Valantaravai inscription
Valantaravai inscription (c.13th century AD) is a medieval merchant guild inscription discovered from near Valantaravai, Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu in southern India.[1][2] The epigraph is one of the rare records mentioning early Jewish, Christian and Muslim presence in southern India.[3][1] It dates to the period of ascendancy of the Ainnutruvar or Ayyavole Five Hundred merchant guild in south India (incorporating manigramam and anjuvannam).[4]
The record is inscribed on the four sides of a stone pillar (3 feet long and one foot wide) in Tamil language (21+14+15+[...]). The characters on the last side are illegible.[1] The inscription (undated) can be paleographically dated to c. 1200-1250 AD.[1] The stone pillar was originally situated on the Periyapattinam beach.[2]
The inscription begins with the traditional invocation 'Swasti Sri' ('Hail Prosperity').[1] It mentions details of the land donated to certain 'Cutapalli' alias 'Ainnutruvar Perumpalli' (the 'Jewish Synagogue' alias 'the Great Synagogue of the Ainnutruvar Merchant Guild').[1]
- On the eastern border of the donated plot, 'Valaiceri' and the 'Mutukku Vali' are located.[1]
- On the southern border of the donated plot, the 'garden lands' of Tirumutuccolacilai Cettiyar, 'Patinenpumi' (the Eighteen Countries) Ceyapalan and Kuttan Tevanar are located.[1]
- On the western border of the donated plot, 'Nalunattani' (the Nanadesi) Conaccanti, Sri-cola-perunteru (street), wall or matil of the tarisapalli (the Christian church), the pilarppalli (the Muslim mosque[3][5]), and the southern wall of the tarisapalli are located.[1]
The record was discovered by P. Satish, analysed by V. Rajaguru, president, Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation,[1] and deciphered by epigraphist S. Rajagopal.[2] The stones from the Periyapattinam beach were brought to Valantaravai in the 1940s to construct sidewall of a well.[2] The stone was being used for washing cloths at the time of the discovery (2022).[2]
An undated Hebrew language inscription was previously found on a gravestone of certain Mariam, daughter of David, at Periyapattinam.[1] The record also contained a prayer for the peace of the soul. The slab was later moved to the office of the Samsthanam Revenue officer, Ramnad.[6] A donative record of Maravarma Sundara Pandya to the pilarpalli or the Periyapattinam Jalal Jamal Mosque can be found at the Thirupullani Temple.[7]
See also[edit]
- Jewish copper plates of Cochin (11th century)
- Viraraghava copper plates of Cochin (13th century)
- Quilon Syrian copper plates (9th century)
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Stone Pillar with Inscription on Jewish Trade Links Found Near Ramanathapuram". The New Indian Express. 13 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Sivarajah, Padmini (13 July 2022). "Stone Inscription of Oldest Synagogue in Tamil Nadu Found". The Times of India.
- ^ a b Reich, Aaron (14 July 2022). "Stone in Tamil Nadu May Shed Light on India's Oldest Synagogue, Jews". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Subbarayalu, Y. (2015). "Trade Guilds of South India up to the Tenth Century". Studies in People's History. 2 (1): 24–25.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu Discovers One Of Oldest Synagogue". Outlook Magazine. 15 July 2022.
- ^ Chhabra, B. C. (ed.). "Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy". 1946–47. Department of Archaeology: 16–17.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Rafi, S. Muhammad (12 July 2022). "Rāmanātapuram Arukē Kaṇṭeṭukkappaṭṭa 13-m Nūṟṟāṇṭu Kalveṭṭil Takaval". The Hindu.