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Sunday, Mar 30, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
Finding is ascribed to 18th century AD Panel found outside sanctum sanctorum of Shiva temple KARUR: Personnel from the Department of Archaeology have discovered a stone panel depicting the Madurai royal couple of historic fame King Chokkanatha Nayakar and Queen Mangammal at Inungur village in the district. Based on the style of the accompanying script, the finding is ascribed to the 18th century AD. Speaking on the finding, Curator Naga. Ganesan of the Archaeology Department, Karur, said the regal couple was found engraved in the panel just outside the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord Shiva temple raised on the southern side of the Kattalai High Level Channel in Inungur, seven km from Pettaivaithalai. The accompanying inscription on the stone panel also speaks of one Gopalaiyyan, probably an influential person of the locality then. Mr. Ganesan pointed out that there was extreme famine during the period of Chokkanatha (1659-1682 AD) and local problems as also uprisings only added fuel to the fire. It was then that he shifted the capital from Madurai to Tiruchi in 1665. Till 1706 AD the Madurai Nayaks ruled with Tiruchi as their capital. To tackle famine and to help the suffering masses, the royals directed the local chiefs to mobilise people for carrying out work and pay for the work so that people get a mouthful and some money for their other expenditure. For her part, Queen Mangammal (1689-1706 AD) was known for her adroit leadership qualities and munificence besides the name she coveted for constructing numerous shrines, mandapams and other public utilities. Significantly, the recent discovery lies just off the famed Mangammal Salai that once connected Woraiyur in Tiruchi and Vanji, the ancient name of Karur. It is not out of place, Mr. Ganesan observed, to note that merchant guild inscriptions had been discovered earlier in Nangavaram, Pazhaya Jayamkondacholapuram, Kottaipatti and Velliyanai all served by the historic Mangammal Salai. The temple might have been raised to commemorate the glory of Madurai Nayaks Chokkanatha, Mangammal and their representative Gopalaiyyan. Gopalaiyyan could have donated land to the temple or he might even have been the benefactor of a choultry that fed numerous travelers and pilgrims and so the finding was of historic significance, Mr. Ganesan added.
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