Dandanayakan Fort: Hoysala Commander's Fort forms part of Bhavani Sagar Dam Catchment Area.

Dandanayakan Fort submerged in Bhavani Sagar Dam. PC: Keetru 13 Dec 2012

Bhavani Sagar Dam aka Lower Bhavani Dam and Reservoir (Wikipedia)

Bhavani Sagar Dam aka Bhavani Sagar Dam and Reservoir is the prominent earthen dam in India .  The second largest dam in Tamil Nadu  is located  on the Bhavani River in Erode district, Tamil Nadu. The dam with a capacity to store 32.8 tmc of water feeds the Lower Bhavani Project Canal and forms the water source for  the vast swathes of land (2.45 lac acres of land) in Erode & Tiruppur Districts. The irrigation project was the first major irrigation project designed and developed in India after independence in 1947 and came to full function by 1956. It is one the favorite places for picnics and known for childerns' amusement, fun and gaiety.

Whenever the water level in Bhavani agar Dam goes down (total height of the dam -  32 m (105 ft) the visitors can view  the Danayakkan Kottai ‘டனாய்க்கன் கோட்டை’ aka Dhana Nayakan fort. Whenever water level reaches full height the fort gets submerged into the water. According to historians the fort dates back to 1292 and 1341. Before the construction of Bhavanisagar Dam and Reservoir the present catchment area of the dam was occupied by the Dhana Nayakan fort as well as villages like Kooduvoy (கூடுவாய்), Peerkadavu (பீர்க்கடவு) and Kuyyanur (குய்யனூர்). Once it was decided to construct the dam the native people were provided with alternate land for living.  The fort also bears some significant inscriptions.

Kongu Nadu region (Wikipedia)

This region was known as part of Kongu Nadu. Valasundara Kavirayar, probably a seventeenth century poet, hailing from Vijayamangalam (near Perundurai) versifies the borders of the Kongu mandalam as:

வடக்கு நந்திகிரி வராககிரி தெற்கு

குடக்கு பொறுப்பு வெள்ளிக்குன்று

களித்தன்டலை மேவு காவிரிசூழ்

நாடு-குளித்தன்டலை அளவு கொங்கு.  

 - கொங்குமண்டல சதகம்

According to his poem in Kongumandala sathakam (கொங்குமண்டல சதகம்), the Kongu Nadu was bound by Varaka Giri (Panrimalai mountain (பன்றிமலை) in the Palani-Kodaikkanal ranges (பழனி கொடைக்கானல் மலை) in the south, Kudagu (குடகு) and Vellikundru (வெள்ளிக்குன்று) (Kodagu (கொடகு) in the Madikeri dist. of Karnataka and Vellingiri hills (வெள்ளிங்கிரி) near Coimbatore) in the east and Nandigiri (நந்திகிரி) (Nandi hills in Kolar and Tumkur dists. of Karnataka) in the north. The native communities of Kongu Nadu includes Kongar (கொங்கர்), Kosar (கோசர்), Aviyar (அவியர்), Oviyar (ஓவியர்), Veliyar (வெளியர்), Velir (வேளிர்) etc. Agriculture was the major occupation of many of the people in and around this vast region.

The ancient Kongu country was ruled over by the Velir chiefs.  Sources indicate about an active trade between Kongu and the classical Romans during this period. At the end of Sangam Period from about 300 A.D.- 600 A.D., there is a lack of coherent information on the history of Kongu Nadu. The South Western region of Kongu was occupied by Chera rulers; South Eastern part by Pandya kings. Adiyas and Kadavas possessed Northern Kongu.

Imperial Cholas ruled the Kongu region except the south and south-western region which were controlled by the Pandyas and the Chera kings of the Perumal dynasty. During the 10th century A.D., Kongu came under autonomous rule of the members of the collateral Chera family for nearly 300 years and they assumed the titles and names of Imperial Cholas. Thereafter the Pandyas ruled for some time.

Hoysalas, a prominent Southern Indian Kannadiga empire, ruled most of the modern-day state of Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu.  The loss of Vira Someshwara (1235–1263) against Jatavarman Sundara Pandiyan resulted in the end of the Hoysala Empire. Jatavarman Sundara Pandiyan went inside Kannada country after conquering Tiruchy and occupied parts of Hoysala territory up to the Konkana coast and established his son Vira Pandiyan as ruler of those territories. The Imperial Cholas made alliance with Hoysalas and this  alliance with the Hoysalas did no good to the Cholas and with the death of Vira Someshwara. The Pandyans got hold of the Kongu territories, Chola Nadu and some of the Hoysala countries during the time and a new clan called Kongu Pandiyar (கொங்கு பாண்டியர்கள்) was established under Jatavarman Vira Pandiyan.

Vira Ballala III (மூன்றாம் வீர வல்லாளா) (1292-1343) was the eleventh and last ruler of Hoysala dynasty. In Karnataka the core area around Mysore right up to Tiruvannamalai (திருவண்ணாமலை) in Tamil Nadu was in the hands of Vira Ballala III. Around c.1310, Ballala III successfully played 'king maker' in the affairs of Tamil country by appointing Sundara Pandya (சுந்தர பாண்டியன்) as the Pandya king as opposed to his competitor, Vira Pandya (வீர பாண்டியன்). In 1327 A.D., Muhammad Tughlaq shifted his capital to Devagiri from Delhi and this has brought enormous Muslim armies dangerously close to the Hoysala capital of Dvarasamudra (துவாரசமுத்திரா). As a precaution, Vira Ballala III had established three capitals: Dvarasamudra (துவாரசமுத்திரா), Kundani  (குந்தாணி) and Tiruvannamalai (திருவண்ணாமலை). He also entrusted the task of defending the Northern frontier of the Hoysala kingdom to the five Sangama brothers (சங்கமா சகோதரர்கள்) of which Harihara and Bukkaraya (ஹரிஹர மற்றும் புக்க ராயா) are the most famous.

Vira Ballala III was engaged in near constant warfare with the genocidal regime of Bahmani and the Madurai Sultanates in desperate attempts to destroy it and liberate the deep south. He was over eighty years old at this time met a tragic end in 1342 AD at the hands of  Ghiyas-ud-din Damghan Shah, a successor of Ahsan Shah. This great defender of Dharma was captured in the decisive battle of Kannur-Koppam  and skinned alive by the blood thirsty Ghiyas-ud-din.

Hoysala Administration

Hoysala Administration was similar to Western Chalukya and Western Ganga Dynasties in relation to political and geographical segregation,  local administration, army and ministry. At the apex, the Hoysala king was supported by the cabinet comprising five ministers (Pancha Pradhanas). This figure grow into higher number at a later date.

Perumal Dandanayaka 

The commanders of the army was known as Dandanayaka (or Senadhipati). Perumal Dandanayaka was the commander of Vira Ballala III and he was responsible in conquering the Kongu Nadu. In order to respect his valor and faith of his Dandanayaka, Vira Ballala gave the part of Kongu Nadu as a gift to Perumal Dandanayaka. The army commander built a fort and ruled this Kongu region. Over a period of Dandanayaka Fort was transformed as Dhannanayaka Fort (தண்ணநாய்க்கன் கோட்டை) and further damaged to Danayakan Fort (டனாய்க்கன் கோட்டை).

Someswara Mangalambika Temple


The Hoysala temple dedicated to Someswara Mangalambika (சோமேஸ்வர மங்களாம்பிகை கோவில்) temple built by Narasimha III (1263–1292) in memory of his father Vira Someswara (1235–1263) is also located nearer to this fort. During Muslim invasion, the forts and Hindu temples were ransacked by the mugal and this fort and temple were also ransacked. Over the years Hoysala came back to power and renovated the fort and the temple. One Ballaya-danadanayakkan (Valiya-dandanayakkan as per inscription) son of  Dutapillai-dandanayakkan of Aranappuram of Madurantakam in Tondaimandalam, undertook the renovation.

Renovation of Someswara Temple by  Ballaya-danadanayakkan

The  undated inscription on the wall of the central shrine, Varadaraja-Perumal temple, Alambakkam, Lalgudi Taluk, Tiruchirapalli District  comprise two sections. The first section is composed in verse as well as in prose and the other section is in prose only. The inscription in verse refers about the renovation of the temples of Dachchina Kailayamudaiyar and Tirumerkoyil (the temple in the west, i. e., Vishnu). The lithic record in prose (below the verse portion) refers about the one Valiya Dandanayakkan (Ballaya-danadanayakkan), son of  Adappillai-dandanayakkan of [Aranappuram] of Madurantakam in Tondaimandalam, who was a dandanayaka  of Narasingadevan (Narasimha III), caused the repairs to this Sri vimana  (of the a central shrine or sanctum) on which the record is inscribed. 

The inscription does not provide the name of the temple. This general or dandanayaka is identical with his namesake who is mentioned as the son of Dutapillai-dandanayakkan in the Tamil portion and as the arbhaka  (son) of Duta in Sanskrit verse in a record (S. I. I., Vol. V, No. 659, verse 1, line 1) from Tirumalavadi in Udaiyarpalayam Taluk of the same district. It is possible that their overlord Narasimha mentioned in these two inscriptions is evidently the same as Hoysala Narasimha III (1263–1292), who held sway over this area. It may be said from the above records that his reign period witnessed many benevolent acts including the construction of a tank called Madurantakappereri. One the grounds of paleography Narasimha may be considered to be identical with the second king of that name. The temple may be considered as Someswara Mangalambika (சோமேஸ்வர மங்களாம்பிகை கோவில்) temple built by Narasimha III (1263–1292). 

Reference:

1. South Indian Inscriptions. Volume 26 Introduction_2
2. Vijayangar Chapter 6: The Great war of Liberation
3. அணைக்குள் மூழ்கிக் கிடக்கும் கோட்டை தினகரன்
4. பவானிசாகர் அணைக்குள் மூழ்கிக் கிடக்கும் பழம்பெரும் கோட்டை தினமலர் 01 ஆகஸ்ட் 2010
5. பவானிசாகர் அணையில் நீர் மட்டம் குறைந்ததால் வெளியே தெரியும் கோட்டை கோவில் மாலைமலர் மே 27 2012
6. பவானிசாகர் நீர்மட்டம் சரிவு கோயில்கள் வெளியில் தெரிகின்றன தமிழ் முரசு 08 March  2013
7. சத்தியமங்கலம் வனம் - தமிழகத்தின் பசுமை நுரையீரல் கீற்று  13 டிசம்பர் 2012

Penneswaramadam Temple Inscription: How the Vira Ramanatha, Hoysala Ruler kept corruption at bay?

Sri Vedanayagi sameda Penneswara Nayanar temple

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  Sugavana Murugan, Freelance Archaeologist shows the Hoysala King Vira Ramanatha's inscription in Penneswaramadam Temple, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

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  நவகண்டம் கல்வெட்டு.

The temples, during 13th century Hoysala rule, were degraded themselves to grossly corrupt practices. Vira Ramanatha (1253 to 1295 A.D.), the tenth Hoysala ruler showed  zero tolerance towards corruption. The Tamil Grantha inscription inscribed by the king in Penneswara Nayanar, Penneswaramadam clearly indicate how intolerant against corrupt practices and the violators of ethical framework. The Hoysala king has adopted anti-corruption measures in favor of his people.

Shri. Sugavana Murugan (pudhuezuthu), the scholar,  a government school teacher and also a freelance archaeologist, District Archaeology Centre of Kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri district has informed about the recording of the Tamil Grantha inscription by Shri. Su. Rajagopal and Shri. Su. Krishnamoorthy of the State Department of Archaeology.

The translation of the inscription in the Tamil Grantha script has been recorded by Su. Rajagopal and Su. Krishnamoorthy of the State Department of Archaeology, says Sugavana Murugan of the District Archaeology Centre. 

Penneswaramadam,  a panchayat village located on the bank of the South Pennar River  in Krishnagiri taluk Krishnagiri district PIN 635112. The village is approximately 100 kilometres  from Bangalore and.5 km from Kaveripattinam and 34 km from Dharmapuri. Penneswaramadam is geographically located at latitude 12 ° 23′0'' and longitude 12 ° 23′0''. Near by railway Stations are Bangarapet.

The 12th century Chola temple dedicated to Penneswara Nayanar (Lord Shiva) and his consort Sri Vedanayagi Amman.   The Penneswara Nayanar Shrine consists of a vimana, ardhamandapa and mukhamandapa. The vimana is a single tier structure with an adhishthana, pada, prastara, shikara, griva and stupi. The roofs of ardhamandapa and mukha mandapa are supported by vratta sthambas. The sanctum of the prime deity is facing east. The seven tier rajagopuram faces the south.

The vimana is surrounded by the cloister mandapa (thiruchurru malikai) with a row of pillars in the periphery. Subsidiary shrines for Vinayaka, Saptamatrikas, Surya and Chandra. The sanctum at the north-west corner of the temple houses the goddess Sri.Vedanayaki Amman. To the west there is a shrine for Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman.

The Penneswara Nayanar temple also owns Navagandam panels. The specialty of the temple is that there is a practice of navagandam. Navagandam is the practice of individuals slicing their neck with a sword to the goddess. The supreme sacrifice often committed Kottravai, the war deity, involves in chopping off nine parts of one’s own body progressively. The individual offers his life for the welfare of the ruler and success in battles he leads.

Krishnagiri Region 

The present Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri district was known as 'Adhiayaman Nadu'. It was ruled by  Pallavas, Gangas, Nulambas, Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijaya Nagar Emperors, Bijapur Sultans, Wudayars of Mysore and Nayaks of Madurai. The regions including  'Krishnagiri', 'Hosur' and 'Uthangarai' were forming part of 'Eyil Nadu', 'Murasu Nadu' and 'Kowoor Nadu' respectively. Under Chola rule, Krishnagiri region was known as 'Nigarili Chola Mandlam' and 'Vidhugadhazhagi Nallur'. During 'Nulamba' rule it was called as 'Nulambadi.'  The 'Bara Mahal' Forts and the Krishnagiri region served as the west gateway of Tamil Nadu and defended the invasions. The Hoysala king Vira Ramanatha made "Kundani" a place in Krishnagiri District as his Head Quarters in 13th Century A.D. 

Inscriptions     

Over forty inscriptions have been discovered from this temple complex. They belonged to the reign of Hoysala, Chola and Vijayanagara kings. They have gifted gold, tax free land and other gifts to Penneswara Nayanar of Penneswaram. The inscription of Vira Narasimha, the Hoysala King records the land donation to the Pannai Nayanar by one Madurantaka Viranulamban Vairavan Vimalan. The land records also mention about lands located in Peruman Koyil Kollai, Thattankuttai, Mahadevan Kollai, Sirukkan Kollai, Puliyamadai etc.

An inscription of Vira Ramanatha Devarisa found in Tamil Grantha script - Tamil language on the wall of the Penneswara Nayanar temple in , Penneswaramadam is of great significance. It records the royal order issued by the Hoysala ruler Vira Ramanatha, dated regnal year 46.

"ஸ்ரீ வீரராமந்நாத தேவரீஸர்க்கு யாண்டு நாற்பத்தொன்றாவது உடையார் பெண்ணையாண்டார் மடத்தி லும் பெண்ணை நாயனார் தேவதானமான ஊர்களிலும் ஒரு அதிகாரியாதல் கணக்கர் காரியஞ் செய்வார்களாதல் கூசராதல் ஆரேனுமொருவர் வந்து விட்டது விடாமல் சோறு வேண்டுதல் மற்றேதேனும் நலிவுகள் செய்குதல் செய்தாருண்டாகில் தாங்களே அவர்களைத் தலையைஅறுத்துவிடவும் அப்படி செய்திலர் களாதல் தங்கள் தலைகளோடே போமென்னும்படிறெயப்புத்த பண்ணி இதுவே சாதனமாகக் கொண்டு ஆங்கு வந்து நலிந்தவர் களைத் தாங்களே ஆஞ்ஞை பண்ணிக் கொள்ளவும் சீ காரியமாகத்தாங்க . . . த. . . போதும் போன அமுதுபடிக் குடலாக ஸர்வ மானிய மாகக் குடுத்தோம். அனைத் தாயமு விட்டுக்கு . . .கூசர் உள்ளிட்டார் பையூரிலே இருக்கவும் சொன்னோம். இப்படியாதே இதுக்கு விலங்கனம் பன்னினவன் கெங்கைக் கரையில் குராற் பசுவைக் கொன்றான் பாவத்தைக் கொள்வான்" 

Meaning: "The record is dated in the 49th year of king Sri Viraramanatha Devarisar. Anybody seeking cooked food or indulging in other corrupt practices in Pennaiyaandaar madam (பெண்ணையாண்டார் மடம்) and its endowed land (Pennai Nayanar devadanamana oorgalilum - பெண்ணை நாயனார் தேவதானமான ஊர்களிலும்) shall be beheaded, and any official like Kannakkar, Adhigaarigal (அதிகாரியாதல் கணக்கர் காரியஞ் செய்வார்களாதல்) refusing to act on this order will face a similar fate.”   Registers an endowment of  land (ஸர்வ மானிய மாகக் குடுத்தோம்) for feeding the poor mendicants (நலிந்தவர்கள்). The order was strictly enforced. Whenever one violates the natural moral order established by the king, one sins and incur the sin of killing cow (குராற் பசு) on the bank of river Ganges.

Savulur Panchayat Union Middle School students have discovered a pre-historic site near Penneswara Nayanar  temple during April 2015. They have also collected artefacts dating back to 2000 years from the site near the temple.

In the Vijayanagar period, Madras Port became a well known port. This is evident from a Vijayanagar inscription found in Penneswaramadam, on the banks of the Pennar, to the South of Kaveripattinam. The inscription is dated July 21, 1367. It is about the digging of a canal in the time of Kampanna II. “This king’s conquests and victories in Tamil territory are also recorded in this inscription, and the names of ports, forts and villages on the East Coast, which he captured from Tondaiman, give us clues about Maadarasanpattanam,” says Rajavelu.

History of Hoysalas

• Place        Karnataka
• Period        10th to 14th Century
• Language    Kannada
• Religion    Hindu
• Hoysala Kings: 1. Nripa Kama II (1000 to 1045 A.D.), 2. Hoysala Vinayaditya (1045 to 1098 A.D.), 3. Ereyanga (1098 to 1100 A.D.), 4. Veera Ballala I (1100 to 1108 A.D.), 5. Vishnuvardhana (1108 to 1142), 6. Narasimha I (1142 to 1173 A.D.), 7. Veera Ballala II (1173 to 1220 A.D.), 8. Vira Narasimha II (1220 to 1235 A.D.), 9. Vira Someshwara (1235 to 1253 A.D.),  10. Narasimha III and Vira Ramanatha (1253 to 1295) and 11.Veera Ballala III (1295 to 1342. A.D.).

The 346 year rule of the  Hoysala dynasty (1000 A.D. to 1346 A.D.) is looked at as the second most flourishing and mighty period in the Karnataka history next to the powerful Vijayanagara Empire. This South Indian Kannadiga empire ruled most of modern day state of Karnataka and Belur was their capital during initial 150 years and later moved to Halebid due to hostility and repeated invasions. Taking advantage of the warfare between the then Western Chalukyas and Kalachuri kingdoms, they also conquered the present day Karnataka and the fertile areas north of the Kaveri River delta of the present day Tamil Nadu. By 13th century, they governed most part of the of the present-day Karnataka, minor parts of Tamil Nadu and parts of western Andhra Pradesh in Deccan India. Narasimha II, the seventh Hoysala ruler conquered Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Naduto make it his winter capital. 

 

Vira Somesvara (1235 to 1253 A.D.), before his death bifurcated his kingdom between his two sons, Veera Narasimha and Vira Ramanatha. His sons, however, later fought a civil war. Vira Ramanatha confederated himself with Rajendra Chola Deva III. Both were later to be overpowered by Maravarman Kulasekara Pandiya, who impounded their territorial dominion. Vira Narasimha's successor was Ballala III aka Veera Vallalan, Emperor of the South (1291 - 1342 AD). Although still hostile, Ballala's succession was not disputed by Vira Ramanatha, thus Ballala was able to rule over a united Hoysala Kingdom until approximately by  1300 A.D.
Vira Ramanatha's accession to the Tamil districts took place about 1255 A.D. and his inscriptions of the 12th, 15th and in the 17th years, which correspond to 1267, 1270 and 1271 A.D. are found at Srirangam and Kannanur. The king attended to the checking of the revenue accounts in the 4th year of his reign; the communal repairs made to the Vanigan's well now known as Nalummulaikkeni at Tiruvellarai, whose walls it is stated, had sunk in on the four sides probably on account of heavy rains in the 8th year of the king, and exempted the tax on salt dealers at Tirumalavadi. He made to the temple of Sri Ranganatha at Srirangam, a gift of a gold crown set with jewels, two fly whisks with the handle of gold and a kalanji (betel pot). He was succeeded by his son Vira Viswanatha in 1293 - 94 A.D; after which the kingdom merged into then rising power of Vijayanagara Empire.  

These rulers were initially inspired by Jainism but from the Vishnuvardhana’s period onwards they were all Vaishnava Hindus and were great patrons of the temple architecture of Belur, Halebid and Somanathpura. The Hoysala dynasty is well remembered for the the hallmark of their temple architecture as well as for the exquisite workmanship on a massive scale in Belur, Halebid, Somanathapur, Arasikere and Amritapura in the Karnataka State and Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu.

Reference:

1. History of Krishnagiri District  http://www.krishnagiri.tn.nic.in/history.htm
2. Hoyala Dynasty. Indian Mirror.com  http://www.indianmirror.com/dynasty/hoysaladynasty.html
3. Madras is not alien by Suganthy Krishnamachary. The Hindu August 21, 2014
4. Perils of corruption: a note from Hoysala ruler by PV Srividya. The Hindu  October 11, 2014
5. லஞ்சம் வாங்கினாலும், கொடுத்தாலும் மரண தண்டனை விதித்த மன்னன்: 700 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முந்தைய கல்வெட்டில் தகவல். எஸ்.கே.ரமேஷ். தி இந்து அக்டோபர்  10, 2014

Rajaraja Chola I Inscription in Big Temple Thanjavur: Arithmetic of Banana Fruits Offerings to Vinayaka

Thanjavur Big Temple aka Rajarajesvaram. Ganesa Shrine @  South - West

Banana Fruit Offering to Vinayaka Shrine in Big Temple, Thanjavur

The Chola dynasty, one of the longest-ruling dynasties (850 -1250 AD) in Southern India,  built the temples over a period of nearly 200 years. The Brihadeeswarar Temple or Peruvudaiyar Kovil, also known as Rajarajeswaram, at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is not only the greatest glories of Chola architecture with its Dravidian style of temple, tall vimanam, finest sculptures, murals and carvings, but also a repository of the Imperium's records inscribed on the walls of the vimanam, pillars and podium. According to Dr. R. Nagaswamy, former Director, Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department, the Brihadeeswarar Temple 'is the only temple in the whole of India, wherein the builder himself has left behind a very large number of inscriptions on the temple's construction, its various parts, the daily rituals to be performed for the Linga, the details of the offerings such as jewellery, flowers and textiles, the special worship to be performed, the particular days on which they should be performed, the monthly and annual festivals, and so on.' There are inscriptions in this temple focusing on temple staff including drummers, flag and parasol bearers, torch bearers, tailors, surgeons, physicians etc, their qualifications, duties, responsibilities, tenure and terms of service. The temple also employed singers to recite the Tamil and Sanskrit hymns including Devaram (Pathiyam Paduvar) as well as 400 danseuses (Talipnedir) to dance during temple festival processions and daily pooja rituals.

The Imperium under Rajaraja Chola I had a 3-tiered administration system which provided enough decentralization without making for a weak Center. Their superior irrigation system is responsible for that region to be among the granaries of South India.  The Exchequer of Rajarajesvaramutaiyar was functioning like the Nationalized Banks in India. The emperor gave extensive grants to this temple. Let me quote the famous inscription of Thanjavur Big Temple:

நாம் கொடுத்தனவும் நம் அக்கன் கொடுத்தனவும் நம் பெண்டுகள் கொடுத்தனவும் கொடுப்பார் கொடுத்தனவும்...இந்தக் கல்லிலே வெட்டியருளுக என்று திருவாய்மொழிஞ்சருளி....."
‘Naam kuduthanavum nam akkaan kuduthanavum nam pendugal koduthanavum koduthar koduthanavum…inthak kallile vettiyaruluka enru thiruvoy mozhintharuli’

Meaning: Inscribe all the grants to the Big Temple on the wall of the Vimana of the prime deity including What I have contributed; What my elder sister has contributed; What my wives have contributed and Whatever person has contributed.

The site for building temple was gifted by the public from the town or village. The Chola king donated the agriculture land for the maintenance of the temple. Provisions such as rice, dal. ghee, salt, pepper, vegetables, betel leaves, areca nut etc, were accepted as gift from public.  The Chola temples served not only as places of worship but also as centers of public administration, judiciary and community welfare institutions and secular and cultural spaces authorized to handle public finance. They were also run as corporations. They were authorized issue land grants and empowered to invest their assets as they considered fit. They also functioned as banks and inscribed (recorded) the contributions and investments from the king and public. Temples also employed huge skilled manpower - artisans, padiyam (Devaram) reciters, musicians, dancers (devadasis) etc.  The sabhas or assemblies also provided free Vedic education, food, shelter and even medication to the upper caste boys within temple premises.

The inscriptions also tell about the two divisions of Thanjavur city: Ullalai (inner city) and Purambadi (city outskirts). Purambadi, built during the reign of Rajaraja I, could have been the outskirts of the proper city. The Tribhuvanamadeviyar big market and the big streets named after the titles of Rajaraja I, i.e, Virasola street, Nitta Vinoda street, Mummudichola street, Viraigamani street etc. A public hospital attached to a Vishnu temple named after Sundara Chola, called Sundarachola Vinnagara Salai, endowed by Kundavai, the sister of Rajaraja Chola, had existed. 

Vinayaka shrine is the subsidiary shrine located in the south west corner of the of the cloistered mandapa (திருச்சுற்று மாளிகை) in the Big temple. This Vinayaka idol belongs to Chola period and was consecrated by Rajaraja Chola I himself. There is another Ganesa shrine built in 1803 and consecrated by Maratha King Serfoji II.  The goddess shrine was added by the Pandyas during 13th century. The shrine of the Subramanya  was also added in the 17th century by Vijayanagara kings. 

 Rajaraja Chola I made many gold jewelry offerings including two bracelets ("பாகுவளையம்") to this Vinayaka. The Chola inscriptions call this Vinayagar shrineas "Parivaara aalayathup pillaiyar."  The inscription (South Indian Inscriptions Vol II, p.150.) of Rajaraja Chola I, inscribed  on the external front wall of the Vinayakar shrine, dictates the offering of 150 banana fruits daily as donation for preparation of banana amuthu (வாழைப்பழ அமுது) for the pooja rituals of  'Sri Rajaraja Thevar Temple Pillaiyar Ganapathiyar' (ஸ்ரீ ராஜராஜ தேவர் ஆலயத்துப் பிள்ளையார் கணபதியார்). For the uninterrupted provision of banana fruits in specified number, Rajaraja Chola I opened a customized recurring deposit ( ‘வைப்புக்கணக்கை’) account  in the names of merchants (‘நகரத்தார்’) belonging to four different streets located in the Thanjavur outskirts (தஞ்சாவூர்ப் புறம்படி) at Thanjavur, (a city) in Thanjavur –kurram (தஞ்சாவூர்க் கூற்றம்), (a subdivision) of Pandyakulasani-Valanadu. According to this scheme, the merchants four streets shall remit 360 kasus (Chola coin currency) as recurring deposit.  1.  60 kasus by merchants of Nitta Vinoda Street ; 2. 120 kasus by merchants of Mummudi Chola Street ; 3. 120 kasus by merchants of Virasigamani Street  and 4. 60 kasus by merchants of Tiribhuvana Maadevi Big Bazaar) total 360 kasus. The Annual Interest of 45 kasus at the rate of 12.5 %, accrued on this recurring deposit, shall be used for purchase and supply 150 banana fruits per day for daily offerings to 'Sri Rajaraja Thevar Temple Pillaiyar Ganapathiyar' (ஸ்ரீ ராஜராஜ தேவர் ஆலயத்துப் பிள்ளையார் கணபதியார்).

How the Chola emperor calculated the number of banana fruits requirement as 150 per day? The arithmetic is tricky. For one coin 1200 banana fruits can be purchased (!). From 45 kaus i.e, the interest accrued for one year 1200 x 45 = 54000 (fifty four thousand only) banana fruits can be purchased. If the dividend of 54000 fruits (annual requirement)  divided by the divisor 150 (daily requirement), the quotient will be 360 with nil remainder. As per Chola calendar system an year comprise only 360 days.

Kasus 45 x 1200 = 54000 banana fruits  

banana fruits 54000 / 150 = 360 Days 

Table 1: Deposits received from Streets; Amount as Deposit; Interest Rate; One Year Interest and No. of Banana fruits required per Day 

No	Street	Deposit in Kasu	Interest Rate (Kasu)	1 Yr Interest	Bananas / Day
1	Nitta Vinoda Street	60	1/8	7 1/2	25 Nos
2	Mummudi Chola Street	120	1/8	15	50 Nos
3	Virasigamani Street	120	1/8	15	50 Nos
4	Tiribhuvana Maadevi Bazaar	60	1/8	7 1/2	25 Nos
		360		45 Kasu	150 Nos

At present inflation is showing no sign of easing. It is not only the seasonal vegetables that are escalating in price but also the basic vegetable like  onion and tomato prices have shot through the roof in the Indian metros. The Indian onion crisis of 2015 describes the dramatic rise in the cost of onions across markets in India. The crisis was caused by errant rainfall in the onion producing regions which led to a shortage of onion production. Similarly winter fruits like apple, pomegranate, guavas, and grapes are selling at higher prices.

During Imperial Chola rule the price of banana fruit remained constant over a period of time i.e, there was inflation or devaluation of money. How it was possible for Rajaraja Chola I to contain the commodities price?

The Big Temple aka Rajarajesvaram also functioned like the 'exchequer' during Chola period. It was known as 'Exchequer of Rajarajesvaramutaiyar' (‘ராஜராஜேஸ்வரமுடையார் பெரும்பண்டாரம்’) and the total revenue of Rajarajesvaram was unified under this head. It also remained as the center of the Chola administration for many years, channeling the state revenue into a number of civic projects. If the gifts in coins (காசுக்கொடை), the interest  amount realized was mentioned as polisai kasu (பொலிசை காசு). The capital investment received to this exchequer was again disbursed to merchants and village sabhas on loan. An interest of 1/8 coin i.e, 12.5 per cent, was levied as interest for every coin. The Chola inscriptions indicate such interest as 'Polisai' (பொலிசை) or Polisai Interest (‘பொலிசை வட்டி’).

Gold gifts expressed in weighing units such as Kalanju. Kundrimani (Abrus precatorius) and  Manjadi (Adenanthera pavonina) are very consistent in weight. Ancient Tamils  was used both the seeds as units of weight to weigh gold using a measure called kunrimani seed (0.133 gm) and manjadi seed (approximately 0.266 gm). Twenty manjadis or  forty kundrimanis made one Kalanju (5.320 gms or approximately 1.5 sovereign). Thirty manjadis or sixty kundrimanis made one sovereign or poun weighing 7.98 gm.  

They issued 3 types of coins over 12 centuries ago. Kalanju was the currency prevalent in the Chola kingdom. One kasu would correspond to the value of 24 kuruni (one kuruni = 8 kg; 24 x 8 = 192 kg) or 2 kalam (one kalam = 91 kg) of paddy.  T.Desikachari in his book 'South Indian Coins' provides details about Chola coins. 'Chola inscriptions constantly refer to the Madurantaka Madai as a coin with reference to which the fitness and weight of other coins in gold had to be tested. The madai was probably equal to a Kalanju while the panam was equal to a Manjadi. The Rajarajan kasu mentioned in the Chola inscriptions of Tanjore seems to be varied from 3/4 to 15/16 of a Kalanju.... 'Pon' and 'Kasu' are likewise used for gold coins in the Chola period.' 

Inscription in Tamil Script

“ஸ்வாதிஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ உடையார் ஸ்ரீ ராஜராஜ தேவர் ஆலயத்துப் பிள்ளையார் கணபதியார்க்கு வாழைப்பழம் அமுது செய்தருள உடையார் பண்டாரத்துப் பொலிசையூட்டுக்கு வைத்தருளின காசும் இக்காசு பொலிசையூட்டுக்கு கொண்ட அங்காடிகளும் கல்லில் வெட்டியது.

Hail! Prosperity! There was engraved on stone  the money, which the lord Sri-Rarajadeva had been pleased to deposit in the treasury of the lord, to be put out to interest (for supplying) plantains, to be offered to (the image of) Pillaiyar Ganapati in the (surrounding) hall (alaya), and the markets, which had received this money on interest.

ஆலயத்துப் பிள்ளையார் கணபதியார்க்கு அமுது செய்தருள நிசதம் வாழைப்பழம் நூற்றைம்பதாக ஒராட்டைக்கு வந்த வாழைப்பழம் ஐம்பத்து நாலாயிரத்துக்கு காசு ஒன்றுக்கு வாழைப்பழம் ஆயிரத்திருநூறாக வந்த காசு நாற்பத்து ஐஞ்சுக்கு காசு ஒன்றுக்கு ஆட்டை வட்டம் அரைகாற் காசு பொலிசையூட்டாக  செல்லவைத்த காசு முன்னூற்று அறுபது

Three hundred and sixty kasu were deposited (under the condition) that, as long as the moon and the sun endure, an interest of one eighth kasu per year should be paid for each kasu, in order to realize forty-five kasu for (purchasing), — at the rate of one thousand and two hundred plantains for each kasu, — fifty-four thousand platains per year, viz., one hundred and fifty plantains per day, to be offered to (the image of) Pillaiyar Ganapati in the (surrounding) hall.

இக்காசில் தஞ்சாவூர்க் கூற்றத்து தஞ்சாவூர்ப் புறம்படி நித்த விநோதகப் பெருந்தெருவில் நகரத்தார் உடையார் ஸ்ரீ ராஜ ராஜ தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு இருபத்தொன்பதாவது பசான் முதல் கொண்ட காசு அறுபதினாற் காசு ஒன்றுக்கு ஆட்டை வட்டம் அரைக்காற் காசு பொலிசையாகக் கடவ பொலிசைக் காசு ஏழரைக்கு  உடையார் பண்டாரத்தே நிசதம் இடக்கடவ வாழைப்பழம் இருபத்தைஞ்சு

The citizens of the high-street (perunderu) (called after) Nittavinoda within the limits of Tanjavur, (a city) in Tanjavur-kurram, have to supply every day, as long as the moon and the sun endure, twenty-five plantains to the treasury of the lord in payment of the interest, — which amounts to seven and a half kasu (per year), — on the sixty kasu, which they have received out of this money after (the harvest of) the pasan in the twenty-ninth year (of the reign) of the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva, — the rate of interest being one eighth kasu per year for each kasu.

தஞ்சாவூர்க் கூற்றத்து தஞ்சாவூர்ப் புறம்படி மும்முடிச் சோழப் பெருந்தெருவில் நகரத்தார் உடையார் ஸ்ரீ ராஜ ராஜ தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு இருபத்தொன்பதாவது பசான் முதல் கொண்ட காசு நூற்றிரு பதினாற் காசு ஒன்றுக்கு ஆட்டை வட்டம் அரைக்காற் காசு பொலிசையாகக் கடவ பொலிசைக் காசு பதினைஞ்சுக்கு  உடையார் பண்டாரத்தே நிசதம் இடக்கடவ வாழைப்பழம் ஐம்பது

The citizens of the high-street (called after) Mummudi-Sora within the limits of Tanjavur, (a city) in Tanjavur-kurram, have to supply every day, as long as the moon and the sun endure, fifty plantains to the treasury of the lord in payment of the interest, which amounts to fifteen kasu (per year), — on the one hundred and twenty kasu, which they have received after (the harvest of) the pasan in the twenty-ninth year (of the reign) of the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva, — the rate of interest being one eighth kasu per year for each kasu.

தஞ்சாவூர்க் கூற்றத்து தஞ்சாவூர்ப் புறம்படி வீரசிகாமனிப் பெருந்தெருவில் நகரத்தார் உடையார் ஸ்ரீ ராஜ ராஜ தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு இருபத்தொன்பதாவது பசான் முதல் கொண்ட காசு நூற்றிரு பதினால் காசு ஒன்றுக்கு ஆட்டை வட்டம் அரைக்காற் காசு பொலிசையூட்டாக ஆட்டை வட்டம் அரைக்காற் காசு பொலிசையாகக் கடவ பொலிசைக் காசு பதினைஞ்சுக்கு  உடையார் பண்டாரத்தே நிசதம் இடக்கடவ வாழைப்பழம் ஐம்பது

The citizens of the high-street (called after) Virasikhamani within the limits of Tanjavur, (a city) in Tanjavur-kurram, have to supply every day, as long as the moon and the sun endure, fifty plantains to the treasury of the lord in payment of the interest, which amounts to fifteen kasu (per year), — on the one hundred and twenty kasu, which they have received after (the harvest of) the pasan in the twenty-ninth year (of the reign) of the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva, — the rate of interest being one eighth kasu per year for each kasu.

தஞ்சாவூர்க் கூற்றத்து தஞ்சாவூர்ப் புறம்படி திரிபுவன மாதவிப் பேரங்காடி நகரத்தார் உடையார் ஸ்ரீ ராஜ ராஜ தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு இருபத்தொன்பதாவது பசான் முதல் கொண்ட காசு அறுபதினாற் காசு ஒன்றுக்கு ஆட்டை வட்டம் அரைக்காற் காசு பொலிசையாகக் கடவ பொலிசைக் காசு ஏழரைக்கு  உடையார் பண்டாரத்தே நிசதம் இடக்கடவ வாழைப்பழம் இருபத்தைஞ்சு”

The citizens of the great market (per-angadi) (called after) Tribhuvanamahadevi within the limits of Tanjavur, (a city) in Tanjavur-kurram, have to supply every day, as long as the moon and the sun endure, twenty-five plantains to the treasury of the lord in payment of the interest, — which amounts to seven and a half kasu (per year), — on the sixty kasu, which they have received after (the harvest of) the pasan in the twenty-ninth year (of the reign) of the lord Sri-Rajarajadeva, — the rate of interest being one eighth kasu per year for each kasu.

Reference

1. Desikachari, T. South Indian Coins. Asian Educational Services. New Delhi. 1991. 231 pages
2. Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்) Fact File Know Your Heritage. Blogspot. Wednesday, July 30, 2014
3. South Indian inscriptions Vol II page 150, Edn 1892 – 1983 ASI Navrang Pub – Prof E. Hultzsch
4. இராஜராஜன் வழிபட்ட பிள்ளையார். டாக்டர். இரா. நாகசாமி.  
5. தஞ்சைப் பெரிய கோயில்: ஆயிரம் ஆண்டு அற்புதம். தஞ்சை வெ. கோபாலன். தி இந்து (தமிழ்) செப் 25, 2010

 

Inscriptions of Madras: Francis Whyte Ellis - English Civil Servant's Tamil Inscription

The plaque of FW Ellis held at Thirumalai Nayakar Museum at Madurai

FW Ellis made the die block  showing the figure of Thiruvalluvar for minting the East India company coin from the Madras mint. The die block was published by Iravatham Mahadevan.

Francis Whyte Ellis (1777–1819) aka. 'Ellis Durai',  a British civil servant in the Madras Presidency and a scholar of Tamil and Sanskrit, was the first scholar to recognize the Dravidian languages as a separate language family. This Englishman is being considered as great Tamil scholar for his contribution in 'Tamil Prose' writing. 

Life of FW Ellis

Ellis was recruited as a writer East India Company's service at Madras in 1796. The civil servant was elevated to hiher posts in the Board of Revenue i.e, offices of assistant-under secretary in 1798,  deputy-secretary in 1801, Secretary in 1802, judge of the zillah of Machilipatnam in 1806, Collector of Land Customs in 1809 and finally the Collector of Madras in 1810. He died at the age of 41 Ramnad of cholera on 10 March 1819.

The Dravidian Proof

In 1816 his groundbreaking conceptualization of the Dravidian language family of South India known as the “Dravidian proof.” Ellis' Dravidian Proof is a step by step attempt to establish  that the languages of South India are related to one another but are not derived from Sanskrit. These concepts are valid still today, even after centuries later.

College of Fort St. George and College Press

Ellis,  a Member in Madras Literary Society was responsible for founding the College of Fort St. George in 1812 at Madras with Britishers and Indians as registered members. In 1813 he was also  instrumental in setting up of the College Press with a printing press and Tamil type faces. 

The press first published its Tamil book by Constanzo Beschi's (Veeramamunivar) Tamil grammar "Kodum Tamil" in 1813. It also brought out two Tamil books by Chitthambala Desikar -  'Tamil grammar primer Ilakkana surukkam'  and 'Tamil translation of Uttara Kandam of Ramayana.' Ellis' published works include 'Thirukkural: Translation and Commentary' and five Telugu works including Campbell's grammar. The press also continued to publish books in Kannada, Malayalam and Arabic till 1830s.

Tamil as Language for Administration

 As chairman of the committee, Ellis insisted the necessity to learn the basic structure of the South Indian languages by the civil service officers for effective functioning of duties in South Indian villages and towns. He has also taken note of the 'common features of five South Indian "dialects" - High Tamil, Low Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada and recommended the teaching of Tamil as a representative of all five.' He also made assigned the College of Fort St. George as well as its press to prepare grammer and some other text books for the 'Language training'.

Thomas R. Trautmann, Marshall Sahlins Professor of History and Anthropology at the University of Michigan, United States and the editor of the journal Comparative Studies in Society and History, was influenced by A.L. Basham and showed interest in Indian studies. Trautmann after publishing three books - Kautilya and the Arthasastra (1971), Dravidian Kinship (1982) and  Invention of Kinship (1985), came to Chennai  on August 19, xxxx to launch another book. He also gave a talk on F.W.Ellis at  Roja Muthiah Research Library (RMRL), Taramani, Chennai and also interacted with Theodore Baskaran, a historian from Chennai.

Thomas R. Trautmann also rediscovered the stone slab with Tamil Inscription by F.W.Ellis. The colonial administration has dug twenty seven wells in 1818 as per the orders of Ellis, then Madras Collector to quench severe drinking water shortage in Madras. Periya Palayathamman temple at Royapettai, Madras being one of these twenty seven wells. Ellis' long inscription appreciated Thiruvalluvar and quoted one of his Thirukural couplet to justify the steps initiated during drought. The Poetical Tamil inscription composed in Asiriyapaa meter is shown below:

எல்லீசன் கல்வெட்டு

சயங்கொண்ட தொண்டிய சாணுறு நாடெனும்

ஆழியில் இழைத்த வழகுறு மாமணி

குணகடன் முதலாக குட கடலளவு

நெடுநிலம் தாழ நிமிர்ந்திடு சென்னப்

பட்டணத்து எல்லீசன் என்பவன் யானே

பண்டாரகாரிய பாரம் சுமக்கையில்

புலவர்கள் பெருமான் மயிலையம் பதியான்

தெய்வப் புலமைத் திருவள்ளுவனார்

திருக்குறள் தன்னில் திருவுளம் பற்றிய்

இருபுனலும் வாய்த்த மலையும் வருபுனலும்
வல்லரணும் நாட்டிற் குறுப்பு

என்பதின் பொருளை என்னுள் ஆய்ந்து

ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ சாலிவாகன சகாப்த வரு

..றாச் செல்லா நின்ற

இங்கிலிசு வரு 1818ம் ஆண்டில்

பிரபவாதி வருக்கு மேற் செல்லா நின்ற

பஹுதான்ய வரு த்தில் வார திதி

நக்ஷத்திர யோக கரணம் பார்த்து

சுப திநத்தி லிதனோ டிருபத்தேழு

துரவு கண்டு புண்ணியாஹவாசநம்

பண்ணுவித்தேன்

Elleeson Inscriptions

It is me, Elleesan (எல்லீசன்) the resident of city of Chennai Pattinam (Chennai city's colonial name), a part of Jayamkonda Thondiya (Thondai) Naadu (1), the beautiful piece of land, amidst ocean bounded by Western Ghats Hills  (குணகடன்) in the west and eastern (Bay of Bengal) ocean (குட கடலளவு) looking the like sparkling jewels; and while carrying my official duties of Mint Superviser (Employed in the Colonial Madras, Madras Presidency), I got totally absorbed by the real meaning of the classic of couplets or Thirukural composed by Thiruvalluvar (Tamil: திருவள்ளுவர்), a celebrated "Poet's Poet" (புலவர்கள் பெருமான்) aka. Divine Poet (தெய்வப் புலமை) from Mylapore (மயிலையம் பதியான்):

3. Essentials of a State (அங்கவியல்): Chapter 74 The Land (நாடு) - குறள் எண் 737.

Waters from rain and springs, a mountain near and waters thence;

Thee make a land, with fortress' sure defence - The-Sacred Kural by Rev G U Pope

 "இருபுனலும் வாய்ந்த மலையும் வருபுனலும்
வல்லரணும் நாட்டிற் குறுப்பு" - திருக்குறள்

தமிழ் விளக்கம்:

ஆறு, கடல் எனும் இருபுனலும், வளர்ந்தோங்கி நீண்டமைந்த மலைத் தொடரும், வருபுனலாம் மழையும், வலிமைமிகு அரணும், ஒரு நாட்டின் சிறந்த உறுப்புகளாகும்.

I have commissioned 27 wells on an auspicious day confirming beneficial Varam (Solar day), Tithi (Lunar day), Nakshatra (Star Constellation), Yogam (Star and Weekday combination) and Karanam (Half of the part of Tithi) according to Hindu almanac (Panchang); during the English Calendar year 1816; the equivalent Shalivahana calendar year (aka. Saka year) being  1740; and the equivalent Tamil calendar year being  Vehudhanya (வெகுதானிய), the 12th year of  60 years cycle followed in Tamil Calendar system.

1. Jayamkonda Thondiya Naadu: Thondai means very ancient long time back. Naadu means province. Tondai Naadu was an ancient (historical) region of Tamil country located in the northernmost part of Tamil Nadu. The province included traditional Pallava kingdom comprising roughly the present districts of Kancheepuram, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore and Tiruvannamalai. The capital of Thondai Naadu was Kancheepuram.  It was captured by the second Chola monarch, Aditya (r. ca. 871-907). he defeated the armies of the Pallavas of Kanchipuram and claimed all of Tondai Nadu as Chola territory. Therefore the region was known as Jeyamkonda Thondai Nadu)

His tomb at Dindugul bears the following Tamil poems:

'திருவள்ளுவப் பெயர்த் தெய்வம் செப்பிய 
அருங்குறள் நூலுள் அறப்பா லினுக்குத்
தங்குபல நூலுதா ரணங்களைப் பெய்து
இங்கிலீசு தன்னில் இணங்க மொழிபெயர்த்தோன்'.

Meaning: Of the three sections of Thirukural composed by godly poet Thiruvalluvar, I, F.W.Ellis, have translated the first section Righteousness (அறத்துப்பால்) in English after confirming several reference texts.

Reference

1. Francis Whyte Ellis Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Whyte_Ellis
2. Mahadevan, Iravatham. "The Golden coin depicting Thiruvalluvar -2". Varalaaru.com (in Tamil)
3. Venkatachalapathy, A. R. "A Scholar called Ellis". Kalachuvadu Magazine (in Tamil`).