan / Mahendra Pallava and another in the > > ofing .. contemporary !) > > > > Trust Vijay does concur. > > > > regards, best wishes & Greetings, > > > > sps > > > > Hi sps, > > Everyone is a superstar in psvp - just that some have graduated > faster, am sure there are many more authors and historians who will > flower in this fertile bed of PSVP, enriched by his master kalki's > immortal PS and supported by good souls like you. > > rgds > vj >
Everywhere[2] within Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi's domain, and among the people beyond the borders, the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Satiyaputras, the Keralaputras, as far as Tamraparni and where the Greek king Antiochos rules, and among the kings who are neighbors of Antiochos,[3] everywhere has Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, made provision for two types of medical treatment: medical treatment for humans and medical treatment for animals.
2. Mahendra's magadapattu kalvettu
Why important:
He claims that he built a temple for the trinity without using brick, wood, metal or mortar .
4. Rajasimha's ( ok subject of contention) atiranchanda madabam inscription
Why Important:
Some vital clues or more confusions to the authorship of the mallai monuments:
The message proclaims that Atiranachanda caused this temple for Siva, Uma and Skanda. The message is very clear. But we need to establish who this Atiranachanda was. The problem is similar inscriptions are found in Ganesa Ratha and Dharmaraja Mandapam. There are similarities as well as variations in the scripts used among these.
5. Dasavathara inscription of adhi varaaha madabam:
Why important:
This is important for two reasons. One is that this is the earliest epigraphical listing of the ten avatara-s in the Tamil country. The second is that the Buddha is shown as one among the avatara-s replacing Krishna.
Pallava inscriptions and their birudas - titles are a study by itself - they had such wonderful and delightful titles, we should have a seperate thread on them.
Ok, now with respect to PS - apart from inscriptions and plates, kalki also drew heavily from mahavamsa accounts.
6. Aditya Karikala - vira pandiya thalai konda ( did he literally take the head or was it figurative to mean defeat - later plates proved that he indeed cut off the head and displayed it on a stake outside tanjore)
similar ref to his bravery as a young boy ( 14 years) - a lion cub sporting among elephants.
7. The Thiruvalangadu copper-plate inscriptions:
" Though his subjects entreated Arulmozhi Varman, he did not desire the kingdom for himself even inwardly as long as his paternal uncle coveted ".
"Having noticed by the marks (on his body) that Arulmozhi was the very Vishnu, the protector of the three worlds, descended on earth, [Uttama] installed him in the position of yuvaraja (heir apparent) and himself bore the burden of ruling the earth "
8. The famous big temple inscriptions listing kundavai and Vallavaraiyar Vandyadevar
why important
becase rrc listed his akkan ( elder sister) ahead of his wive(s) - kalki picked his respect for her.
Lists the assasination of AK - by traitors ( throgigal) and gives their names - Ravidasan and soman sambavan. and also the punishment - since they were brahmins, they were spared their lives, but they were banished along with their entire families, families that had marital ties with them
RRC donating gold for coating the top filial - on the 275 th day of the 25th Year of RRC. 985+ 25 - 1010 as date for completion of the big temple
Thus it appears that the construction of the temple began in the 19th year and that a considerable portion of it was completed by the 23rd year. On the 275th day of the 25th year the king presented a copper-pot to be placed on the pinnacle of the central shrine. We may conclude from this time; for, so far as the central shrine was concerned, the fixing of the copper-pot on the pinnacle would have been the last thing to be done.
Guess, we can continue like this to make it top 20:
The temple dancer endowment of RRC The grant for the nagai buddhist vihara
RJC
Kadaram kondan Gangai kondaan Retrival of pandya haram from lanka King of cambodia paying tribute ( golden chariot) Defeat of srivijaya and bringing back of vijaya thronam ( victory arch) Construction of GKC and the pillar of victory
if we ask vijay to list top ten he goes on to top twenty thirty good but thiruvalangadu unacceptable- i mentioned only kalvettu.
> 1. Ashokan edicts: > > Why imporant: > > Reference to cholas and pandyas in ashokan edicts
so we have kalvettus establishing antiquity of tamils and the muvendar
> 3. mahendra's rockfort kalvettu > > Why important: > > Where he converts from a hostile faith!!
phenomenal. how tamilnadu changed its religion overnight
2 faiths 2 kings and 2 saints. the history of our land changed and an edict mentioning it. vijay would i be asking too much if i want to see a kalvettu for the pandyan king nedumaran changing faith too?
> 5. Dasavathara inscription of adhi varaaha madabam: > > Why important: > > This is important for two reasons. One is that this is the earliest > epigraphical listing of the ten avatara-s in the Tamil country. The > second is that the Buddha is shown as one among the avatara-s > replacing Krishna.
an edict explaining the religious scenario of the past. one which is so different from today.
> 8. The famous big temple inscriptions listing kundavai and > Vallavaraiyar Vandyadevar > > why important > > becase rrc listed his akkan ( elder sister) ahead of his wive(s) - > kalki picked his respect for her.
good point.
> 9. Udayarkudi inscription > > why important > > Lists the assasination of AK - by traitors ( throgigal) and gives > their names - Ravidasan and soman sambavan. and also the punishment - > since they were brahmins, they were spared their lives, but they were > banished along with their entire families, families that had marital > ties with them
kalki took the names of the assasins from this.
> Kadaram kondan > Gangai kondaan
given the logistics and the distance involved these kalvettus will have great historical importance if we find contemprory evidence.
If not this grant was explored, we would have not known most of happening during dark period (as mentioned by historians) and Kalappirar.
Nedunjadaian issued the Velvikkudi grant and was donor of that village to the descendents of the original donees. Much of the early history of the Pandyas too, could not have been peiced together but for this informative and lengthy document.
Long ago, the Sangham Oandyan King Palyagalasalai Mudukudumip Peruvazhudhi granted a Velvikkudi (Brahnim Village - tax free) to a brahmin KoRkai Kizhaan NarkoRRan. When the Kalabhras took over the Tamil country, they destabalised this charity; then centuries later, when Parantaka Nedunjadayan became King of Madurai, one Narasinghan, a descendant of earlier KoRkai Kizhaan represented the King his claim to the Village. The King reendowed the descendent of the original; and on the Velvikkudi copper plates, the new grant was inscribed with unusually full description of the King's acheivement.
The grants were issued in the third year of Nedunjadaiyan.
When completely read all the inscriptions of Velvikkudi plates, Kadungon, the first revived King of Pandya appeared in the plates. He who conquered the Kalappiras.
For people who do research on Pandya, the Velvikkudi grant was goldmine.
i think the uthiramerur democracy kalvetu comes first. much after greece but still i think first in feudal india where even today democracy is only namesake.
once we sum up the top ten we expect more details on them.
Noted, let us spend some more time is listing more inscriptions
i am sure we have missed a few
- like the hathigumpha inscription of kharvela - The only other inscription apart from Ashoka edicts to date that mentions rulers south of Kaveri or Tamil Nadu
Kharavela of Kalinga records his conquest of a federation of Tamil kings in his Hathigumpha inscription, so the the antiquity of Tamil rulers is established.
- how about the gaja bahu sync / dating of silapthigaram.
- references in literature - karikalan kattinaan kallanai
- Kulottunga and sundara pandya each destroying each other cities and their throne rooms - ploughing with donkey ( my fav)
- even inside this point to note is sundara pandya destroyed everything but a mandapa which was gifted to poet kannanar by karikala - such was his esteem and regard for poetry.
There is a simple, scientific and accepted (?) way. Define the parameters for evaluation - age, content, veracity, location etc. and then award ratings. Weightage for the parameters can be assigned to get the total score. The first step is to define the parameters. Sampath
Democratic states existed in india, even during the period when alexander was invading upon on North-western parts of the sub-continental india. I would be rating Heliodorus Garuda-stamba as one of the top ten, for it tells that Hinduism was patronised even by outsiders.
.. > > that the MERCHANT (Nagarathar) community constructed a Siva temple > in China sometime back... (same one)...
i have details of temples built in 1875- 1920 in vietnam, laos, burma, cambodia and of course singapore malaysia. some of them still exist with great amount of jewels. the murugan temple at saigon has a vaira vel. china was similar territory at that point of time. must have had nagarthar temples too. a novelty about chettiar families is that they have " patta peyar" some are like 'thenna marathaar viidu" many are based on the locations their banking operations were in like bavaniyar vidu, kovilooraar viidu. rarely we come across families with names of places in burma, ceylon etc, corrupted with time.