INSCRIPTIONS OF RAJAKESARIVARMAN 

No. 276.

(A.R. No. 561 of 1920.)

Udayargudi (near Kattumannarkoyil), Chidambaram Taluk,

South Arcot District.

On the south wall of the central shrine, Anantisvarasvamin temple.

This records the gift of a lamp-stand and an endowment of land for burning a perpetual lamp in the temple of Tiruvanantisvarattu-Paramasvami at Viranarayana-chaturvedimangalam, by Adittan Battalakan of Adumbantittai in Idaiyala-nadu.  An inscription probably of Sundara-Chola.

No. 277.

(A.R. No. 230 of 1923.)

Koyil-Tevarayanpettai (near Pandaravadai),

Papanasam Taluk,  Tanjore District.

On the north wall of the central shrine, Matsyapurisvara temple.

This records an agreement given by three servants of the temple to supply ghee for a perpetual lamp in the temple, and paddy for those bringing water for the sacred bath of the deity from the Kaveri, in return for the sheep and cows and money received by them at various times in the reign of [Madirai]konda-Marayar including his 19th year.  Probably this might refer to the reigning king himself, the Rajakesari of the record being equated with Sundara-Chola Parantaka II.  It is however not known that he had a reign of 19 years ; neither is it clear how that later regnal year could be referred to here except by some mistake.  Mention is made of a quarter called Solachulamanichcheri, evidently after a surname of the ruler.

No. 278.

(A.R. No. 237 of 1923.)

On the same wall.

This records an agreement given by Kamakkani Nakkan Tri[ya*]mbaka-Bhattan, a servant of the temple to supply a certain quantity of oil daily for lamps in the temple of Tiruchchelur-Mahadeva, for which he had received money from the temple in the 14th and 15th years of ‘Maharaya who took Madura’, and from a person named Nahesvara-Kramavittan in the 12th year of the same king, with personal security in each case.  ‘Maharayar who took Madura’ is evidently the reigning king, and the record is to be referred to Sundara-Chola Parantaka II.

No. 279.

(A.R. No. 387 of 1924.)

Melappaluvur, Udaiyarpalaiyam Taluk, Trichinopoly District.

On the north wall of the Cholesvara shrine, Agastyesvara temple.

This records the gift of a lamp-stand and 10 kalanju of gold for burning a perpetual lamp in the temple of Mahadeva at Avanigandharvapura a devadana in Kunrakurram, by Virasola-Anukkan Gunavan Dharanivallabhan a resident of the village, who deposited the money with the seven pattudaiyar (persons who had the right of worship) in the temple. Probably a record of Sundara-Chola.

No. 280.

(A.R. No. 149 of 1931.)

Tiruchchatturai, Tanjore Taluk, Tanjore District.

On the north wall of the central shrine, Odanavanesvara temple.

This records a gift of 100 sheep for a perpetual lamp in the temple of Mahadeva at Tiruchchorrutturai by the Chola queen (name not given).  The patipadamula and the devakanmi (servants) of the temple agreed to maintain the lamp.  This is probably a record of Sundara-Chola.

No. 281.

(A.R. No. 157 of 1931.)

On the west wall of the same shrine.

The inscription is damaged.  It registers an endowment of 20 kalanju for a lamp in the temple by Gunavan Puttan who left it in charge of the temple servants (patipadamula).  The donor has figured in No. 273 above and in another inscription (No. 348) published below.  This is probably a record of Aditya I.

No. 281A.

(A.R. No. 18 of 1934.)

Chintamani, Ponneri Taluk, Chingleput District.

On a pillar in the ardha-mandapa, Chintamanisvara temple.

This is an inscription of ‘Rajakesarivarman who took Madura’, i.e., of Sundara-Chola Parantaka II,  and is dated in the last year of his rule.  It states that one Kuditangi-Battalakan purchased land from the assembly of the (group of ?) three villages, Karungali, Kandal-nallur and Kandarpaga, and presented it free of all taxes to the temple of Mahadeva at Tiruppagavanrurai (evidently the present Chintamani) “which is an sacred on the Eastern Sea as Gokarna is on the West”.  The tenants of this land were to supply annually to the temple 10 nali of oil on every half site of land occupied by them.  The nattar of Paiyur-nadu together with others were charged with the protection of this sacred trust.  This and the next inscription are important as coming from the northern most region of the Chola dominion of the period.

No. 281-B.

(A.R. No. 21 of 1935.)

Kirappakkam, Chingleput Taluk, Chingleput District.

On a boulder in a field near the tank.

Like the above this is also evidently an inscription of Sundara-Chola, because of its high regnal year and similarity of writing.  It registers the gift of the valamanji (income derived) from the tank called [Ti]kkiri-eri in the village Kiraippattur  (Kirappakkam) which belonged to Kumarandai Ievanan of Nayaru in Nayaru-nadu, a subdivision of Pular-kottam by his wife Kandi, who should have inherited his property, in favour of the urar of the village for the (improvement of the) tank.  This valamanji is probably the same as the fee or toll valamanjadi mentioned in the Konerirajapuram inscription of Madhurantaka Uttama-Chola (S.I.I. III, p. 311) and in the Tiruvalangadu Plates (ibid., pp. 391 and 436).

No. 282.

(A.R. No. 30 of 1914.)

Tiruppanandal, Kumbakonam Taluk, Tanjore District.

On the south entrance into the central shrine, Arunajatesvara temple.

This records a gift of 90 sheep for a lamp in the temple of Tiruttatakai-Isvaragarattu-madeva-Bhatarar at Tirupparandal, a devanda in Manni-nadu on the north bank (of the Kaveri) by Kovan Amudan of Karuppur in the same nadu.

The fragment below this inscription is evidently of the same period and provides (for paddy) for offerings of the god and the goddess during two services in the temple with the income from some garden lands.

No. 283.

(A.R. No. 119 of 1914.)

Tiruverumbur, Trichinopoly Taluk, Trichinopoly District.

On the west wall of the central shrine, Pipilikesvara temple.

This is engraved immediately above No. 111 dated in the 5th year of the king and in the same characters.  It records an endowment of 6 ma of land by one Namban Kesuvan to provide for a perpetual lamp to god Tenkayilayattu-Mahadeva at Srikantha-chaturvedimangalam.  Thedonor purchased it before endowment from Nilan Kandan Tali a resident of Tirunerkunram and secured it from payment of taxes by a lump-amount of ten kalanju  paid to the sabha of the village as iraikaval.  This is assigned in the M.E.R. for 1915 (Part II, para 20) to a king subsequent to Parantaka I.  The inscription possibly belongs to Sundara-Chola.

No. 284.

(A.R. No. 155 of 1919.)

Kiliyanur, Tindivanam Taluk, South Arcot District.

On the south wall of the central shrine, Vaikunthavasa-Perumal temple.

This records an agreement by the sabha of Kilinalur in Oyma-nadu to feed 5 Brahmans daily, inclusive of (?) occasional pilgrims (to their village) and students (abhyasi), with the (interest on) 75 kalanju of gold received by them for the purpose from Nattupperuman, son of Valudaikkavidi Vallirumbu a native of Valudavur in Valudavur-nadu.  This is probably a record of Sundara-Chola.

No. 285.

(A.R. No. 169 of 1904.)

Tiruvakkarai, Villupuram Taluk, South Arcot District.

At the southern entrance into the central shrine, left side, Chandramaulisvara temple.

This records an endowment of 15 ½  kalanju of gold left in charge of the sabha of Eyirrur in Palaiyur-nadu by Pugalttunai-adiyar, mother of Vilupperaraiyar Aiyakkutti-adigal (the lady mentioned in No. 317 below), to provide for burning a lamp in the temple of Karrali-Perumanadigal at Tiruvakkarai, with an ulakku of ghee to be supplied daily by the assembly.  This might be assigned to the time of Aditya I.

No. 286.

(A.R. No. 110 of 1914.)

Tiruverumbur, Trichinopoly Taluk, Trichinopoly District.

On the west wall of the central shrine, Pipilikesvara temple.

This records a gift of 1 ½ ma of land for burning a lamp in the temple of Mahadeva on the sacred hill at Srikantha-chaturvedimangalam, a brahmadeya on the southern bank (of the river Kaveri) by Channasarman of Erumanam Pidaranjey, a resident of the village.  The perunguri-sabha of the village agreed to maintain the gift (tax-free) for a lump-sum of gold towards its taxes received from the donor.  In continuation of this inscription is engraved No. 111 of 1914 of Parantaka I and hence it appears as if this record is one of Parantaka’s predecessor, viz., Aditya I.

No. 287.

(A.R. No. 118 of 1914.)

On the same wall.

This is engraved in continuation of No. 111 dated in the king’s 5th year and is in the same script.  It records an endowment of 6 ma of land freed from payment of taxes by a lump amount of ten kalanju of gold made to the sabha, by Tattan Sendi the wife of Agatyan Narayanan Nakkan  of Timmikudi, a member of the alunganam of Srikantha-chaturvedimangalam, to provide for a lamp and offerings to god Aditta-Bhattaraka in the temple consecrated by the donatrix herself on the hill. Evidently a record of Aditya I.

No. 288.

(A.R. No. 314 of 1904.)

Kudumiyamalai, Pudukkottai State, Melaikkoyil Temple.

The inscription registers a gift of 7 ½ kalanju of gold for a perpetual lamp in the temple of Tirumulattanattu-Perumanadigal at Tirunilakkunram by Nangaiyar-Nangai Dayanidiyar, the wife of (the chief) Perumbidugu-Muttaraiyar on behalf (in memory ?) of Nangai Vikkiramakesariyar, thedaughter of Muttaraiyar Nambi Manatongalar.  This is also evidently a record of Aditya I like No. 287 above.

No. 289.

(A.R. No. 352 of 1904.)

On the north wall of the same rock-cut shrine.

This records a gift of 40 kalanju of gold for a perpetual lamp in the same temple by Etti Kulavan of Pullangudi.

No. 290.

(A.R. No. 471 of 1904.)

Vedaranyam, Tirutturaipundi Taluk, Tanjore District.

On a pillar in the mandapa in front of the Tyagaraja shrine, Vedaranyesvara temple.

This is much damaged.  It seems to register an endowment providing for the maintenance of a perpetual lamp and for the sacred bath of the deity in the temple, and for special offerings on the day of Sadayam.  The alphabet of the record is early,  the hence the inscription may be assigned to the reign of Aditya I.

No. 291.

(A.R. No. 572 of 1904.)

Tiruvarur, Negapatam Taluk, Tanjore District.

On the west wall of the mandapa in front of the Achalesvara shrine in the 2nd prakara of the Tyagarajasvamin temple.

This records an agreement by the uravar of Tiruvarur to supply an uri of oil every day for burning 2 perpetual lamps before the god Tiru-Araneri-Udaiyar, for an endowment of three veli of land at Menmangalam made by a certain Kurukalan Tirumulattanat-Tondar.  The standard measure is called Tirunilakantan.  The writing belongs to about the twelfth century A.D.

No. 292.

(A.R. No. 237 of 1915.)

Brahmadesam, Cheyyar Taluk, North Arcot District.

On the south wall of the central shrine, Chandramaulisvara temple.

This records an endowment of a piece of land under the tank Tigaittiral-eri by Tiruppondai-Somasiyar (somayaji), son of Kumaradi-Bhatta-Vajabhejiyar (Vajapeyayaji) of Manarpakkam, a member of the alunganam of Rajamalla-chaturvedimangalam of Tiruvegambapuram in Damar-kottam, for the daily feeding of a Brahman at mid-day in the temple of Sripondai-Perumanadigal.  The gift was entrusted to the ganavariya-perumakkal of the temple.  This is possibly an inscription of Aditya I.

In the M.E.R. 1916, II, 8, the village has been surmised to owe its origin to one of the Western Ganga kings named Rajamalla.  No inscriptions of that dynasty have however been found at this place ; but there is one actually of a Rajamalla at Vallimalai in the same district (No. 6 of 1895).

No. 293.

(A.R. No. 477 of 1904.)

Vedaranyam, Tirutturaipundi Taluk, Tanjore District.

On a pillar in the mandapa in front of the Ramanathaesvara shrine, Vedaranyesvara temple.

This is an incomplete record.  It mentions Bakulam evidently a village in [Kana]pper-kurram in Pandi-nadu.  The subdivision occurs in the Bigger Sinnamanur Plates as Tirukkanapper-kurram (S.I.I. III 4, p. 462).  The alphabet is early and the the record may be one of Aditya I.

No. 294.

(A.R. No. 260 of 1921.)

Takkolam, Arkonam Taluk, North Arcot District.

On the south wall of the central shrine, Jalanathesvara temple.

The beginnings of lines of this inscription are built in.  This records an agreement by the sabha of Aparajita-chaturvedimangalam (evidently the ancient name of Takkolam), to burn a perpetual lamp in the temple of Tiruvurarkarrali-Mahadeva for 30 kalanju received by them.  The name of the donor is lost.  This seems to be a record of Aditya I  who is known from the Tiruvalangadu Plates to have wrested the Tondai-nadu from the Pallava Aparajitavarman (S.I.I., III, p. 386)

No. 295.

(A.R. No. 155 of 1928.)

Tiruppalanam, Tanjore Taluk, Tanjore District.

On the west wall of the central shrine, Apatsahayesvara temple.

This is damaged and incomplete and seems to record an endowment in land for the maintenance of 12 servants in the temple together with 2 kankatti (superivisors ?) and 2 gardeners, made by Ulagaperumal (king) at the request (of the residents of the village or the temple authorities ?).  The early script and the high regnal year of Rajakesarivarman seem to point to Aditya I  as the king intended.

No. 296.

(A.R. No. 324 of 1904.)

Kudumiyamalai, Pudukkottai State.

On the east face of the south pillar in the rock-cut shrine, Melaikkoyil temple.

This is damaged at the end.  It registers the gift of a kalanju of gold for the monthly supply of a nali of ghee, to the temple of Tirumerrali-Perumanadigal at Tirunilakkunram in Kunriyur-nadu, by one [Tiru]vaigadan.

No. 297.

(A.R. No. 277 of 1916.)

Tirakkol, Wandiwash Taluk, North Arcot District.

ON the west face of the boulder with Jaina images.

This inscription is much damaged.  It seems to record an endowment, the nature of which is not clear, to a Jaina shrine called Gangasurapperumballi at Raja[kesari]puram by Sri Gangaraiyan.  It also mentions another shrine called Maisuttapperumballi in the same place and a pallichchandam land situated in Tiruvidaikkali.

No. 298.

(A.R. No. 360 of 1924.)

Melappaluvur, Udaiyarpalaiyam Taluk, Trichinopoly District.

On the south wall of the Agastyesvara shrine, Agastyesvara temple.

This records a gift of 8 ma of land in the devadana  village Urangankudi after reclamation from its fallow condition, by Vettakkudan Vadugan Madavan of Poygaikkuruvidam by order of Paluvettaraiyan Kumaran Maravan, for a perpetual lamp in each of the two shrines in the temple of Amanigandarvva-Isvaragarattu-Mahadeva.  The chief is probably identical with Kumaran Kandan mentioned in No. 352 above.  The inscription seems to be assignable to Rajaraja I.

No. 299.

(A.R. No. 169 of 1928.)

Tiruppalanam, Tanjore Taluk, Tanjore District.

On the south wall of the central shrine, Apatsahayesvara temple.

This is damaged in places.  It records a gift of 397 ½  palam of (?) to the temple of Mahadeva at Tiruppalanam by Marpidugu Tirukkottiyur-Kalvan Amarkalan (or Makalan ?) Anai-Udaiyan.  The donor, to judge by his name, seems to have been a Muttaaiyar chief ruling over a tract of the Ramnad district.  A record of Aditya I.

No. 300.

(A.R. No. 5 of 1907.)

Tiruvisalur, Kumbakonam Taluk, Tanjore District.

On the south wall of the central shrine, Sivayoganatha Svamin Temple.

This records a tax-free gift of land at Mangalakudi by a Vellala named Nakkapiran of Perunkkurrakudi, as a provision for offerings during the ardhajama (midnight) service in the temple of Perumanadigal at Tiruvisalur (a part) of Amaninarayana-chaturvedimangalam.  Avaninarayana is a well known title of Pallava Nandivarman III.  The date of the record is given as ‘third’ in words with however the numeral 20 inserted above it.  This is very probably a record of Aditya I.