Monday, October 13, 2014

Thirakoil Digambar Jain Temple and Hill

Jinagiri Palli (Thirakoil)
Chandranathar (8th Tirthankarar)
Jinagiri Palli (Thirakoil)
Parsvanathar the 23rd tirthankarar
Mahavir, the twenty-fourth tīrthaṅkarar
Foot-hill Temple Dedicated to Adhinathar with sanctum, antarala, ardhamantapam and mahamandapam, built after 'Jinagiri Palli' i.e, around 11th century AD. and the mahamandapam around 13th century AD.

Digambara Jain temple devoted Lord Adhinathar on top of Thirakoil hillock known as Mai Siddhappalli or Siddhaperumpalli.
Bas-relief image of Adhinathar measuring about 3 feet in height appear on one of the boulders located at the southern side of the foothills.
Our team of five members decided to explore Jain monuments in Tiruvannamalai district from dawn to dusk on Sunday, 1st September 2014. Ramesh Muthian, Jeyaganthan and me assembled at a point and Devanathan Kannan was ready with his car by 05.30 am. We proceeded to Utharamerur and picked Sashi Dharan. Sashi Dharan desired to visit Kundhavai Jinalayam, Tirumalai village  near Polur and we proceeded to Vandhvasi and from there  we decided to  stop wherever a Jain monument appear.

The natural caverns, found in many hilly terrains of Tamil Nadu, served as Jain abodes.  More than one hundred Jain abodes have been identified archaeologists amidst rocky mounds and hillocks in Madurai, Pudukkottai, Periyar, Trichy, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Kanchipuram, Villupuram districts.  Jain abodes at natural cavern bear the earliest Brahmi incriptions dating back from 2nd century BC to 3rd or 4th century AD communicating the early spread of Jainism in Tamil Nadu.

Tiruvannamalai district has seven taluks - Arani, Chengam, Cheyyar, Polur, Thandarampattu, Tiruvannamalai and Vandhavasi. Except Chengam and Thandarampattu, the other taluks are historically huge Jain region with plenty of Jain monuments as old as 5th century CE showing Jain sculptures, Jain paintings and Jain Beds in caverns everywhere. But they do not posses Brahmi inscriptions. The Jain monks resolved to spend their lives in splendid isolation, engaging themselves in contemplation and religious pursuits. The Pallava and Chola monarchs have inscribed their 'Pallichandham' endowments, land and other grants, gifts etc, to these Jain shrines.

Our first stop was Thirakoil (Tamil: திறக்கோயில்) in the Vandavasi taluk, Tiruvannamalai district. This 8th Century AD Digambar Jain Temple and Hill devoted to Adhinathar (Rishabhanathar), the first Jain Tirthankar or or "ford-maker" forms one of the important Jain Tirth (pilgrimage) centers of Tamil Nadu.

Though there are number of Jain caves all over Thiruvannamalai district, not many are well known to the heritage lovers. Thirakoil is a "must go place" if you like Jain heritage and architecture. Better to visit with friends or family and needs to accompany with a person knowledgeable about the district and heritage destinations.  

Thirakoil, the tiny village is located one kilometer away from the Mazhaiyur - Desur - Thirakoil Road junction and can be reached here through private buses either from Desur or Kilputhur. The picturesque Thirakoil hillock and the scattered boulders runs through the village from north to north-east direction. Three modest, naturally formed caves in the hill were utilized as peaceful Jain Abodes (சமண பள்ளி) during 8th Century AD i.e, Pallava era. Now they are the old relics of the once flourishing Jainism in Tamil Nadu.

There are two ancient Digambar Jain Temples at Thirakoil Jain Temple complex. The most ancient among the two is the small square shaped ‘Adhinathar Shrine'  located on top of the Thirakoil hillock  and the second one is ‘Adhinathar Shrine’ at the foothills which came after one hundred years or so. The entire Thirakoil Jain Temple complex is protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).


To the south of the Thirakoil hillock and near to the entrance of the Thirakoil Temple complex lies 'Jinagiri Palli' (ஜினகிரி பள்ளி) the globular rock bearing the sculptures of four Jain tirthankars. ASI has enclosed this historical rock within iron grills.

1. Adhinathar aka. Rishabanathar first thirthakara appear seated in padmasana (lotus posture) in dhyana mudra (meditation) on a lion throne. Above him are Prabha-chakra (Divine Aura)  and triple umbrella. On his two sides are figures of chauri (whisk) bearers. The image faces east.

2. Mahavirar 24th thirthakara appear seated in padmasana (lotus posture) in dhyana mudra (meditation) on a lion throne.  Above him are Prabha-chakra (Divine Aura)  and triple umbrella.  On his two sides are figures of chauri (whisk) bearers. The image faces east. There is a niche for lighting oil lamp.

3. Parsvanathar 23rd thirthakara standing on lotus flower with five -hooded serpent canopy above his head. Around his shoulder level Kamada preparing to attack the saint with  stone. The  image of the Yaksha Dharanendra kneeling down before the Lord and the image of Yakshi Padmavati keep spreading the umbrella and protecting the Lord from Kamadan's attack.

4. Chandranathar aka C handraprabhar  appear seated in padmasana (lotus posture) in dhyana mudra (meditation) on a lion throne.  Above him are Prabha-chakra (Divine Aura)  and triple umbrella.  On his two sides are figures of chauri (whisk) bearers. The lotus pedestal bears crescent moon emblem.  The image faces north and receives the pilgrims at the entrance.
 

Three natural caverns mentioned above are located on the eastern and western sides of the hillock. At these natural caves number of Jain monks formed "Jain Muni Sangh" (Union of Jain monks) and observed meditation, practiced for self-recognition and purification.
 
The inscriptions at Jinagiri Palli address this place as Mai Siddhappalli ( .........மை சித்தப் பள்ளி). Since the first nine characters of the Tamil word group cannot be deciphered, the epigraphists read it as Mai Siddhappalli ( .........மை சித்தப் பள்ளி) and this name was coined by the scholars to address this temple. The word 'palli' (பள்ளி) has a strong association with Jainism and the ascetics used to call their education centre as 'palli'.

The Parakesarivarman Chola inscription (ARE  277 of 1916) is seen nearer to Adhinathar sculpture (on Jinagiri rock) speaks about the gift of sheeps made by Eranandhi for burning perpetual lamp in Thandapuram Jinapalli (தண்டாபுரம் ஜீனப்பள்ளி). The ancient name of this Jain temple was Thandapuram Jinapalli.

The Rajaraja Chola I's inscription located near Parsvanathar sculpture (on Jinagiri rock) dated 1007 AD. (ARE 277 of 1916) bears the name of this hill temple as 'Gangasoora perumpalli' (கங்கசூர பெரும்பள்ளி) located in Rajakesaripuram (இராசகேசரிபுரம்) - the other name of Thirakoil. In spoken language this temple is also known as Kangaraiyan Palli (கங்கரையன் பள்ளி).

Another Parakesarivarman Chola's inscription (ARE  279 of 1916)  nearer to Adhinathar sculpture informs about the gift of paddy by Kanakavirasithadikal to the temple. There is one more inscription (ARE 278 of 1916) not readable fully - (on the western side of the Jinagiri rock) brings out the gift of gold for burning perpetual lamp.

A flight of narrow steps (carved on the highly sloping rock) leads to the top of the hill. The climb atop the hill is tremendous fun; and a bit taxing on your breathing rhythm. The view from the top is awesome.

The inscriptions indicate that this Digambara Jain temple devoted Lord Adhinathar on top of Thirakoil hillock as Mai Siddhappalli or Siddhaperumpalli. The present temple structure was constructed quite recently on the vestiges of the ancient hill temple. The shrine has sanctum, antarala, ardhamandapam, and mukhamandapam. The two pilasters standing between the ardhamandapam and mukha mandapam have the Pallava style Pothikai (cornice) on top. The previous rectangular shaped ancient brick structure would have constructed during 6th century AD. The sanctum and shikara got dilapidated over a period of time.  The bricks used appear in unusual in size (L 26 cm x W 16 cm x H 7 cm).  The vestiges of perimeter wall around the hill temple could be noted even now.

The idol of Lord Adhinathar, the prime deity got broken into three pieces. Now this sculpture is displayed in the Government Egmore Museum, Chennai. They have replaced the broken idol with new one from the foothills temple. This 3 feet tall and proportinally narrow idol, without the identification symbol of Tithankara kept at ardhamandapam, is considered as the most ancient among the idols worshiped in this temple. The wide triple parasol or umbrella above the head and the thick band of divine halo  behind Him indicate the age of the idol. The stout hands and short ear lobes (not touching the shoulders) designate the idol to 7th century AD.

At the foothills there is Adhinathar temple with sanctum, antarala, ardhamantapam and mahamandapam, built after 'Jinagiri Palli' i.e, around 11th century AD. and the mahamandapam around 13th century AD. The vratta sthamba (rounded pillars) are seen both in the ardhamandapam and mahamandapam. The 13th century inscription on this pillar speaks about Idaiyaran Atkondan of Devapuram and his gift of rounded pillars to the temple.  The three feet high idol of the prime deity Adhinathar (in seated posture) with damaged nose is kept at mahamandapam. The present idol of  Lord Adhinathar, the prime deity is sculpted with white marble. The sculpture depicts him seated on the lions throne in the lotus position or kayotsarga.

There is an awesome bas-relief of Adhinathar measuring about 4 feet in height appear on one of the boulders located at the southern side of the foothills. It reminds the sculpture at Madurai Pechipallam.



How to get there

The Jain abode is located 15 km southwest оf Vandavasi, 7 km frоm Ponnur Kundkundar Philosophical Center. Only private buses and taxis are available from Desur or Kilputhur. Bus commuters to walk approximately one kilometer from main road to reach Thirakoil.

Nearby Jain Temples:
Desur: Shri 1008 Atheeswarar Jinalayam, a three-centuries old ancient temple. Lord Adeeswarar (Virushabanath) – the first theerthankara – as main deity.
Ponnur Hills: Ponnur Hills, which is famous for Acharya Kund Kund, is 8 km from here.
Thirakoil: Thirakoil, a historic cave temple, is 3 km from here.
Mel Sithamur: Mel Sithamur, a primary religious center for Tamil Jains with temples of Lord Parswanath and Mallinath, is 38 km from here.
Thirumalai: Thirumalai, with a Jain math and unique cave temples, is about 50 km from here.

Youtube
Jinagiri Palli (Jain Abode) at Thirakoil, Tamil Nadu, India by R Muthusamy 

Thirakoil Jain Heritage Site of 8th Century CE

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Virinchipuram Temple Inscription: Say No to Dowry by Brahmins of Padaividu kingdom


Marriage Ceremony

Virinchipuram Maragathambihai samedha Margabandheeswarar temple near Vellore, Tamil Nadu
Beautifully sculpted Mandapam at Virinchipuram Maragathambihai samedha Margabandheeswarar temple
 A Tamil Inscription from Margabandeswarar Temple in Virinchipuram offers some respite for DOWRY, THE SOCIAL CURSE that has vexed Brahman community during the reign Devaraya II (reigned 1432–46), Vijayanagara emperor.

Agreement against Dowry by Brahmanas of the kingdom of Padaividu

This inscription refers to the Brahmana Dharma (Sacred Law of Brahmans) and specific reference to the Brahmanas of the kingdom of Padaividu (town of  Padavedu - previously known as Padaividu - now in the Polur Taluk, Thiruvannamalai district) including Karnataka, Tamil, Telugu and Lata (the old name of Gujarat) Brahmanas. An agreement, signed by the representatives of Brahmanas of the kingdom of Padaividu , vouch to conduct marriages in their families as mere 'Kanyadhana.' - the part of the marriage ceremony where the bride's father only gives away the bride to the bridegroom. Both fathers of bride and bridegrooms who accepted money and the who paid the money, should be subject to punishment by the king and to excommunication for their caste. The canonical works  on sacred law discourages the practice of paying money as dowry. The marriage thus concluded is termed as 'Asura Vivaha' and the sacred law condemns such practices.

What is dowry? Dowry is a transaction between two parties involving cash, or other valuable articles such as precious metals, gems, clothing, appliances, real estate, or goods for entertainment, made as a condition for entering a marriage contract. 

Although dowry was illegalized in 1961 (The Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 in India), people from almost all castes are demanding dowry to different extents. Youngsters and parents view dowry as a 'way of accumulating economic capital.'

Newspapers and other media report daily about dowry harassment ranging from a lifetime of verbal abuse to extreme physical and sexual abuse. It is also closely interlinked to  female infanticide, neglect of the girl child, denial of educational and career opportunities to daughters, domestic violence, rape, extortion, homicide and other kinds of discrimination against women.

In Tamil society dowry and prestige are the two closely related social issues. Those who are in their demanding side never wants to give up and those who are in the accepting side always yielding to the demand in spite of great deal of difficulties.

Present day consumerism wants to say no to dowry. Women’s rights organisations are turning  the miseries of dowry victims.

Inscription inside the front gopura of the Virinchipuram Temple

(No.56 Inside the front gopura of the Virinchipuram temple, second inscription to the right: III - Inscriptions at and near Virinchipuram. Tamil and Grantha Inscriptions. South Indian Inscriptions)

Tamil Text

சுபமஸ்து. ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ . ஸ்ரீமன் மகா ராஜாதிராஜ பரமேசுவரரான ஸ்ரீ வீரபிர
தாப தேவராய மகாராஜர் ப்ரித்விராஜ்யம் பண்ணி அருளானின்ற சகாப்தம்
1347ழின் மேல் செல்லானின்ற விஸ்வாசு வருஷம் பங்குனி மாதம் 3க்கு
சஷ்டியும் புதன்கிழமையும்பெற்ற ஆநுசத்து நாள், படைவீட்டு இராஜ்யத்து
அஸேஷவித்யமஹாஜநங்களும் அகர்கபுஷ்கரணி கோபிநாத ஸன்னதியிலே
தர்ம ஸ்தாபந மையபத்ரம் பண்ணி குடுத்தபடி

இற்றைய நாள்முதலாக இந்த படைவீட்டு ராஜ் யத்து பிராமணரில்
கன்ன(டி)கர் தமிழர் தெலுங்கர் இலாளர் முதலான ஆஸேஷ கோத்திரத்து
அஸேஷசூத்தரத்தில் அஸேஷகையிலவர்களும் விவாஹம் பண்ணுமிடத்து,
கன்னியாதானமாக விவாஹம் பண்ணக் கடவராகவும் கன்னியாதானம்
பண்ணாமல் பொன் வாங்கி பெண் கொடுத்தால், பொன் கொடுத்து விவாஹம்
பண்ணினால், ராஜ தண்டத்துக்கும் உட்பட்டு பிராமண்யத்துக்கும்
புறம்பாகக் கடவரென்று பண்ணின தர்ம ஸ்தாபன மைய பத்ரம்; இப்படிக்கு
அஸேஷ வித்ய மகாஜனங்கள் எழுத்து

Translation


Let there be Prosperity! Hail! On the day of (the nakshatra) Anusham (Anuradha Star constellation) which corresponds to Wednesday, the sixth lunar day, the 3rd (solar day) of the month of Panguni (Tamil Calendar month) of the Visvavasu (Tamil Calendar year) year, which was current after the Saka (Shalivahana calendar) year 1347 (had passed),  while the illustrious maharajadhiraja-parameswara, the illustrious Virapratpa-Devaraya-maharaja was pleased to rule the earth,-the great men of all branches of sacred studies of the kingdom (rajyam) of Padaividu drew up, in the presence of (the god) Gopinatha (of) Arkapushkkarini, a document (which contains) an agreement fixing the sacred law. According  to (this document), if the Brahmanas of this kingdom (rajyam) of Padaividu, viz., Kannadigas, Tamilas, Telungas, Ilalas, etc.,of all gotras, sutras,  and  sakhas conclude a marriage, they shall, from this day forward, do it by kanyadana. Those who do no adopt kanyadana, i.e., both those who give away after having received gold, and those who conclude a marriage after having given gold, shall be liable to punishment by the king and shall be excluded from the community of Brahmanas. These are the contents of the document which was drawn up.

The following are the signatures of the great men of all branches of sacred studies:-

Virinchipuram Maragathambihai samedha Margabandheeswarar temple

Virinchipuram Maragathambihai samedha Margabandheeswarar temple is located near Vellore town in the Chennai-Bangalore Highway. The east facing temple is around 1300 years old and is very rich in extraordinary sculptures and artistic pillars. The legend is found in  Arunachala Puranam, Siva Rahasiyam, Kanchi puranam and many other holy books . Aadhi Shankaracharyar did the Beejakshara Pradhishtai to the Simha theertham of the temple. The temple was venerated by Thirumoolar, Pattinathar, Thirugnana Sambhandhar, Appar, Arunagirinadhar, Appayya Dikshithar and few others. The holy tree is palm and the holy water tanks include Simha Theertham, Sooli Theertham and Brahma Theertham.

Reference

No.56 Inside the front gopura of the Virinchipuram temple, second inscription to the right: III - Inscriptions at and near Virinchipuram. Tamil and Grantha Inscriptions. South Indian Inscriptions http://www.whatiindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_1/virinchipuram.htm.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Tamil Numeration System: Learn Tamil Numbers to decipher Inscriptions

Tamil Inscription from Darasuram showing Tamil Numerals

Early civilization have understood the importance of numbers and the ways to handle them and every society had their own representation of numbers in their age and every civilization had different glyphs to represent number.
The Hindu-Arabic numeration system also called the decimal numeration system (Latin word decem, meaning "ten."), is the most popular numeration system used by people today. Positional numeration or decimal place-value numeration is the system of representing or encoding numbers. This numeration system uses Arabic numerals. 

Aryabhata I or Aryabhata the Elder  (476–550 CE), an astronomer and the earliest Indian mathematician from either Ashmaka or Kusumapura, India developed the place-value notation.  Brahmagupta (598 –.670 CE) from Bhinmal, Rajasthan another Indian mathematician and astronomer introduced the symbol for zero as well as rules to compute with zero in his work Brahmasphutasiddhanta (The Opening of the Universe), in 628 CE.

This numeration system and its glyph notations developed from Indian Brahmi numerals and the full numeration system was first developed in India (around A.D. 800). The numeration system was first reported in Al-Khwarizmi's On the Calculation with Hindu Numerals and in Al-Kindi's four volume work On the Use of the Indian Numerals. At later stage it was refined by Arabs.

1. Hindu-Arabic numeration system uses 10 digits or symbols that can be used in combination to represent all possible numbers. The numeration system digits or symbols are: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

2. Numeration system groups by tens: Ten ones are replaced by one ten, ten tens are replaced by one hundred, ten hundreds are replaced by one thousand, 10 one thousand are replaced by 10 thousands, and so forth...

3. Numeration system uses a place value - starting from right to left;
  1. the first number represents how many ones there are
  2. the second number represents how many tens there are
  3. the third number represents how many hundreds there are
  4. the fourth number represents how many thousands there are
    and so on...

Tamil numeration system (தமிழ் எண்கள், தமிழ் இலக்கங்கள்) is the forgotten numeration system by the Tamil speaking people today. The numeration system employs Vattezhuttu
glyph notations to represent numerals from "ONE" to "NINE." It is interesting to find that the numeration system doesn't contain a Tamil glyph notation to represent zero. People wondering why the Tamil numeration system does not have any glyph for "ZERO". Absence "Zero' makes it as the non-decimal numeration system.

1. Tamil numeration system uses the simple additive systems (sign-value notation). This single value notation and numeration system was adopted before positional notation became standard. In sign-value notation only digits or symbols can be used in combination to represent all possible numbers. The numeration system digits or symbols are:



Thus digits ONE to TEN represented as shown below: 

= 1 = 2 =3 = 4 = 5 = 6 = 7 =8 =9 = 10
 
Thus digits ELEVEN to TWENTY represented as shown below:

௰௧ = 11 ௰௨ = 12 ௰௩ = 13 ௰௪ = 14 ௰௫ = 15
௰௬ = 16 ௰௭ = 17 ௰௮ = 18 ௰௯ = 19 ௨௰ = 20
 
The digits TWENTY ONE to TWENTY NINE represented below
 
௨௰௧ = 21 ௨௰௨  = 22 ௨௰௩ = 23 ௨௰௪ = 24  ௨௰௫ = 25
௨௰௬ = 26 ௨௰௭ = 27 ௨௰௮ = 28 ௨௰௯ = 29

The digits THIRTY to NINETY represented below

௩௰ = 30 ௪௰ = 40 ௫௰ = 50 ௬௰ = 60 ௭௰ = 70 ௮௰ = 80 ௯௰ = 90

The digits 101, 110, 111, and 156

௱௧ = 101 ௱௰ = 110 ௱௰௧ = 111 ௱௫௰௬= 156

The digits 201, 210, 211, and 256

௨௱௧ = 201 ௨௱௰ = 210 ௨௱௰௧ = 211 ௨௱௫௰௬ = 256


The digits 900 , 910, 911, 990, 999

௯௱ = 900 ௯௱௰ = 910 ௯௱௰௧ = 911 ௯௱௫௰௬ = 956 ௯௱௯௰ = 990 ௯௱௯௰௯ = 999

The digits 1000, 1001, 1010, 1056, 1111, 1156

=1000 ௲௧ = 1001 ௲௱௰ = 1010 ௲௫௰௬ = 1056 ௲௱௰௧ = 1111 ௲௱௫௰௬ = 1156


2. Numeration system groups by nine: It had separate glyph for numbers TEN   HUNDRED
and THOUSAND


3. Tamil Numeration system does not have a place value: 

Multiples of ten (பதின்பெருக்கம்)

10 (10 to the power of 1) Ten Patthu பத்து
100
(10 to the power of 2) Hundred  Nooru நூறு
1,000
(10 to the power of 3) Thousand Aayiram ஆயிரம் 
10,000 
(10 to the power of 4) Ten Thousand Patthayiram பத்தாயிரம் ௰௲
1,00,000 
(10 to the power of 5) Hundred Thousand (One Lakh) Noorayiaram நூறாயிரம் ௱௲
1,000,000 
(10 to the power of 6) Million  (Ten Lakh) meiyyiram மெய்யிரம் ௲௲
10,000,000
(10 to the power of 7) Ten Million (One Crore or One Hundred Lakh) ௰௲௲
1,00,000,000
(10 to the power of 8) One Billion (Ten Crore) ௱௲௲
1,000,000,000 
(10 to the power of 9) Ten Billion (One Hundred Crore) tollun தொள்ளுண் ௲௲௲
1,000,000,000,000
(10 to the power of 12) One Trillion igiyam ஈகியம்
௲௲௲௲
1,000,000,000,000,000 (10 to the power of 15) Quadrillion neļai நெளை ௲௲௲௲௲
1,000,000,000,000,000,000
(10 to the power of 18) Quintillion ilanchi இளஞ்சி ௲௲௲௲௲௲
100,000,000,000,000,000,000
(10 to the power of 20) vellam வெள்ளம்  ௱௲௲௲௲௲௲
1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
(10 to the power of 21) Sextillion ambal ஆம்பல் ௲௲௲௲௲௲௲



Currently unicode encodes Tamil numerals 1 to 9, 10, 100 and 1000. The proposed position in the Tamil Unicode range (U+BE06) is reserved and has the comment as equivalent digit zero  (U+0030). It is proposed that Tamil zero be encoded at this position:

Hindu-Arabic
numeration system
Tamil 
Numeartion System
Unicode
1 &#3047
2 &#3048
3 &#3049
4 &#3050
5 &#3051
6 &#3052
7 &#3053
8 &#3054
9 &#3055
10 &#3056
100 &#3057
1000 &#3058

Mr.Raman has developed an online software converter utility for converting the given Hindu Arabic numeration to Tamil numeration: Click here for Tamil Numeration Converter
Source: Tamil Epigraphy – Tamil numbers Raman's Kirukkalkal (wordpress) https://ramanchennai.wordpress.com/2012/01/
Reference:
  1. Hindu–Arabic numeral system (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_Arabic_numeral_system
  2. Numeral system (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numeral_system
  3. Positional notation (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positional_notation
  4. Single Value Notation (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign-value_notation
  5. Tamil numerals (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_numerals

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்) Fact File

Statue of Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்)


  • Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்) 
  • Birth Name: Arunmozhivarman
  • Dynasty: Chola Dynasty
  • Capital: Thanjavur 
  • Reign     985–1014 CE
  • Ethnic Tamil
  • Titles - 42
  1. Rajakandiyan இராசகண்டியன்
  2. Rajasarvagyan இராசசர்வக்ஞன்
  3. Rajarajan இராசராசன்
  4. Rajakesarivarman இராசகேசரிவர்மன்
  5. Rajachrayan இராசாச்ரயன்
  6. Rajamarthandan இராசமார்த்தாண்டன்
  7. Rajendrasimhan இராசேந்திரசிம்மன்
  8. Rajavinodhan இராசவிநோதன்
  9. Ranamukhabhiman இரணமுகபீமன்
10. Ravikulamanickan இரவிகுலமாணிக்கன்
11. Ravivamsasikamani இரவிவம்சசிகாமணி
12. Abhayakulasekaran அபயகுலசேகரன்
13. Arulmozhi அருள்மோழி
14. Arithurkkalangan அரிதுர்க்கலங்கன்
15. Periyaperumal பெரியபெருமாள்
16. Azhakiya Cholan அழகியசோழன்
17. Mumudi Cholan மும்முடிச்சோழன்
18. Panditha Cholan பண்டிதசோழன்
19. Nikali Cholan நிகரிலிசோழன்
20. Thirumuraikanda Cholan திருமுறைகண்டசோழன்
21. Jeyangonda Cholan செயங்கொண்டசோழன்
22. Uthama Cholan உத்தமசோழன்
23. Murthavikramaparanan மூர்த்தவிக்கரமாபரணன்
24. Uthangathungan உத்துங்கதுங்கன்
25. Uyyakondan உய்யக்கொண்டான்
26. Ulagalanthan உலகளந்தான்
27. Thelingakulakalan தெலிங்ககுலகாலன்
28. Keralanthakan கேரளாந்தகன்
29. Murthavikkaramaparanan மூர்த்தவிக்கரமாபரணன்
30. Cholendhrasimhan சோழேந்திரசிம்மன்
31. Cholanarayanan சோழநாராயணன்
32. Cholakulasundharan சோழகுலசுந்தரன்
33. Cholamarthandan சோழமார்த்தாண்டன்
34. Pandykulasani பாண்டியகுலாசனி
35. Sivapathasekaran சிவபாதசேகரன்
36. Singalanthakan சிங்களாந்தகன்
37. Chatrubhujangan சத்துருபுஜங்கன்
38. Chandaparakraman சண்டபராக்ரமன்
39. Jananathan ஜனநாதன்
40. Shatriyasikamani சத்திரியசிகாமணி
41. Keerthiparakraman கீர்த்திபராக்கிரமன்
42. Thailakulakalan தைலகுலகாலன்
 
  • Date of Birth Tamil month Aipasi (15th October - 15th November) 943 CE; Tamil month Chithirai (15th April to 15th May) as per Thirupukalur and Ennayiram inscriptions (Ref:  Kallezhuthil kalasuvadukal கல்லெழுத்தில் காலச்சுவடுகள் by S Swiminathan pages 38 - 39)
  • Natal star Shatabhisha, also known as Chathayam or Sadayam (Devanagari: शतभिषा)(Tamil: சதயம்), or Shatabhishak or Shatataraka is the 24th nakshatra in Hindu astronomy. (Ref: page 102 of Cholar varalaru (சோழர் வரலாறு ) by C Govindarasanar and C K Deivanayakam)
  • Predecessor  Uttama Chola
  • Successor   Rajendra Chola I
  • Southern Wars    The southern kingdoms of Cheras, the Sinhalas and Pandyas joined hands to fight the Cholas.
  • Kandalur Salai    994 CE : successfully campaigned in Kandalur a port town in Kerala.
  • Malai Nadu    Defeated the Cheras in a battle, captured Udagai.
  • Sri Lanka Conquest   993 CE : Invaded Sri Lanka 
  • Northern Wars    Territory expansion in the north & northwest Captured Nolambapadi, Gangapadi and Tadigaipadi.
  • Ganga Wars    973 CE: Invaded Ganga country in the absence of Rashtrakutas
  • War against Vengi    Waged a war against Vengi, a ruler named Bheema was killed
  • Kalinga conquest    Defeated the Andhra king Bhima and invaded the kingdom of Kalinga.
  • Naval Conquests    Known for the naval conquest of the 'old islands' (most likely the present-day Maldives), which were 12,000 in number.
  • Queens - 15
1. Ulaka Mahadevi உலக மகாதேவி - (Thanthisakthi Vitangi தந்திசக்தி விடங்கி) Queen பட்டத்தரசி
2. Chola Mahadevi சோழ மகாதேவி
3. Abimanavalli Mahadevi அபிமானவல்லி மகாதேவி
4. Thirailokiya Mahadevi திரைலோக்கிய மகாதேவி
5. Panjavan Mahadevi பஞ்சவன்மகாதேவி
6. Prithivi Mahadevi பிருத்திவிமகாதேவி
7. Lada Mahadevi இலாடமகாதேவி
8. Meenavan Mahadevi மீனவன் மகாதேவி - Pandya Princess பாண்டிய நாட்டு இளவரசி
9. Vanavan Mahadevi வானவன் மகாதேவி  (Thiribhuvana Madhevi திருபுவன மாதேவி. Vanadhi வானதி) - Mother of Rajendra Cholan I இராசேந்திர சோழனின் தாய்
10. Villavan Mahadevi வில்லவன் மகாதேவி- Chera Princess சேர நாட்டு இளவரசி
11. Veeranarayani வீரநாராயனி.
12. Nakkanthillai azhakiyar நக்கந்தில்லை அழகியார்
13. Kadan Thongiyar காடன் தொங்கியார்
14. Ilangon Pichiyar இளங்கோன் பிச்சியார்
15. Thailamadhevi தைலாமாதேவி
 
  • Parents Parantaka Chola II (957–970 CE) (இரண்டாம் பராந்தக சோழன்) also known by the name Madhurantakan, Sundara Cholan (சுந்தர சோழன்) (Father) and Queen Vanavanmahadevi (Mother)
  • Elder Brother  Aditya Karikalan (also referred to as Aditya II) Aditya’s inscriptions use the epithet "Vira Pandyan Thalai Konda Adithha Karikalan" - "...took the head of Vira Pandya".
  • Elder Sister Kundavai I
  • Sons Rajendra Cholan I (இராசேந்திர சோழன்,) Erivali Gangaikonda Chola (எறிவலி கங்கைகொ ண்ட சோழன் )
  • Daughters Madhevadikal (), Arulmozhi Chandramalliyar alias Gangamadheviyar, Kundavai II
  • Ascending the throne on the Day 22nd of Tamil month Aadi (15th July to 15 August) year 985 CE (18 - 07 - 985) at the age of 42 years
  • Thanjavur Peruvudaiyar Temple was built - Regnal year 25th Day 275 Saturday
  • Thanjavur Peruvudaiyar Temple consecrated - 22nd April 1010 CE (புனர்பூசம் Punarpoosam or Punarvasu -  7th Star)
  • Died on 17th January 1014 (Regnal year 29, Tamil month Markazhi (15th November to 15 December) Purva paksha (the period of the brightening moon (waxing moon), Chaturdashi Tithi (moon day)
  • Lived 71 years
  • Ruled the Chola kingdom 28 years 8 months 29 days
  • Religious Beliefs Hinduism, Saivism
In Tamil Nadu the temples have over 50,000 inscriptions the economic and socio-political records. The Chola edicts frequently refer about village assemblies (sabhas or mahasabhas), an elected body (represented by elite Brahman scholars of the village) of the ancient panchayat system , which public administered the Brahmadeya (gift to Brahmans) or Devadana (gift to presiding deity of the temple) villages. For every economic unit the Cholas built a temple.  The site for building temple was gifted by village elites. The Chola king donated the agriculture land for the maintenance of the temple. Provisions such as rice, dall. 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 centres 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 edicted (recorded) the contributions and investments from the king and public. Temples also employed huge skilled manpower - artisans, padiyam (Thevaram) 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 Chola emperors gave Royal (verbal) orders (tiruvakya-kelvi) to the village assemblies which were drafted by the private secretary and confirmed by the Olainayakam (Chief Secretary) and a Perundaram (higher officials) before its despatch by the Vidaiyadhikari (despatch clerk).

Chola Edict (சாசனம்) Structure (Epigraphy)  into THREE parts: 1. Preamble (முகப்புரை); 2. Notification (குறிப்புரை); and 3. Imprecation (முடிவுரை)

1 Preamble (முகப்புரை)

1.1 Invocation (மங்கலத்துவக்கம்) - Meykeerthi
1.2 Place of the edict (சாசனம் வெளியிடப்பட்ட இடம் ) - ராஜராஜன் தஞ்சைப் பெரியக்கோயிலுக்குத் தானம் வழங்கும் பொழுது இருமுடிச்சோழனின் உள்ளால் திருமஞ்சனச் சாலையில் இருந்த செய்தியைக் கூறுகிறது.
1.3 Name of the king (or queen) who inscribed the edict with his Titles and Traditions (சாசன வெளியீட்டாளரின் பெயர் அவரது விருதுப்பெயர்களும் மரபும்)
1.4 Date of the edict (mentions the day and the regnal year of the king)

2 Notification (குறிப்புரை) - Royal Order Issued verbally (includes the following information)

2.1 Information about the gifts (endowments)
2.2 Name of the donor
2.3 Gifts donated under the specific circumstances if any
2.4 Reason for donation or gift or endowment
2.5 Land endowments are marked with their boundaries - Also mentions the specific geographical classifications like province (Nadu நாடு), District (kurram கூற்றம்), village (கிராமம்), Visayam (விசயம்), Pukthi (புக்தி).
 
Land was measured in (Kuzhi = 11 Cents or 2 Grounds or 4799.96 sft) using Ulagalanthan kol (Chola land measuring rod instituted by Rajaraja Chola) i.e, one rod in length and one rod in width. Three kuzhi of land made one Maa (மா = approx. 33 Cents or 6 Grounds or 14399.88 sft). 20 Maa land was computed as one veli (வேலி = 660 Cents or 120 Grounds or 287997.90 sft). One munthirikai (முந்திரிகை) of land was equivalent to  1/4 Kani or 2.0625 Cents or 0.375 Ground    or 899.99 sft and one kani (காணி) of land was equivalent to 4 Muntirikai or 1.33 Kuzhi or 8.25 Cents or 1 1/2 Ground or 3599.97 sft.

Paddy or rice (or other grains too) was measured in naazhi, padi and marakkal. One naazhi grain was equivalent to approximately 900 gms. Eight naazhi grain was equivalent to half padi. Adavallan Marakkal (Chola grain measuring vessel instituted by Rajaraja Chola) was used to measure grain.
Oil and ghee were measured in azhakku (168 ml), uzhakku (336 ml) and Naazhi (1344 ml)

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 received gifts of gold, jewellery, paddy and cattle endowments for burning lamps; land endowments to disburse paddy wages to temple staff and supply contractors. If the gifts in coins (காசுக்கொடை), the interest  amount realised was mentioned as polisai kasu (பொலிசை காசு). The money was used to procure rice, dall, ghee, pepper, salt, vegetables, betel leaf, areca nut, sandal paste etc.

3. Imprecation - ஓம்படைக்கிளவி - (முடிவுரை)

The Chola administrative officials responsible for the implementation of the Royal orders (தர்மத்திற்குப் பொறுப்பேற்ற அலுவலர்களின் பெயர்(கள்), நாடு, கூற்றம், கிராமம்) and its authenticity and credibility. 


Edicts of Rajaraja Chola I found on the north-west wall of the Sri Vimana of Peruvudaiyar Temple, Thanjavur

1. Hail! Prosperity! This (is) the edict (sasana) of Rajaraja (alias) Rajakesarivarman, which is cherished by the multitude of the diadems of (i.e., which is obeyed by) the crowd of all princes.

2. On the twentieth day of the twenty-sixth year (of the reign) of Ko-Rajakesarivarman, alias Sri-Rajarajadeva, who – while (his) heart rejoiced, that, like the goddess of fortune, the goddess of the great earth had become his wife, — in his life of growing strength, during which, having been pleased to cut the vessal (kalam) (in) the hall (at) Kandalur, he conquered by his army, which was victorious in great battles, Vengai-nadu, Ganga-padi, Tadigai-padi, Nulamba-padi, Kudamalai-nadu, Kollam, Kalingam, Ira-mandalam, (the conquest of which) gave fame (i.e., made (him) famous) (in) the eight directions, and the seven and a half lakshas of Iratta-padi, — deprived the Seriyas (i.e., the Pandyas) of their splendor, while (he) was resplendent (to such a degree) that (he) was worthy to be worshipped everywhere; — having been pleased to make gifts (in) the royal bathing-hall (tiru-manjana-salai) to the east (of the hall) of Irumadi-Soran within the Tanjavur palace (koyil), the lord (udaiyar) Sri-Rajarajadeva vouchsafed to say: — “Let the gifts made by us, those made by (our) elder sister, those made by our wives, and those made by other donors to the lord (udaiyar) of the sacred stone-temple (tirukkarrali), (called) Sri Rajarajesvara, — which we caused to be built (at) Tanjavur, (a city) in Tanjavur –kurram, (a subdivision) of Pandyakulasani-valanadu, — be engraved on stone on the sacred shrine (sri-viman)!”.

 
"ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ் திருமகள் போல பெருநிலச் செல்வியுந் தனக்கேயுரிமை பூண்டமை மனக்கொளக் காந்தளூர்ச் சாலைக் களமறூத்தருளி வேங்கை நாடும் கங்கைபாடியும் நுளம்பபாடியும் தடிகை பாடியும் குடமலை நாடும் கொல்லமும் கலிங்கமும் எண்டிசை புகழ்தர ஈழ மண்டலமும் இரட்டபாடி ஏழரை இலக்கமும் (முந்நீர்ப் பழந்தீவு பன்னீ ராயிரமுந்) திண்டிறல் வென்றி தண்டால் கொண்டதன் பொழில் வளர் ஊழியுள் எல்லா யாண்டிலும் தொழுதகை விளங்கும் யாண்டே செழிஞரை தேசுகொள் ஸ்ரீ்கோவிராஜராஜகேசரி பந்மரான ஸ்ரீராஜராஜ தேவர்."

நாம் கொடுத்தனவும், நம் அக்கன் கொடுத்தனவும், நம் பெண்டுகள் கொடுத்தனவும்,கொடுப்பார் கொடுத்தனவும்..இந்த கல்லிலே வெட்டியருளுக என்று திருவாய்மொழிஞ்சருளி

    1.ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ (Swasti Sri)
    2.திருமகள் போலப் பெருநிலச் செல்வியும் (like the goddess of fortune, )
    3.தனக்கே யுரிமை பூண்டமை மனக்கொளக் (the goddess of the great earth had become his wife  — in his life of growing strength)
    4.காந்தளூர்ச் சாலைக் கலமறுத் தருளி (having been pleased to cut the vessal (kalam) (in) the port (at) Kandalur (= Kandalur is the port town in Chera country)
    5.வேங்கை நாடுங் கங்க பாடியுந் (he conquered by his army, which was victorious in great battles, Vengai-nadu, Ganga-padi,) (Vengai Nadu = East Chalukya country located between Krishna and Godavari rivers; Ganga-padi = Southern part of Mysore province)
    6.தடிகை பாடியும் நுளம்ப பாடியும் (Nulamba - Padi = Chithaldurga and Bellary districts of Mysore state); (thadigai - padi = Located between Ganga-padi and Nulamba padi);
    7.குடமலை நாடுங் கொல்லமுங் கலிங்கமும் (Kudamalai Nadu = Present Kudagu region in Karnataka); (Kollan (Quilon) in Kerala); (Kalingam = Present Odisha state located between Godavari and Mahanadhi rivers)
    8.முரட்டொழிற் சிங்கள ரீழமண் டலமும் (எண்டிசை புகழ்தர ஈழ மண்டலமும் ) ( (the conquest made him famous) in the eight directions) (Singala = Sinhalese region; Eezha mandalam = Present Sri Lanka)
    9.இரட்ட பாடி யேழரை யிலக்கமும் ( the seven and a half lakshs of Iratta-padi) (Iratta-Padi = Southern regions of Maharashtra)
    10.முந்நீர்ப் பழந்தீவு பன்னீ ராயிரமுந் (Munneer Pazhantheevu = Maldives and islands of Arabian ocean)
    11.திண்டிறல் வென்றித் தண்டாற் கொண்டதன் (vendri = Conquered; Thandu = Army)
    12.னெழில்வள ரூழியு ளெல்லா யாண்டுந் (பொழில் வளர் ஊழியுள் எல்லா யாண்டிலும்)
    13.தொழுதக விளங்கும் யாண்டே செழியரைத் (He was resplendent to such a degree that he was worthy to be worshipped everywhere; ) (deprived the Sezhiyars (i.e., the Pandyas)  of their splendor)
    14.தேசுகொள் கோராச கேசரி வர்மரான (Ko Rajakesarivarman) (Thesu = Thejas / splendor)
    15.உடையார் ஸ்ரீராச தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு (the lord (udaiyar) Sri-Rajarajadeva )

Reference
  1. முதல் இராசராச சோழன் மெய்க்கீர்த்தி (Wikipedia)
  2. முதலாம் இராஜராஜ சோழன்  Blogspot  

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Uthiramerur Inscriptions on Chola Kudavolai Election System

Facade of Vaikundaperumal Temple - General Village Assembly (Mahasabha) of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam
Plaque 1: Inscriptions of Parantaka Chola I Explained
Plaque 2: Inscriptions of Parantaka Chola I Explained
Plaque 3: Inscriptions of Parantaka Chola I Explained
South plinth (Upa-peeta, Upana, Jagadi, kumuda) showing inscriptions
West plinth (Upa-peeta, Upana, Jagadi, kumuda) showing inscriptions
View from North-East corner: Vaikundaperumal Temple - General Village Assembly (Mahasabha) of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam
Vaikundaperumal Temple Vimanam of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam
Vaikundaperumal Temple Pillared Hall - General Village Assembly (Mahasabha) of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam
Jayagandan, Sasi Dharan and D Kannan @ Vaikundaperumal Temple - General Village Assembly (Mahasabha) of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam
  • Uttaramerur Inscriptions of Parantaka Chola I (முதலாம் பராந்தகன் )
  • Location: Uttaramerur, Kanchipuram Taluk, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Chola Emperor: Parantaka Chola I (முதலாம் பராந்தகன்) (907 - 956 AD.)
  • Regnal Years: 12th Regnal year (919 AD) inscription 12 lines and 14th Regnal Year (921 AD) inscription 18 lines
  • Inscription Language: Tamil
  • Inscription Script: Tamil Grantha of 10th century
Uttaramerur, an ancient Chola village once known as Chaturvedimangalam, is located about 85 km from Chennai.  This village, developed on the canons of the agama texts, has the village general assembly aka. mahasabha mandapa at the centre. The three temples well known for its architecture,  sculptures and epigraphy i.e, 1. Kailasanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, 2. Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and 3. the Balasubramanya temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya,  are oriented with reference to the mandapa. 

Background

The Chola administration was functioning on the principles of democracy and the Panchayat system flourished during their reign. The Chola self government was built up on 'general assemblies' or 'sabhas' or 'mahasabhas' of the villages. All aspects of village community life were administered by these general assemblies. The mahasabhas encouraged and accepted endowments from public towards temple functions and services and disposed services as per laid down procedure. In several occasions they exercised their authority in selling the land portions under their jurisdiction to individuals of various villages and towns. They also ascertained the purchase and accepted endowments offered by public. The mahasabha also to accept paddy grains or ghee as well as gold Kalanchu, accrued as interest of the principal, in certain stipulated measurements. The sabha also accepted gifts from royal king and his family members and the same was registered and documented with care.


During Chola Empire the Uttaramerur village was gifted to 1200 Vaishnava Brahmins and hence known as Chaturvedimangalam (சதுர்வேதிமங்கலம்) or Brahmadeya or Devadana type of villages (Brahman settlements). The village gained more popularity as the temples became the centres of life and these villages were administrated by the mahasabha. The mahasabhas were apparently an exclusively Brahman assembly of the  villages. The inscriptions on the temple walls speak about prevalence of village general assemblies in  Manur (Tirunelveli), Tiruninravur (Thiruvallur), Manimangalam (Kanchipuram), Dadasamudram (Kanchipuram), Sithamalli and Thalaignayiru (Thanjavur), Jambai (Villupuram) and Ponnamaravathy (Pudukottai).

Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam

The village general assembly or mahasabha of Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam,  also known as Vaikunta Perumal Temple, is the huge granite structure with sanctum sanctorum and the huge pillared hall with roof measuring about 2500 s.ft. The Dravidian kind of vimanam adorns on top of the sanctum. The village assembly appears to be the dynamic hub from 9th century A.D. to 11th century. Lord Vishnu, the presiding deity of  Vaikunta Perumal Temple and the Lord of Just, would have presided over the transactions of the village assembly sessions. The present sanctum has no deity.

Two complete inscriptions were copied from the plinth of the sabha mandapa walls of the temple complex of Vaikundaperumal at Uttaramerur (Uthiramerur Taluk , Kanchipuram District) by ASI (now popularly known as 'Uttaramerur inscriptions.'.  Both inscriptions belong to the Chola King: Paranthaka I (907–955).

The inscription details the resolutions of the general assembly of Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam relating to the Royal orders of Parantaka Chola I issued on the 11th and 14th regnal years on the constitution of the sabha or mahasabha and the 'Pot ticket election procedures' (Kudavolai (குடவோலை முறை) system) to be followed for the village general assembly or sabha of Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam. The village general assembly met and resolved about the qualification for the members of the sabha, election procedures for the 30 wards of Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam.

Chola Emperor

Paranthaka I (907–955) who conquered Madurai (மதிரை கொண்ட கோப்பரகேசரிவர்மர்)

Regnal Year

12th Regnal year of Paranthaka I  (யாண்டு பனிரெண்டாவது)  (12ஆம் ஆட்சியாண்டிலும் (Approximately 919 AD கி.பி919), and
14th Regnal Year sixteenth day of Paranthaka I ) (யாண்டு பதினாலாவது நாள் பதினாறு)   14ஆம் ஆட்சியாண்டிலும் (Approximately 921 AD கி.பி. 921) 

Royal (Letter) Order

The Chola emperors gave Royal (verbal) orders (tiruvakya-kelvi) which were drafted by the private secretary and confirmed by the Olainayakam (Chief Secretary) and a Perundaram (higher officials) before its despatch by the Vidaiyadhikari (despatch clerk).

The Royal (letter) Order of Devendhran, the Emperor, Sri Viranayana Sri Parantaka Deva (who also assumed the title as) Parakesari varman was in receipt and was shown to us (members of mahasabha) (தேவேந்திரன் சக்ரவர்த்தி ஸ்ரீ வீரநாராயண ஸ்ரீ பராந்தக தேவர் ஆகிய பரகேசரி வர்மர் ஸ்ரீ முகம் அருளிச் செய்து வரக்காட்ட) 

Village Under Reference

We the members of the Mahasabha of the village Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam of Dhana Kurru forming part of Kaliyur Kottam (காலியூர் கோட்டத்து தன கூற்று உத்திரமேரு சதுர்வேதி மங்கலத்து சபையோம்)

General Assembly met in the Presence of the Village Assembly Officer

We the members met this day as general assembly in the presence of Karanjai Kondaya - Kramavitha bhattan (Brahmin caste title) alias Somasiperumal of Srivanga nagar (name of town) in Purangarambainadu (name of district), of the Chola Nadu (country) (சோழ நாட்டுப்புறங் கரம்பை நாட்டு ஸ்ரீ வாங்க நகரக்கரஞ் செய்கை கெண்ட யக்ரமவித்த பட்டனாகிய சோமாசி பெருமாள்)

Resolution of the Assembly and the Settlement

The village general assembly of the Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam met in the general assembly hall of the village, where it deliberated the resolution:

The village general assembly of the Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam was convening the committee as directed in royal order and was resolved and settled as per the terms given in the royal letter. Accordingly it was resolved to choose the member  for the 'Annual Committee,' (ஸம்வத்ஸர வாரியம்) 'Garden Committee,' (தோட்ட வாரியம்) and the 'Water bodies Committee' (ஏரிவாரியம்) commencing from this year. (உத்திரமேருச்சதுர்வேதிமங்கலத்து சபையோம் இவ்வாண்டுமுதல் எங்களூர் ஸ்ரீமுகப்படி ஆஞையினால் தத்தனூர் மூவேந்த வேளான் இருந்து வாரியமாக ஆட்டொருக்காலும் ஸம்வத்ஸர வாரியமும் தோட்ட வாரியமும் ஏரிவாரியமும் இடுவதற்கு வ்யவஸ்தை செய்த பரிசாவது..)

Village ward or Kudumbu' (குடும்பு) 

According to the inscriptions, each village was divided into wards or Kudumbu' (குடும்பு), and each ward or Kudumbu' (குடும்பு) could send one representative to the general assembly.

There shall be thirty wards in Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam; (முப்பதா முப்பது குடும்பிலும் )

In all these thirty wards, all people who live in each ward shall fore gather and shall elect anyone possessing the following qualifications through "pot-tickets" (Kuda Olai - குடவோலை) election system: (குடும்பு முப்பதா முப்பது குடும்பிலும் அவ்வவ் குடும்பிலாரே கூடிக் )

 Specific qualifications were prescribed for those who wanted to contest: 1. age, 2. possession of immovable property and 3. education. Thus, those who wanted to be elected had to be above 35 years of age and below 70 years. Only those who owned land that attracted tax could contest. And such owners had to own a house built on a legally-owned site to qualify for the elections. A person serving in any of the committees could not contest again for the next three terms, each term lasting a year.

Those who wanted to contest:

1. Must own more than a quarter veli (One Veļi = 6.17 acre 6.17 ஏக்கர் ஒரு வேலி Tamil Wikipedia) tax-paying land (காணிலத்துக்கு மேல் இறை நிலமுடையான் );

2. Must own a house built on a legally-owned site (தன் மனையிலே அகம் மெடுத்துக் கொண்டிருப்பானை );

3.  Must be above 35 years of age and below 70 years (எழுபது பிராயத்தின் கீழ் முப்பத்தைந்து பிராயத்தின் மேற்ப்பட்டார் );

4. Must have knowledge of 'Mantrabrahmana' (Mantra Text) as well as experience in teaching the same to others (மந்த்ர பிராமணம் வல்லான் ஒதுவித்தறிவானைக் );

5. Can own only one - eighth (1 / 8) veli of land and must have learned one Veda and one of the four Bhashyas and experienced in explaining them to others, then he shall be eligible  to contest i.e, voters write his name on the pot-ticket (ballot) to be cast into the pot (ballot pot) (அரக்கா நிலமே யுடையனாயிலும் ஒரு வேதம் வல்லனாய் நாலு பாஷ்யத்திலும்  ஒரு பாஷ்யம் வக காணித்தறிவான அவனையுங் குட வோலை எழுதிப் புக இடுவதாகவும்);

6. Must be among those possessing qualifications such as expertise in business and are known for their virtues (அவர்களிலும் கார்யத்தில் நிபுணராய் ஆகாரமு டையாரானாரை யேய் கொள்வதாகவும்);

7. Must be among those who possess honest earnings and pure mind; (அர்த்த சௌசமும் ஆன்ம சௌசமும் உடையாராய்);
 
Those Disqualified to contest

1. Are those who have served in any of the committees for the last three years and have not submitted their accounts and all their relatives mentioned in the following classes. (மூவாட்டினிப்புறம் வாரியஞ் செய்து கணக்குக் காட்டாதே இருந்தாரையும்);

The relatives of the defaulter

2. The sons of the younger and elder sisters of defaulter's mother (இவர்களுக்குத் தாயோடு உடப் பிறந்தானையும் = தாயின் சிறிய, பெரிய சகோதரிகளின் மக்கள்);

3. The sons of defaulter's paternal aunt and maternal uncle (அவர்களுக்கு அத்தை மாமன் மக்களையும்);

4. The uterine brother of defaulter's mother (மாமன்);

5. The uterine brother of defaulter's father (இவர்கள் தகப்பநோடுப் பிறந்தானையும்);

6. Defaulter's uterine brother (இவர்களுக்குச் சிற்றனவர்);

7.  Defaulter's father-in-law (மாமனார்);

8. The uterine brother of defaulter's wife (பேரவ்வைக்களையும்);

9. The husband of defaulter's uterine sister (தன்னோடுப் பிறந்தாளை வோட்டானையும் = உடன் பிறந்தாளை திருமணம் செய்தவர்);

10. The sons of defaulter's uterine sister (உடப் பிறந்தாள் மக்களையும்);

11. The son-in-law who has married defaulter's daughter (தன மகளை வேட்ட மருமகனையும் = தன் மகளை மணம் புரிந்த மருமகன்):

12. Defaulter's father (தன தமப்பனையும்);

13. Defaulter's son (தன மகனையும்);

14. One against whom incest (agamyagamana) or the first four of the five great sins are recorded (இடப்பெருதாராகவும், அகமியாகமனத்திலும் மகா பாதங்களில் முன் படைத்த நாலு மகா பாதகத்திலுமெழுத்துப் பட்டாரையும்);

15. All defaulter's relations above specified shall not have their names written on the pot-tickets and put into the pot (இவர்களுக்கும் முன் சுடப்பபட்ட இத்தனை பந்துக்களையும் குடவோலை எழுதிப்புக);

16. One who is foolhardy (சாகசிய ராயிரைப்பாரையும்);

17. One who has stolen the property of another (பரத்ரவியம் அபகரித் தானையும்);

18. One who has taken forbidden dishes (?) of any kind and who has become pure by performing expiation (கிராம கண்டகராய் ப்ராயஸ்சித்தஞ் செய்து சத்தரானாரையும்);

19. One who has committed sins and has become pure by performing expiatory ceremonies (பாதகஞ் செய்து பிராயச் சித்தர் செய்து சுத்தரானாரையும்);

20. One who is guilty of incest and has become pure by performing expiatory ceremonies (அகமியாங்கமஞ் செய்து ப்ராயஸ்சித்தஞ் செய்து சுத்தரானாரையும்);

21. All these thus specified shall not to the end of their lives have their names written on the pot-ticket to be put into the pot for any of the committees (ஆக இச்சுட்டப்பட்ட அனைவரையும் ப்ரானாந்திகம் வாரியத்துக்குக் குடவோலை எழுதி எழுதிப்புகவிடப் பெருதாக).
Mode of Election

1. Excluding all these, thus specified (ஆகா இச்சுட்டப்பட்ட இத்தனைவரையும் நீக்கி);
The names shall be written for pot-tickets in the thirty wards (இம்முப்பது குடும்பிலும் குடவோலைக்குப் பேர் தீட்டி);

2. Each of the wards in these twelve streets of Uttaramerur shall prepare a separate covering ticket for each of the thirty wards bundled separately. These packets shall be put into a pot.   (இபன்னிரண்டு சேரியிலுமாக இக்குடும்பும் வெவ்வேறே வாயோலை பூட்டி முப்பது குடும்பும் வெவ்வேறே கட்டிக்குடம் புக இடுவதாகவும்);

3. When the pot-tickets have to be drawn, a full meeting of the Great Assembly, including the young and old members, shall be convened (குடவோலை பறிக்கும் போது மகா சபைத் திருவடியாரை சபால விருத்தம் நிரம்பக் கூட்டிக் கொண்டு);

4. All the temple priests (Nambimar) who happen to be in the village on that day, shall, without any exception whatever, be caused to be seated in the inner hall, where the great assembly meets  (அன்றுள்ளீரில் இருந்த நம்பிமார் ஒருவரையும் ஒழியாமே மகா சபையிலேரும் மண்டகத்தி லேயிருத்திக் கொண்டு);

5. In the midst of the temple priests one of them, who happens to be the eldest, shall stand up and lift that pot looking upwards so as to be seen by all people (அந்நம்பிமார் நடுவே அக்குடத்தை நம்பிமாரில் வருத்தராய் இருப்பா ரொரு  நம்பி மேல் நோக்கி எல்லா ஜனமுங் காணுமாற்குலெடுத்துக் கொண்டு நிற்க);

6. One ward, i.e., the packet representing it, shall be taken out by any young boy standing close, who does not know what is inside, and shall be transferred to another empty pot and shaken. From this pot one ticket shall be drawn by the young boy and made over to the arbitrator (madhyastha) (பகலே யந்திர மறையாதானொரு பாலனைக் கொண்டு ஒரு குடும்பு வாங்கி மற்றொரு குடத்துகே புகவிட்டுக் குலைத்து அக்குடத்திலோரோலை வாங்கி மத்யஸ்தன் கையிலே குடுப்பதாகவும்);

7. While taking charge of the ticket thus given to him, the arbitrator shall receive it on the palm of his hand with the five fingers open. (அக்குடத்த வோலை மத்தியஸ் தன வாங்கும்போது அஞ்சு விரலும் அகல வைத்த உள்ளங்கையாலே ஏற்றுக் கொள்வானா கவும்);

8. He shall read out the name in the ticket thus received (அவ்வேற்று வாங்கின வோலை வாசிப்பானாகவும்); 

9. The ticket read by him shall also be read out by all the priests present in the inner hall (வாசித்த அவ்வோலை அங்குள் மண்டகத்திருந்த தம்பிமார் எல்லோரும் வாசிப்பாராகவும்); 

10. The name thus read out shall be put down (and accepted). Similarly one man shall be chosen for each of the thirty wards (வாசித்த அப்பர் திட்டமிடுவதாகவும் இப்பரிசே முப்பது குடும்பிலும் ஒரே பேர் கொள்வதாகவும்);

Constitution of the Committee

11. Of the thirty men thus chosen, those who had previously been on the Garden committee and on the Tank committee, those who are advanced in learning, and those who are advanced in age shall be chosen for the Annual Committee. ( இக்கொண்ட முப்பது பேரினுந்தோட்ட வாரியமும் ஏரி வாரியமும் செய்தாரையும் விச்சையா வருத்தரையும் வயோவ்ருத்தர்களையும் சம்வத்ஸர வாரியராக கொள்வதாகவும்);

12. Of the rest, twelve shall be taken for the Garden committee and the remaining six shall form the Tank committee. (மிக்கு நினாருட்பன்னிருவரைத் தொட்ட வாரியங் கொள்வதாகவும் );

13. These last two committees shall be chosen by showing the Karai (நின்ன அறுவரையும் ஏரி வாரியமாகக் கொள்வதாகவும்); 

Duration of the Committees

14. The great men of these three committees thus chosen for them shall hold office for full three hundred and sixty days and then retire ((இவ்வாரியம் செய்கின்ற மூன்று திறத்து வாரியப் பெருமக்களும் முன்னுற்றருபது நாளும் நிரம்பச் செய்து ஒழிவதாகவும்);
Removal of Persons Found Guilty

15. When one who is on the committee is found guilty of any offence, he shall be removed at once (வாரியஞ் செய்ய நின்றாரை அபராதங் கண்டபோது அவனை யொழித்துவதாகவும்);

16. For appointing the committees after these have retired, the members of the Committee “for Supervision of Justice” in the twelve streets of Uttaramerur shall convene an assembly kuri with the help of the Arbitrator (இவர்கள் ஒழித்த அனந்தரமிடும் வாரியங்களும் பன்னிரண்டு சேரியிலும் தன்மைக்ருதயங் கடை காணும் வாரியரே மத்யஸ்தரைக் கொண்டு குறிகூட்டிக் குடுப்பராகவும்);

17. The committees shall be appointed by drawing pot-tickets according to this order of settlement (இவ்வியவஸ்தை யோலைப்படியே...க்ருக்குடவோலை பரித்தக் கொண்டே வாரியம் இடுவதாகவும்).

Pancavara and Gold Committees

18. For the Pancavara committee and the Gold committee, names shall be written for pot-tickets in the thirty wards. Thirty packets with covering tickets shall be deposited in a pot and thirty pot-tickets shall be drawn as previously described. (பஞ்சவார வாரியத்துக்கும் பொன் வாரியத்துக்கு முப்பது குடும்பிலும் குடவோலைக்குப் பேர் தீட்டி முப்பது வாயோலை கட்டும் புக இட்டு முப்பது குடவோலை பறித்து முப்பதிலும் பன்னிரண்டு பேர் பறித்துக் கொள்வதாகவும்);

19. From these thirty tickets chosen, twenty-four shall be for the Gold committee and the remaining six for the Pancavara committee. (பறித்த பன்னிரண்டு பேர் அறுவர் பொன் வாரியம் அறுவர் பஞ்ச வாரியமும் ஆவனவாகவும்);

20. When drawing pot-tickets for these two committees next year, the wards which have been already represented during the year in question on these committees shall be excluded and the reduction made from the remaining wards by drawing the Karai. (பிற்றை ஆண்டும் இவ்வரியங்களை குடவோலை பறிக்கும் போது இவ்வரியங்களுக்கு முன்னம் செய்த குடும்பன்றிக்கே நின்ற குடும்பிலே கரை பறித்துக் கொள்வதாகவும்);

21. One who has ridden on an ass and one who has committed forgery shall not have his name written on the pot-ticket to be put into the pot (கழுதை ஏறினாரையும் கூடலேகை செய்தானையும் குடவோலை எழுதிப்புக் இடப் பெருததாகவும்).

Qualification of the Accountant

1. Any Arbitrator who possesses honest earnings shall write the accounts of the village (மத்தியஸ்தரும் அர்த்த சௌசமுடையானே கணக்கெழுது வானாகவும்); 

2. No accountant shall be appointed to that office again before he submits his accounts for the period during which he was in office to the great men of the big committee and is declared to have been honest (கணக்கெழுதினான் கணக்குப் பெருங்குறிப் பெருமக்களோடு கூடக் கணக்குக் காட்டி சுத்தன் ஆச்சி தன பின்னன்றி மாற்றுக் கணக்குப் புகழ் பெருதானாகவும்);

 3. The accounts which one has been writing, he shall submit himself and no other accountant shall he chosen to close his accounts (தான் எழுதின கணக்குத் தானே காட்டுவானாகவும் மாற்றுக் கணக்கர் புக்கு ஒடுக்கப் பெருதாராகவும்);

Implementation

1. The Royal Order shall implement Pot Ticket Procedure (Kudavolai System) from this year and shall  continue till the existence of Moon and Sun (இப்பரிசே இவ்வாண்டு முதல் சந்த்ராதித்யவத் என்றும்  குடவோலை வாரியமே இடுவதாக )

Received From

1. Royal Order received from Devendhran, the Emperor, Sri Viranayana Sri Parantaka Deva (who also assumed the title as) Parakesari varman (தேவேந்திரன் சக்ரவர்த்தி பட்டிதவச்சவன் குஞ்சர மல்லன் சூரா சூளாமணி கல்பகசரிதை ஸ்ரீ பரகேசரிபன்மர்கள் ஸ்ரீ முகம் அருளிச் செய்து);

Received and Submitted by Village Assembly Officer

1. Royal Order received and shown (submitted) to the Members of the general assembly of Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam by Karanjai Kondaya - Kramavitha bhattan (Brahmin caste title) alias Somasiperumal of Srivanga nagar (name of town) in Purangarambainadu (name of district), of the Chola Nadu (country) (வரக் காட்ட ஸ்ரீ ஆளஞயால் சோழ நாட்டு புறங்கரம்பை நாட்டு ஸ்ரீ வங்க நகர்க் காஞ்சை கொண்ட யாக்ரமவித்த பாட்டனாகிய சேர்மாசி பெருமானுடன் இருந்து இப்பரிசு செய்விக்க);

Madhyasthan

1. Kadadippottan Sivakkuri Rajamallamangalapriyan functioned as the madhyasthan of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam sabha (நம் கிராமத்து அப்யுதயமாக துஷ்டர் கேட்டு விசிஷ்டர் வர்த்திப்பதாக வியவஸ்தை செய்தோம் மத்யஸ்தன் காடாடிப் போத்தன் சிவகுறி இராஜமல்ல மங்கலப்பிரியனேன்);

The Scribe

1. At the order of the great men, sitting in the assembly, the Arbitrator Kadadippottan Sivakkuri Rajamallamangalapriyan, thus wrote this settlement.  (உத்தரமேரு சதுர்வேதி மங்கலத்துச் சபையாம் இப்பரிசு குறியுள் இருந்து பெருமக்கள் பணிக்கு வியவஸ்தை மத்யஸ்தன் காடாடிப் போத்தன் சிவகுறி இராஜமல்ல மங்கலப்பிரியனேன்.)

Reference
  1. An 1100 years-old Constitution http://satyameva-jayate.org/2008/07/12/1100-yrs-constitution/
  2. Ancient Epigraphical Inscription on elections: Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Uthiramerur, Kancheepuram District http://tnsec.tn.nic.in/historical/Epigraphical%20Inscription.html
  3. Constitution 1,000 years ago. The Hindu Chennai 11 July 2008
  4. Status of Panchayati Raj in the States of India, 1994 http://books.google.co.in/books?isbn=8170225531
  5. Temple of democracy Business Standard July 20, 2014 http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/temple-of-democracy-112070700027_1.html 
  6. Temple inscriptions point to early Chola inroads into Pallava region by T.S. Subramanian The Hindu Chennai Nov 20, 2008 http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/2008112057012200.htm
  7. Uttaramerur http://reachhistory.blogspot.in/2006/12/uttaramerur.html
  8. Uttaramerur model of democracy The Hindu Chennai March 13, 2010 http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/uttaramerur-model-of-democracy/article243997.ece 
  9. Village Administration in Ancient India by Shriram Yerankar http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/41855799?uid=3738256&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&sid=21104509300513 
  10. வியக்க வைக்கும் சோழர்களின் தேர்தலும், ஆட்சி முறையும் http://www.mayyam.com/talk/showthread.php?10963-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%9F
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