An inscription dating back to the 14th century referred to as ‘Kanikkaaval Asiriyam stone’ has been unearthed at Vazhaimangalam village near Kundrandarkovil in the district.
It reads “svasthi shree vada siruvaayi naatu valuvamangalam pakaithalaippadiyaan keelakkurichiyaar aasiriyam visyavanjanalloor” and indicates that the village Vazhamanglam was earlier known as Valuvamangalam and formed part of Vadasiruvayi Nadu province.
The inscription gives details about the village being guarded by chieftains and the tax system introduced for this service. The village had been guarded by Keelakkurichiyar, Visayan Anjathavan and his name percolated into the village name as Visaiyanjanalloor.
The founder of Pudukkottai Archaeology Research Foundation, Manganoor A. Manikandan, who unearthed the inscription during a study, said that Vazhamangalam village was noted as Vada Siruvayi Nadu during the Chola era. A chieftain with a title ‘Keezhaikurichiyar’ had ensured its administration.
The Chola-era of 13th century followed by the Pandya reign marked the end of powerful governments in this area. In the 14th century landlords rose to power and functioned as regional rulers or chieftains in this belt.
The inscriptions of Pudukkottai samasthanam had revealed that they appointed patrol party to guard fields.
The taxing system, known as ‘Kadamai’ was in commensurate with the crop from land owners. The landless had parted with livestock, meat, ghee, milk towards tax.
The guards later took up the responsibility of setting up new ponds, maintain irrigation channels and ensured effective temple administration. Two inscriptions of the Samsthaanam testify to the fact that villagers of Keelakurichi were involved in guarding ‘Padi’ and rescued and restored the stolen livestock.
Usually these acts were inscribed in stone and displayed at public places including temples, fields or at the junction of village routes and termed as ‘asiriyam’. The Vazhaimangalam inscription is one among them, he said.
The inscription gives details about the village being guarded by chieftains and tax system introduced for this service
