A stone inscription in Tamil, belonging to 19th century, has been discovered from a field at Panankattankudi near Nagar on Tiruchi-Lalgudi Road by research scholars of Dr.M.Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research, Tiruchi.
The inscription was deciphered by R.Akila, Assistant Professor, Arignar Anna Government Arts College, Musiri, and M.Nalini, Head, Department of History, Seethalakshmi Ramaswamy College, after being alerted by A. Ramanathan, a resident of the village and a student of history at the government arts college in Musiri.
The slab was found in the field of one Chithran Chettiar in the village.
In a press release, R. Kalaikkovan, Director, Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research, said the slab was partially buried near the boundary of the field and after clearing the surrounding earth with the help of locals it was found to measure 78 centimetres in height, 23 cm. in breadth and 10 cm. in thickness.
Forty-four lines of Tamil script was found inscribed on all four sides of the slab, which was well preserved on its broader sides whereas the letters on the narrower sides are much defaced and presented difficulty in reading. Two flywhisks are sculpted on each side on top of the slab with a conch in between.
The inscription records the gift of one and a half ‘kani’ of land by Andiyan, a resident of Panankattankudi, to Nachi Amman at Manakkal towards offerings and worship.
‘Ulavadai,’ probably referring to the right of cultivating the land, was entrusted with the temple authorities.
The land endowment to Nachi Amman was made in the Tamil year Rakshasa on the first day of the month Karthikai which may be equated to CE 1855 on palaeographical grounds, Dr. Kalaikkovan said.
The gifted land was situated on the east of Periya Sri Kattalai, probably a larger land endowment made to the same Amman.
The inscription mentions three nearby rural deities, Ayyanar of Panankattankudi, Karuppannaswamy of Pinnamaram at Nagar, and Virabhadrar of Manakkal as witnesses for the endowment made.
Dr. R. Kalaikkovan added that the centre has taken up a detailed study of Manakkal and the other brahmadeyas (land gifted to Brahmins) that had existed in and around Lalgudi.
