Heritage Trails Villupuram: Tirumundeeswaram and Jambai 1

Tirumundeesvaram Temple (Wikimapia)

Panuval Bookstore, Thiruvanmiyur is popular for books on environment and society and for its series of weekly, monthly lectures and discussions on literature, cinema, society, economics and politics at its premises. It has also organized three "One day Archaeological Educational Tour" to historical and archaeological monuments. The fourth one day tour heritage tour was organized on 04th October 2015 and planned cover four places in Thiruvennainallur and Tirukoyilur taluks, Villipuram district in Tamil Nadu: Gramam (Tirumundeesvaram) கிராமம் (திருமுண்டீஸ்வரம்), Tiruvennainallur (திருவெண்ணெய்நல்லூர்), Tirukoyilur (திருக்கோவிலூர்), Jambai Dasimadam hillock (ஜம்பை தாசிமடம் குன்று) and Jambunatheshwarar Temple (ஜம்புநாதேஸ்வரர் கோவில்). It was planned to hire a bus and accommodate around 30 participants.  Panuval also ensured the participation of Dr. Padmavathi Anaiappan,  retired Senior Epigraphist, Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department, Mr. C.Veeraraghavan, ancient historian, freelance archaeologist and epigraphist and Mrs. Mangayarakarasi Veeraraghavan. I had the chance to participate in this one day tour. However we could spent our entire day in visiting two places only i.e, Gramam and Jambai Dasimadam hillock and Jambunatheshwarar Temple.

Dr. Padmavathi Anaiappan: Explaining the History

We have commenced our day from Panuval Bookstore, Thiruvanmiyur by 06.30 am. After number of pick-ups at several points, we proceeded straight on the NH45 towards Villupuram. We stopped on the Highway at the roadside and finished our packed breakfast (Hot-Chips Mini Breakfast) under the shady tree. The NH 45 was looking excellent highway for pleasant morning travel. Mr.C. Veerraghavan and Mrs.Veeraraghavan joined with us at Villupuram by-pass. After travelling about 5 km, we took the right turn at Arasur crossing and proceeded further on the road leading to Thiruvennainallur enroute to Tirukoilur. After passing through the railway level crossing, we reached our first destination, the village Gramam and parked our vehicle before Sri Sivaloganathar temple.

Gramam (கிராமம்) is a village in Thiruvennainallur taluk (திருவெண்ணைநல்லூர் வட்டம்), Villupuram district (விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டம்), Tamil Nadu, India. The village is located on the southern bank of the river Malattaar (மலட்டாறு). Malattar is said to be the old bed of Thenpennai river. The historical Tirumundeeswaram (Mouli Gramam) village is described to have been located on the southern bank of the Thenpennai river. The  Thenpennai River (aka Dakshina Pinakini in Kannada) covers 105 km in Villupuram district. It is the main source for irrigating over 25000 acres in Villupuram district. The Gramam village is at the geographic coordinates of 13.093 N latitude and 80.292 W longitude. The rural village is part of Gramam village panchayat and as per census 2011 it has a population of 3,048 people and 68.43 % literacy rate. The main occupation of the area is agriculture and allied activities. It is located 16 km towards South from District head quarters Viluppuram, 3 km from Arasur, 5 km from Thiruvennainallur, 21 km from Thirukovilur and 190 km from State capital Chennai. 

Location: Gramam near Tiruvenneinallur . (Nadu Naadu (நடு நாடு)
Historical Name: Mundeeswaram (முண்டீஸ்வரம்)
Shiva: Sivalokanathar (சிவலோகநாதர்), Mundeeswarar (முண்டீஸ்வரர் ), Mudiswarar (முடீஸ்வரர்).
Ambal: Soundaryanayaki (சௌந்தர்யநாயகி), Kanarkuzhali (காணார்குழலி), Selvambikai (செல்வாம்பிகை).
Holy Tree (Vriksham): Vanni (வன்னி). Prosopis tree (in English). Botanical Name: Prosopis cineraria (Family: Fabaceae)
Holy Water (Theertham): Mundaka Theertham (முண்டக தீர்த்தம்)

Devaram Hymn (தேவார பதிகம்) : Devaram hymns of saint Tirunavukkarasar (திருநாவுக்கரசர்). This shrine is the 19th Lord Shiva Temple in Nadunadu region praised in Devaram hymns (19வது நடுநாட்டுத் தேவார தலம்). 

Hymns (Patikam) of Saint Tirunavukkarasar Devaram mentions this shrine as Tirumundeeswaram (திருமுண்டீச்சுரம்) 

'திருமுண்டீச் சரத்து மேய சிவலோகன் காணவனென் சிந்தை யானே.'

Entrance

The inscriptions of Parantaka Chola I address this shrine as 'Tirumudiyur.'  The inscriptions of Rajendra Chola I record the name of this shrine brahmadeyam of Mudiyur-nadu (முடியூர் நாட்டுப் பிரமதேயம்)   and was forming part of the subdivision of Tirumunaipadi Nadu (திருமுனைப்பாடி நாடு) in Jayangonda-Solamandalam (ஜெயங்கொண்ட சோழமண்டலம் ) province. According to the inscriptions of Aditya Karikalan aka Aditya II, Kulotunga I and Kulotunga II, this shrine was known as Parantaka chaturvedhi-mangalam (பராந்தக சதுர்வேதிமங்கலம்) of Mutiyur-nadu (a subdivision) of Tirumunaipadi Nadu (திருமுனைப்பாடி நாடு) in Jayangonda-Solamandalam. Rajaraja II called this shrine as Kulotunga Chola Chaturvedhi-mangalam (குலோத்துங்க சோழ சதுர்வேதிமங்கலம்) of Mutiyur-nadu. The place according to R.P.Sethupillai (இரா.பி.சேதுப்பிள்ளை) was also called as Mouli Gramam (மௌலி கிராமம்) in Sanskrit. Later it was transformed to as just 'Gramam' after omitting prefix 'Mouli.' The current name of this shrine is Tirumundeeswaram.

The prime deity Sivalokanathar was addressed with different names in different inscriptions: Parantaka Chola I inscriptions called the Lord as 1. Sri-Arruttali (ஸ்ரீ ஆற்றுதளி), 2. Sri-Arruttali-Mahadeva (ஸ்ரீ ஆற்றுதளி மகாதேவா), 3. Sri-Arruttali-Perumanadigal (ஸ்ரீ ஆற்றுதளி பெருமானடிகள்), 4. Sri-Arruttali-mulasthanattu-Perumanadigal (ஸ்ரீ ஆற்றுதளி மூலஸ்தானத்துப் பெருமானடிகள்), 5. Sriyarruttali-Perumal (ஸ்ரீயாற்றுத்தளி பெருமாள்). Rajara Chola II preferred to call the Lord as Sri-Arruttali-Aludaiyar (ஸ்ரீ ஆற்றுதளி ஆளுடையார்). Jatavarma Sundarapandya I called the Lord as Bokkanankuduttaruliya-Nayanar (பொக்கிஷங்கொடுத்தருளிய நாயனார்) and Mulasthanam-Udaiyar Bokkanankuduttaruliya-Nayanar (மூலஸ்தானத்து உடையார் பொக்கிஷங்கொடுத்தருளிய நாயனார்).

View from North-east corner

The Chola prince Rajaditaya, when stationed to guard the Chola garrison in Gramam village, crowned himself as the Chola prince. Vellankumaran (வெள்ளன்குமரன்), a native of Nadikkaraputtur in Chera country (சேரநாட்டு நந்திக்கரைபுத்தூர்) was serving as the general of Chola army and was stationed here along with his force. Sri Sivalokanathaswamy temple was constructed by Vellankumaran during the 36th regnal year (943 A.D.) inscription of Parantaka Chola I records the consecration of the granite temple of Sri-Arruttali-Perumanadigal at Mudiyur in auspicious Revathi star, on Saturday in the Tamil month Thai in 4044th Kaliyuga year.

View from North-west corner

Legend has it that king Chokkalingam, attracted by the mystifying red lotus flower in the water tank, attempted to get hold of the flower. The flower kept moving in a circle around the tank. The king lost his patience and shot an arrow at the flower. King fainted on seeing the entire tank water turned red. After sometime when he gained conscious, he found a Shivalinga with the scar on the head. The Shivalinga was consecrated and this temple structure was built by him on the south bank of the Pennai river. The river course and changed over a period of time and now the river Malattar flows on its left. Since the Lord appeared with scar, he got the name Mudeeswarar (முடீஸ்வரர்) and the village during Parantaka I Chola rule was known as 'Mouli Gramam' (மௌலி கிராமம்). Over a period of time, the village is simply called as 'Gramam.'  The temple is popularly called as 'Tirumundeeswaram,' a transformation from 'Tirumudeeswaram' (திருமுண்டீஸ்வரம்).  Another interpretation is that Thindi and Mundi are the Dwarapalakas of the Lord Shiva and Mundi worshiped Him at Mundeeswaram and Thindi worshiped Him at Thindeeswaram (present Tindivanam).  The Lord is referred to as ‘Aattruthali Mahadeva’ (ஆற்றுத்தளி மகாதேவர்) in the inscriptions.

Rajagopuram, Main Sanctum, Murugan Sanctum (behind), Goddess at left

The five tier rajagopuram and the tall and huge perimeter wall encloses the vast temple complex.  The temple has wide and spacious corridor.   The temple architecture is identified  as "Somaskanda form" i.e., the sanctum of the Muruga shrine is flanked by the sanctum of the prime deity on the right and the goddess's sanctum on the left.  

Sivalokanathar aka Mundeeswarar or Mudiswarar

The prime deity is Lord Sivalokanathar aka Mundeeswarar or Mudiswarar (Lord of the crown) appear as Shivalinga in the main sanctum. Rajagopuram, Bali Peetam, Nandhi, and the Main Sanctum (Sivalokanathar) aligned in the same axis. There is no flagpost at the entrance. The niches, at the entrance, the positions of the shrines of Vinayaka and Muruga are interchanged. Lord Nataraja appears in a separate shrine. The prime sanctum is connected to the ardhamandapa and ornate four pillared mukhamanadapa. 

 

Mundi

Thindi

The entrance between the mukhamandapa and mahamandapa is flanked by two free standing heavily ornamented Dwarapalakas with peaceful appearances: Thinda on your left and Munda on your right. The pushpa palakai is loacted at the rear end of mahamandpa wall is meant for flower garland making. The mahamandapa also houses the Chola style idols of Saints: Tirugnanasambandhar, Appar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar. The mahamandapa is attached with 18 pillared open mandapa.  

The east facing vimana of the prime deity is  made out of granite substructure (from adishtana to prastara) and brick super-structure (hara, griva and shikara) studded with with stucco images. The external walls of the vimana has upana, jagadi, tri-patta kumuda mouldings and can be termed as simple  Padabandha adhishtana. The pada of the vimana and ardhamandapa have five deeply cut niches flanked by ornate pilasters. The niches on the south and north ardhamandapa walls houses the Chola style idols of Vinayaka and Durga respectively.

The southern vimana wall houses the sanctum of the unique Chola period Lord Rishaba Dakshinamurthy appear seated on His Rishaba Bull vahana (mount) on a hill instead of under the Kallala tree (Banyan tree). Sthanaka Vishnu appear in the niche of the western vimana wall. Brahma appear in the niche of the northern vimana wall.

The east facing shrine of Goddess Soundaryanayaki aka Kanarkuzhali, the consort of the presiding deity, is located on the left side of the prime sanctum. Like the main sanctum this also  built with granite and the super structure (hikara, griva and stupi) with brick and mortar. Goddess Soundaryanayaki appear in a standing posture. The niches are bereft of any deities / sculptures.

The shrine of Lord Muruga appears behind the prime sanctum. The Lord's left hand shows Narasa mudra and right had abhaya mudra. Navagriha shine is located just before the Durga.  There is a separate shrine for Aiyanar. The seven Sapta Matrika idols and the Yoga Guru (Virabhadra) are arranged in a row at the north corridor. Also there is the unique Pallava Durga idol.

Tirumundeeswaram is the 51st shrine  glorified by Devaram hymn (தேவார பாடல் பெற்ற தலம்) and the 19th among the 22 Shiva shrines of nadu nadu canonized by Devaram.  The Lord is revered by the Devaram hymns of Thirunavukkarasar aka Appar. 

Saptamatrika & Yoga Guru

Durgai (Pallava)

Bairavar

Dakshinamurthi (Parantaka I)

History

Parantaka Chola I (முதலாம் பராந்தக சோழன்) (907 - 955 A.D.) further extended  the Chola territory founded by Vijayalaya Chola (விஜயாலய சோழன்) and Aditya Chola I (முதலாம் ஆதித்த சோழன்). He earned the title 'Mathirai konda Koparakesari' (மதிரைகொண்ட கோப்பரகேசரி) at the third year of his rule (910 A.D.) after invading Maravarman Rajsimha II 's (இரண்டாம் மாறவர்மன் இராஜசிம்மன்) Pandya kingdom and capturing its capital city 'Madurai.'  After loosing the first battle, Maravarman Rajsimha II sought the help of Ilam (ஈழம்) (Sri Lanka) king and an Ilam army under the command of Chakka Senapati (சக்க சேனாபதி) came to Tamilakam to support Pandya. Parantaka I at the eighth year of his rule (915 A.D) defeated the combined army of Pandya and Ilam in Vellore (வேலூர்) by Parantaka's generals Pazhuvettaraiyar (பழுவேட்டரையர்) and Kandan Amudanaar (கந்தன் அமுதனார்). This victory earned Parantaka the title Parantaka got a title - 'Maduraiyum Eezhamum Konda Kopparakesari' ( "மதிரையும் ஈழமும் கொண்ட கோப்பரகேசரி") as well as usurping more Pandya regions to Chola territory.

The Chola dynasty received support from many local kings and feudatories. During the reign of Parantaka Chola I Pazhuvettaraiyar (பழுவேட்டரையர்) and Kodumbalur Velir (கொடும்பாளூர் வேளிர்) extended their support to the Chola king.  Pazhyvettaraiyars have their origin from kerala. They also made their presence in the heartland of Chola i.e, Kila-Paluvur (கீழப்பழுவூர்) and Mela-Paluvur (மேலப்பழுவூர்), in the Udaiyarpalayam taluk of the Tiruchirapalli district and managed to survive in very high ranks in the Chola kingdom.

Parantaka Chola I had numerous wives, among whom no fewer than eleven come out in the inscriptions: three of them were from Paluvettaraiyars' daughters -  Udaiya Pirattiyar Kokkilan Adigal (உடைய பிராட்டியார் கோகிலன் அடிகள்) daughter of the Chera king Rama Varma of Kulasekara dynasty; Arumoli Nangai (அருள்மொழி நங்கை), the daughter of another Chera king Paluvettaraiyar Kandan Amuthan, who ruled from west Paluvur of the present Tirutchirappalli in Tamil Nadu bordering Kerala; Villavan Mathevi (வில்லவன் மாதேவி) probably the daughter of the Venad King (வேநாட்டு அரசர்) of the Chera country. Parantaka I had four sons i.e., Rajaditya Chola (இராஜாதித்ய சோழன்), Kandaraditya Chola (கண்டராதித்ய சோழன்), Arikulakesari aka Arinjaya Chola (அரிகுலகேசரி என்ற அரிஞ்சயன்) and Uttamasseeli Chola (உத்தமசீலி சோழன் ). The Parantaka had Rajaditya, elder son and Kandaraditya second son by Udaiya Pirattiyar Kokkilan Adigal and Arikulakesari aka Arinjayan, the third son by Arulmoli Nangai.

Vijayaraghavadeva (A.R. No. 169 of 1912), believed as the Chera contemporary of Parantaka Chola I, is considered as the successor of Sthanu-Ravi the friend and ally of Aditya I (S.I.I., Vol. III, No. 89).

The Krishna II (இரண்டாம் கிருஷ்ணன்) (878–914 A.D.) Rashtrakuta king married his daughter to Adiya Chola I (870–907 A.D.). Aditya Chola I had his son Kannaradeva (கன்னரதேவா) aka Krishna III (மூன்றாம் கிருஷ்ணன்) by Rashtrakuta princess. After the demise of Aditya Chola I, Parantaka Chola I ascended the Chola throne in 907 A.D. instead of Kannaradeva, the grandson of Krishna II, the half-brother of Parantaka I. Rashtrakuta king Krishna II decided to force the issue of his grandson and therefore waged a war against Parantaka Chola I with the support of his feudatory allies i.e., Banas and Vaidumbas. However Parantaka I thwarted Krishna II and his allies in a pitched battle at Vallala aka Tiruvallam (presently located at Vellore district) some time between 911 - 912 A.D. The invaders fled back to Rashtrakuta court and influenced Kannaradeva aka Krishna III to wage a war against Parantaka Chola I.

The situation increased responsibility of increasing the defence at the north-west gateway (வடமேற்கு எல்லை). The demise of Parantaka Chola I 's loyal vassal Ganga Pritvipati II (கங்க அரசன் இரண்டாம் ப்ரிதிவி) in 940 A.D. has also weakened the defence in the north-west gateway. The Rashtrakuta army under the command of Krishna III mounted attacks into the north-west gateway and its contiguous territories between 940 and 949 A.D. However Parantaka Chola I was very much conscious about the repercussions and made his defence preparedness against emergency situations.  At Mudiyur (முடியூர்) aka Mouli Gramam in Tirumunaipadi Nadu he maintained a strong army garrison (படைவீடு) under the command of his elder son Rajaditaya Chola. The army was stationed in the forms of local garrisons and in cantonments called Kadagams (கடகம்). He was ably supported by his brother Arikulakesari aka Arinjaya Chola. The arrangements served its purposes for a quite a number of years.

Vallabhan Kumaran (வல்லபன் குமரன்) aka Vellan Kumaran (வெள்ளான் குமரன்) or Vellankumaran (வெள்ளாங்குமரன்) was the son of Rajasekharan, the first king (feudator) of Valluvanadu as well as the Governor of Vallabha Rashtra under Chera king. There are inscriptions on king Rajasekharan. From incriptions it is learned that Vellan Kumaran was the native of Nandikkaraiputtur in Chera country (present Kerala). He also served as the general of the Chola Prince Rajaditya.

It was in 949 A.D. Krishna III invaded and received the support of his brother-in-law and his Western Ganga feudatory Butuga II (இரண்டாம் பூதுகன்) in this battle. Rajaditya faced the Rashtrakuta army and the decisive battle was fought at Takkolam (தக்கோலம்), small town located 14 km south-west of present Arakkonam town. It was well contested battle and the Chola cause suffered mainly on account of a chance arrow shot by Butuga having fatally wounded Rajaditya.  Atagur (a place near Mandya taluk, Mysore ditrict, Karnataka) inscriptions of Krishna III and Butuga II (இரண்டாம் பூதுகன்) serve a an important source telling how the Chola prince was treacherously murdered. Krishna III asumed the title of the conqueror of  'Kanchi and Tanjore.'

The inscriptions of Tiruvorriyur provides the narration about Vallabhan Kumaran, who was feeling guilty for his failure in saving the life of the Chola prince in Takkolam war. As a result he decided to renounce his worldly life and assumed the ascetic order. This Vallabhan Kumaran was known as Chaturana Pandithar (சதுரான பண்டிதர்)

Inscriptions:

E-stamping (2)

E-stamping (1)

From the 9th to 16th century CE, the temple was under the patronage of successive prominent South Indian dynasties such as the Rashtrakutas, the Gangas, the Cholas, the Hoysalas and the  Vijayanagara rulers.

Plenty of  Parantaka Chola I inscriptions are found in  Sivalokanatha Temple complex. 

1. A 23rd regnal year inscription on the southern wall of the vimana of Sivalokanatha records the gift of 90 sheeps for a perpetual lamp by Tirumunaipadi Nattar. (S.I.I No. 180 of 1906).
2. Another 24th year regnal year inscription of the same Chola ruler on the western wall of the vimana registers a sale of land to the temple of Sivalokanatha (S.I.I No. 181 of 1906).
3. Paranthaka Chola I 29th regnal year  inscription (S.I.I No. 182 of 1906) on the southern wall of of the vimana of Sivalokanatha  records about the provision made for burning perpetual lamp in the temple of  mulasthanattu-Mahadeva of Sri-Arruttali at Tirumudiyur by Kari Piraman (காரி பிரமன்), a servant of prince Rajadittadevar.
4. Some other 29th regnal year inscription of Paranthaka Chola I (S.I.I No. 183 of 1906) on the southern wall of the vimana enters a gift  of gold for burning a perpetual lamp in the temple of mulasthanattu-Mahadeva of Sri-Arruttali from the interest by a person and his name is not comprehensible from the inscription.
5. Yet another 29th regnal year inscription of  Mathiraikonda kopparakesari (Paranthaka Chola I) (S.I.I No. 183 of 1906) on the western wall of the vimana registers the gift of gold coin made by one Somadi (சோமாடி) and to light a perpetual lamp in the temple of  mulasthanattu-Mahadeva of Sri-Arruttali at Tirumudiyur from the 'Polisai' (பொலிசை) aka interest periodically accumulated over time. The bhttars of Adhanur (ஆதனூர் பட்டர் ) were made responsible for supplying one 'uzhakku' ghee (உழக்கு நெய்) to the temple.
6. One Vellan Kumaran, a native of Nandikkaraiputtur, Chera country, gifted sheeps for lighting a perpetual lamp in the temple when he was staying in this temple as the general of the Chola Prince Rajaditya.
7. Another 31st regnal year (938 A.D.)  inscription of Parantaka I records the gift of copper bell stand to the temple of Sri-Arruttali-Perumanadigal  by some army men of Prince Rajaditya.
8. The 32nd regnal year (939 A.D.)  inscription of Parantaka I records the gifts of gold and paddy made by Prince Rajadityadeva to Sri-Arruttali-Mahadeva at Tirumudiyur through the bhattars of Tiruvennainallur and Adhanur (திருவெண்ணைநல்லூர் மற்றும் ஆதனூர் பட்டர்கள்). 
9. One 35th regnal year (942 A.D.) incomplete  inscription (S.I.I No. 185 of 1906) of Parantaka I records the gift of utensils to be used during worship in the temple of Sri-Arruttali-Perumanadigal Probably by some army men of Prince Rajaditya.
10. Another 35th regnal year (942 A.D.) incomplete inscription (S.I.I No. 187 of 1906)  of Parantaka I records the gift of utensils used during worship in the temple of Sri-Arruttali-Perumanadigal probably by some army men of prince Rajaditya. 
11. Yet another 35th regnal year (942 A.D. ) damaged inscription (S.I.I No. 186 of 1906)  of Parantaka I registers the gift of a village tax-free made by the prince Rajadityadeva (probably with the specified income fixed as paddy and gold) for the disbursals of worship in the main shrine of the temple of Sri -Arruttali at Mudiyur.
12. One more 35th regnal year (942 A.D. )  inscription of Parantaka I  registers the land endowment made made by one Kovadi Udayar from Brahmapuri Nallurkandam in Mazhanadu for light two perpetual lamps to Sri-Arruttali-mulasthanattu-Perumanadigal at Tirumudiyur.
13. The 36th regnal year (943 A.D.) bilingual inscription of Parantaka I on the northern wall of the vimana includes 15 lines in Sanskrit grantha language and 23 lines in Tamil language. This inscription informs about Vellan Kumaran, a native of Nandikkaraiputtur, Chera country,  who built the granite temple of Sri-Arruttali-Perumanadigal at Mudiyur. Vellan Kumaran occupied an important position (மூலப்பிரித்தியர்) in Chola government and general of the Chola army.
14. The 39th regnal year (946 A.D.) unfinished inscription (S.I.I No. 192 of 1906)   of Parantaka I  mentions of  prince Rajadittadevar and the temple of Sriyarruttali-Perumal. 
15. One more 41st regnal year (948 A.D.) inscription of Parakesarivarman who took Madurai and Ilam (Parantaka Chola I)  (S.I.I No. 184 of 1906) records the gift of sheep for burning a lamp in the temple of Sri-Arruttali Mahadeva at Tirumudiyur by Madevan Visameli, a resident of Kurramangalam in Mangala-nadu. 

E-stamping (3)

Krishna III aka Kannara (r.939 – 967 A.D.) was the last powerful and efficient king of the Rashtrakutas.  He held titles such as Akalavarsha, Maharajadhiraja, Parameshvara, Paramamaheshvara, Shri Prithvivallabha etc. This dexterous military campaigner  played a vital role in rebuilding the Rashtrakuta Empire. He defeated  Parantaka Chola I at Takkolam.

Three inscriptions of Krishna III were copied from this temple. The 20th regnal year (959 A.D.) inscription of Krishna III (Kannaradeva) registers the gift of sheeps for lighting perpetual lamp. Another 22nd regnal year (961 A.D.) incomplete inscription of Kannaradeva is not clear. Yet another 25th regnal year (964 A.D.) inscription of Kannaradeva registers the gift made by Sri Sundar Tiruvoyan, the king of Vaidumba.

E-stamping (4): C.Veeraraghavan sir

The 4th regnal year inscription of Chola prince Aditya Karikalan aka Aditya II, the eldest son of Sundara Chola and the brother of Rajaraja Chola I, registers the gift made for burning the perpetual lamp. The 16th regnal year inscription of Rajendra Chola I informs this village as brahmadeyam of Mudiyur-nadu  (a subdivision) of Tirumunaipadi Nadu in Jayangonda-Solamandalam. The fourth regnal year inscription of Rajendra Chola II records the tax-free land grant made by the citizens of Kosapadi village made to the temple of Sri-Arruttali-Mahadeva in Parantaka chaturvedhi-mangalam of Mutiyur-nadu (a subdivision) of Tirumunaipadi Nadu in Jayangonda-Solamandalam. The 10th regnal year inscription of Rajendra Chola II records the perpetual lamp gift made to Sri-Arruttali-Mahadeva in Parantaka chaturvedhi-mangalam by Sathi Periyan.

The fourth regnal year inscription of Kulotunga Chola I registers the decision of the sabha of Parantaka chaturvedhi-mangalam, of Mutiyur-nadu (a subdivision) of Tirumunaipadi Nadu in Jayangonda-Solamandalam, to allow one Bhattanpuvan (பட்டன்பூவன்), after rechristening him as Parantaka Peraraiyan (பராந்தகப் பேரரையன்) to live in Ur Nattam (ஊர் நத்தம்) after receiving 20 kasu (coins) from him.

This is incised immediately below No. 190 and gives no introduction to the king. The 10th regnal year inscription (S.I.I. no. 190A of 1906) of Kulotunga Chola II records a gift of 72 sheep for burning “three fourth” of a perpetual lamp in the temple of Sri Arruttali-Mahadeva by Selvan Pallikondan alias Rajaraja-Periyaraiyan a kudippalli (farmer) of Sevalaimedu in Kaliyur-kottam a division of Jayagondasola mandalam to atone for the death of Madani Kulatturan of the village, caused by him [unconsciously?]. 

The 16th regnal year inscription (S.I.I. no. 188 of 1906) of Kulotunga Chola II records a gift of “there fourth” of a perpetual lamp to the to the temple of Sri Arruttali-Mahadeva at Parantaka-chaturvedimangalam (Gramam) by one periyan Kanavadi of salur in Mangala-nadu of Vanagappadi a division of Rajendrasola-valanadu in expiation of his having shot by mistake (while hunting) a resident of Enadimangalam (name not clear). 

The third regnal year inscription of Rajaraja II registers that the lands belonging to temple Sri Arruttali-Aludaiyar in Kulotunga Chola Chaturvedhi-mangalam of Mutiyur-nadu were exempted from tax by one Anabhaya Kadavarayan aka Mohan Alapiranthan from Padikaval.

Three inscriptions of Jatavarma Sundarapandya I were copied from this temple:

The 15th regnal Year (1265-66 A.D.) inscription (S.I.I. no. 197 of 1906) of Jatavarma Sundarapandya I  on the west and south wall of the Selvambika Shrine begins with the prasasti Samasta-jagad-adhara etc. The inscription, damaged in places, registers another endowment by the king of 9 ½ veli of land, free of all taxes, for the expenses of the service instituted in the temple of Bokkanankuduttaruliya-Nayanar (பொக்கனங் கொடுத்தருளின நாயனார்) in the name of the ruling king by Vira-Pandya. Also refers about land grants made during the time of Kopperunjingadeva.  

The 18th regnal Year (A.D. 1268-69) inscription (S.I.I. no. 196 of 1906) of Jatavarma Sundarapandya I on the south wall of the Selvambika Shrine begins with the Sanskrit prasasti of the king, Samastajagad-adhara etc. The record is damaged. It appears to register an endowment of land made by the king expenses of worship and offerings to the deity of the day of a special festival instituted in his name, and for the formation of a garden where the god was to be taken in procession on such occasions. Provision is also made for the daily supply of 200 lotus flowers to the temple and of 2000 lilies on festival days by the grant of 2-¼ veli of land to one Vikrama-pandyan alias Sri Mulasthana-Velan for the purpose. The god is called Sriyarruttali Mulasthanam-Udaiyar Bokkanankuduttaruliya-Nayanar (பொக்கனங் கொடுத்தருளின நாயனார்).

The 19th regnal Year (A.D. 1269-70) inscription (S.I.I. no. 198 of 1906) of Jatavarma Sundarapandya I on the north and west walls of the Selvambika Shrine begins with the Sanskrit prasasti of the king,  Samastajagad-adhara etc. It is damaged in the middle portion. It registers another endowment of land tax-exemption by the king. However, the extent of the land and the purpose of the gift are missing. Out of this land one veli was to be set apart as jivita for Vikrama-Pandyan alias Sri Mulasthana-velan (mentioned in No. 196 above) for a (further) daily supply of 1200 lotus flowers to the temple.  

Reference

1. Ancient Indian History and Civilization ed.2. By Sailendra Nath Sen. New Delhi, New Age International Publishers, 1988. pp. 479 - 480.
2. Chronological history of Malabar: Ancient political history of Malappuram, Valluvanad. ( http://c-radhakrishnan.info/malabar.htm )
3. Treasures of Chola Empire in Cauvery Delta: Veera Narayana 'Veeranam' Lake. Prasannasankar. Jul 19th, 2015 in Indiamike.com (http://www.indiamike.com/india/tamil-nadu-f40/treasures-of-chola-empire-in-cauvery-delta-t161671/5/)
4. Lecture on the temple by Dr. Padmavathi Anaiappan,  retired Senior Epigraphist, Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department, Chennai. 

Heritage Trail: Thiruvallam, Melpadi, Mahendravadi and Pullalur 5

Two Obelisks: Cap.James Hislop & Lt.Col.George Brown Battle of Pollilur 1781

After the visit to the historical Mahendravadi rock cut cave temple, we proceeded on our journey to our next destination - Pullalur, the historical Battlefield. Pullalur is also known for its ruined brick sanctum sanctum and 60 feet shikara of Sri Varadharaja Perumal temple, new Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple and the Kailasanathar temple built during  Narasimha Pallava Period with inscriptions.

Obelisks Amidst Paddy fields

We continued our journey through Nemili - Senthamangalam road and continued up to Kammavarpalayam on the Arakkonam - Kanchipuram road and took left turn and proceeded on the single lane road. After lot of guidance through GPS system as well as by the locals we could view two obelisks standing erect amidst paddy fields. Moving across roads, lanes and by-lanes we reached a village street dotted with houses and cattle sheds.

Seedling Trays used in Paddy Nursery

Behind the houses the obelisks were standing majestically amidst lush green paddy fields. We walked across the furrows of the paddy fields and viewed the 'tray nursery method' using Paddy Seedling Tray in the paddy nurseries. Clouds catch the last red-orange rays of the setting sun. The cool puff of gentle breeze produced lashing waves in paddy leaves. 

Kombai S Anvar Explains

Mr.Kombai S.Anvar, former freelance journalist and photographer, an independent researcher in South Indian history and in particular Muslim history, was explaining us the history, causes of Anglo Mysore war and the actual Battle of Pollilur (1780 & 1781) with the aid of a field map. As there was paucity of time, we could not cover the temples. We returned back to Chennai via Govindhavadi, Valthur, Maduramangalam, Sunguvarchatram and Sriperumbudur.

Pullalur or Pollilur (புள்ளலூர் அல்லது பொள்ளிலூர்), a historical urban village (Latitude 12.970 and 79.705 Longitude) located in Kanchipuram taluk (காஞ்சிபுரம் வட்டம்), Kanchpuram district (காஞ்சிபுரம் மாவட்டம்), Tamil Nadu Pin Code 631553, has been the site of three historic battles - 1. the Battle of Pullalur (611-12 A.D.) -  Pallava king Mahendravarman I vs the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II, 2. the Battle of Pollilur (1780) and 3. Battle of Pollilur (1781) as part of the Second Anglo-Mysore War between Hyder Ali and the East India Company. Lush, tropical vegetation flanked both sides of the muddy road. Carts loaded with fodder bales and the flocks of buffaloes and cows blocked the traffic. The vast stretches around this non descriptive villages are filled with green patches of agricultural fields, grazing lands, bushes, shady trees, hay stacks, manure heaps and cattle sheds.  The village is part of Pullalur Village Panchayat and as per census 2011 it has a population of 2,843 and 72.86 % literacy rate. People in this village make their living through agriculture. Kancheepuram is nearest town to Pullalur village.  

Battle of Pullalur (611 or 612 A.D.)

Pulakeshin II (இரண்டாம் புலிகேசி) (610 - 642 A.D.) the most celebrated swayer of the Chalukya dynasty (சாளுக்கிய வம்சம்) secured his northern border, then moved south against his  great rival Mahendravaran I (முதலாம் மகேந்திரவர்மன்) (600–630 A.D.) the first well known among the long line of the great Pallava rulers (பல்லவர்கள்). Durvinita (துர்வினிதா) (529–579 A.D.)  of the Gangas dynasty (கங்க வம்சம்) from the West and the Pandyan king Jatavarman (ஜடவர்மன்) from the South aided the Chalukya king. In the pitched battle of Pullalur in 611 or 612 A.D. (date of this battle is in dispute) Mahendravarman I and his General Paranjothi (பரஞ்சோதி) were decisively defeated and Chalukya army laid siege to the Pallava capital at Kanchipuram, but failed to conquer the capital. Though Mahedravarman I saved his capital, he lost the northern provinces to Pulakeshi II. 

The battle of Pullalur initiated an enduring line of conflict between Chalukya and Pallava in the South India. The defeat was avenged by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I son of Mahendravarman I when he defeated and killed the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II at his capital Badami (வாதாபி - Vatapi). The chapter 24 of the Tamil novel 'Sivakamiyin Sabhatham' (சிவகாமியின் சபதம்) by Kalki R. Krishnamurthy narrates the Battle of Pullalur (click here for English Translation of the Chapter).

The four military confrontations (First Anglo-Mysore War 1767–69 A.D.; Second Anglo-Mysore War 1780–84 A.D.; Third Anglo-Mysore War 1790–92 A.D.; and Fourth Anglo-Mysore War 1799 A.D.) between the British East India Company and the Mysore rulers were known as Anglo-Mysore Wars.

Hyder Ali (1761–1782)

1761 - Hyder Ali, the commander-in-chief, known for his administrative acumen and military skills, made himself ruler of state of Mysore and determined in expanding his territory.   

First Mysore War (1767–69)

1766  - The British East India Company aligned with the Nizam of Hyderabad. This was against Hyder Ali for which the East India Company was offered the Northern Sarkars as cession. 

1768  - However the Nizam of Hyderabad kept himself aloof and the East India Company faced Hyder Ali alone. 

1769  - Hyder Ali stormed the Company's Government in Madras and dictated 'peace treaty of Madras' on the basis of the status quo.

Second Mysore War (1780–84)

1780 - The army of Hyder Ali was one of the largest armies in India. Hyder Ali made a treaty with the Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad and convinced both of them not to fight against British or Hyder Ali. 

However the Mysore army swept down the Eastern Ghats and burnt the villages. The British could not sense the attack for lack military intelligence. In addition to this 1. Hyder laid the siege of Arcot (near Vellore) and 2. Dispatched his son Karim to Porto Novo (near Chidambaram).

To lift the siege of Arcot, the British Government also marched the force from Madras under the command of Maj. Gen. Sir Hector Munro. Of course Hyder Ali expected this move and moved to deal with the British troop. His intelligence also alerted about the reinforcement or the additional troop comprising 4,000 - 7,000 men, under Colonel William Baillie,  marching from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh to Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu (475 km). Col.William Baille had intention to join with Lt. Gen. Sir Hector Munro (1778-1782) in Kanchipuram and Baille's force reached Pollilur (18 km from Gen Munro's position) on 06th September 1780.

Tipu Sultan (1782  – 1799)

Hyder Ali on the one side deputed his son Tipu Sultan with 2,000 - 3,000 men, cavalry and rocket corps and 18 guns to intercept Colonel Baillie who was on his way to join Sir Hector Munro and on the other side led another force by himself  to intercept Col. Braithwaite.

The army, comprising 5209 men including most of the native troops, one battalion of the company's European troops, and the grenadiers of another, and 800 highlanders, reported to Maj. Gen Sir Hector Munro at St.Thomas Mount and marched towards Kanchipuram.

Battle of Pollilur (1780)

Mural of the Battle of Pollilur on the walls of Tipu's summer palace (Wikipedia)

The Battle of Pollilur (Pullalur) took place on 10 September 1780 at Pollilur, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India as part of the Second Anglo-Mysore War. In the battle of Pollilur the Baillie's force faced the worst defeat in the hands of Tipu's force and suffered a high number of casualties. The forces of Munro and Baillie, though closer to each other, made no effort to unite. Two days after the battle Col. Baillie sent a note to Gen. Munro to push forward with the main force since he was unable to advance in the face of an enemy..

After three days (poor strategy and logistics) Gen. Munro dispatched the flank companies of the 73rd Highlanders under Captains David Baird and the Honorable John Lindsay, 2 companies of European grenadiers, and 11 companies of sepoys, all under the command of Col Fletcher. The reinforcement troops arrived late by taking circuitous route and strengthened the detachment of Col. Baillie. The combined force advanced further on the evening of 09th September 1780 to join with Gen. Munro. Not even a mile passed and the force fell in with the picket of Hyder Ali's army.

Mysore Rockets (Tipu Sultan) PC: Indiandefence.Wiki

The Rocket Corps of Mysore Army used the 'Mysore rockets' (sword and blade thrust rockets) against Col.William Baillie's force and against ammunition stores. By the hit of Tipu's rocket would have detonated the ammunition store of Baillie.

These 'missiles' were fitted with swords (like fin stabilizer) and cruied several meters through the the flight path before coming down with edges facing the enemy target. The components of Mysore Rocket included the soft hammered iron tube, closed at one end, measuring about 8 inches (20 cm) in length and 1.5 to 3 in (3.8 to 7.6 cm) in diameter. The iron case was strapped to a 4 ft (1 m) long bamboo shaft. The iron case filled with black powder or solid propellant provided the adequate combustion power and ballistics for the rocket to cruise and hit the terminal end or target. The iron cased rocket and the solid propellant provided higher thrust and long range for the rockets i.e, up to 2 km range. The Mysore iron rockets served as the base model for the Congreve rocket of the British rocket development project.

Col. Baillie was compelled to stay on the spot for the whole night without disturbance. Next day Baillie continued his march for two miles further and entered into a jungle. Hyder Ali had concentrated his army of 3 batteries around this spot (one in the centre of the grove, and one on each flank). Soon a field artillery of 57 cannons commenced the covering fire. Baillie's English column, marching in the form of square with the sick, and the baggage, and ammunition in the centre, was assaulted with huge force. After a despairing conflict of three hours duration, the brave English column was set to drive back at every point. "Hyder determined to retreat; and a rapid movement which Baillie made from the centre appeared to have decided the day. Orders were given to Col. Lally, a French officer in the service of the sultan, to draw off his men, and to the cavalry to cover the retreat, when in that instant two explosions were perceived in the English line, which laid open one entire face of their column, destroyed their artillery, and threw the whole into irreparable confusion!"  Encouraged by this attack, Hyder engaged his cavalry squadron and infantry armed with muskets and Baillie's column managed to repel the attack. Baillie's force was reduced to 400 men. Further rounds of fire killed or disabled Baillie's men  and reduced them further. Still the sworded officers and bayoneted soldiers were able to repulse 13 rounds of fire. Soon cavalry of Hyder joined the attack. Col. Baillie wanted to save few brave men and therefore showed the flag truce. Thus  Col.William Baillie was compelled to surrender.  On hearing the defeat, Sir Hector Munro retreated back to Madras, after dumping his baggage and Cannons in a Water Tank in Kanchipuram.

Baille surrenders to Hyder Ali. PC Wikipedia

Colonel Baillie's Dungeon

Col. Baillie's Dungeon & Memorial @ Srirangapatna (Near Mysore)

Baillie and few of his surviving officers and soldiers were captured and taken as a war hostage to Srirangapattana.  There the hostages were thrown into a dungeon by Hyder Ali, and were treated with such barbarity. The dungeons at the underground can be found even today at the north of Ranganatha Swamy temple, close to Lal Mahal Palace about 15 kms from Srirangapattana. The dungeons, built using brick and lime mortar, measures 30.5 mts in length and 12.2 mts in width. Tipu Sultan used these dungeons to imprison the war prisoners. The prisoners were chained to the stone slab attached to the east, west, and north sides of the wall and it was then filled half-way with water. The dungeon's were surrounded by a deep moat to prevent escape. The dungeon prison was named after Colonel Baillie's Dungeon, since the brave officer died here on May 13th 1782.

Reaction by British Government in India 

After the Battle of Pullalur (1780), Hyder Ali renewed the siege of Arcot with full strength. The utter defeat of the British forces in the encounters with the Mysore Army rocked Warren Hastings,  the first Governor of the Presidency of Fort William (Bengal) and thereby the first de facto Governor-General of India from 1773 to 1785. Hastings arrived in Madras shortly after the end of the First Anglo-Mysore War. A fresh troop under the command of  General Eyre Coote left from Bengal to engage Hyder along with the existing British troop. Eyre Coote came to Madras and took command from Hector Munro. Eyre Coot marched the troop into the Carnatic and occupied Cuddalore. Both the troops engaged in a war at Porto Novo and the British marched as victorious. Further reinforcement troops also marched to Cranatic. Hyder made futile attempts to stop the troops.

Battle of Pollilur (1781)

Lt.Gen.Eyre Coote (Wikipedia)

The British East India Company led by Lt. General Eyre Coote (1745–1783) and the Mysore Army engaged in another battle in Pollilur 27th August 1781. The venue was the same Pollilur in which a Col. Baillie's force was almost completely killed or captured. Gen. Eyre Coote's army engaged the troops of Tipu on one side and the troops of Hyder on the other side. The battle lasted for eight hours on August 27, 1781. Hyder's army faced severe casualties and drawn back to Kanchipuram. Shortage of provision made Lt.Gen. Coote to move his forces towards Thirupachur. Though Hyder got defeated the battle remained in decisive.

Two Obelisks were built by the British in Pullalur in memory of two British Officers who died in the Battle on 1781. The first one for Captain JAMES HISLOP,  an officer of much promise and another for Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE BROWN, an officer of merit and experience.  It is learned that Brigadier-General James Stuart and Colonel George Brown lost one leg each from the same cannon ball, and the latter succumbed to the injury. The local villagers called these Obelisks  as Ghori.

The first obelisk, in memory of Captain James Hislop, displays the following text:

Plaque of Cap.James Hislop

 

The second  obelisk dedicated to Lieutenant Colonel George Brown bears the following text:

Plaque of Lt.Col.George Brown

This prolonged Second Anglo Mysore war was hotly contested, for the aged Sir Eyre Coote had lost his energy, and the Mysore army was not only well disciplined and equipped, but skillfully handled by Hyder and his son Tipu. All of a sudden, Hyder died in 1782, the battle remained indecisive and peace was finally concluded with Tipu on 28 June 1784, on the basis of a mutual restitution of all conquests. This is called the “Treaty of Mangalore“.

How to Get There:

Pullalur village is located in Kancheepuram taluk of Kancheepuram district in Tamil Nadu, India.  It is located 14 KM towards North from District head quarters Kanchipuram. 23 KM from Walajabad. 67 KM from State capital Chennai. Pullalur Pin code is 631553 and postal head office is Edayarpakkam. Tirumalpur Rail Way Station, Takkolam Rail Way Station are the very nearby railway stations to Pullalur. 

Reference

1. Battle of Pollilur (1781) (Wikipedia)
2. Colonel Baillie's Dungeon -- Srirangapattana. Casey. diksoochi blogspot 13 January, 2008. 
3. In a forgotten land. Pradeep Chakravarthy. The Hindu February 27, 20115
4. Pullalur (Wikipedia)
5. The Battle of Pullalur and the Naturalization of the British on the Subcontinent. UC Press E-book collection, 1982 - 2004. University of California.