Cluster of Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, rock-cut cave temples, Jain sculptures as old as Sangam period and the excavations at Keezhadi, regarded as one of the biggest human habitations of Sangam Age... what more Madurai needs to assert as status as one of the oldest living cities in the world.
Yet the ancient city -- undeniably with immense potential for archaeological research -- craves for the attention of the Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai Circle. “Nowhere else in Tamil Nadu will you find such a concentration of monuments, artefacts, Brahmi inscriptions and sculptures. Though some of the ASI declared sites are fenced, there is no adequate maintenance. Some are even There abandoned, points out art historian K.T.Gandhirajan and justifies the need for a separate circle in Madurai to help with better maintenance, more man power and more funds allocation.
When ASI’s excavation wing organised a survey four years ago along the Vaigai River Basin that runs across Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanthapuram, the team identified 293 Sangam age towns of which 90 were habitation sites. “Madurai is a city that witnessed continuous settlement. So, we shortlisted Keezhadi and the results were amazing. But the place still needs 10 more years to explore the hidden history,” says K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Guwahati Circle, the man behind Keezhadi excavations.
The survey also confirms there are still 200 more Sangam period towns waiting to be explored. The startling discovery of an urban habitation has drawn the attention of archaeologists and historians alike. “Like the Indus Valley civilisation that flourished along the Indus River, there are archaeological evidences to prove that urban civilisation was in existence along the Vaigai River,” says Amarnath.
“No doubt Keezhadi excavation is worthy archaeological evidence. But the Tamil Brahmi inscriptions and Jain sculptures and beds too belonged to the same period. They are standing testimony to the fact that simultaneously an equal and powerful rural habitation was in existence,” Gandhirajan says.
Continuous, long-term excavations in north India is quite common and they have led to the discovery of cities such as Pataliputra and Hasthinapur. “In Tamil Nadu, though we find strong literary evidences of Madurai being a city for thousands of years, we have very little archaeological evidences so far. Keezhadi is an eye opener in this context,” he says.
With more than 400 monuments under its control, it is hard on ASI, Chennai Circle to protect and maintain all of them. Whereas in Karnataka, which has more than 500 monuments, there are three ASI circles (Bengaluru, Dharwad and Hampi) and there is also a demand to bifurcate Dharwad and create a new circle with Bijapur as base. Ironically in Tamil Nadu, there are 10 ASI sub-circles of which none are in the southern districts. .
“Many consider monuments as dead assets but actually they are money spinners as is evident from the Taj Mahal and the Khajuraho caves which generate huge revenue for the respective towns. If a small town like Khajuraho has an airport and a string of star hotels, it is all because of the monument,” says D. Dayalan, former ASI Director (Monuments). “I have visited 72 rock-cut cave temples in Madurai and neighbouring districts, of which only a few have come under the supervision of ASI. If a separate circle with Madurai as base is created, there will be better attention and Madurai too will draw more people from all over the world,” he adds.
The State Department of Archaeology adopts monuments which do not come under the jurisdiction of ASI. There are around 85 monuments that come under its control of which 14 are in Madurai. Though many hero stones and Tamil Brahmi sites are identified, neither the ASI nor the State department come forward to take over and declare the finding as an artefact or monument. “Once declared the monument has to be protected and maintained properly and that needs funds,” says C. Santhalingam, epigraphist and retired archaeological officer.
“Also it is difficult to take over a monument for you need proper revenue record to ascertain its location and historicity, which is hard to get. The Arittapatti cave temple is yet to be declared a monument as it does not have a land survey number. There are too many official hurdles to cross before a site is declared as a monument,” Santhalingam says.
Each place has a cultural history to boast. North Tamil Nadu is associated with Paleolithic artefacts while Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri are linked to Hero Stones. Madurai is full of Brahmi sites and Thanjavur is packed with temples.
Geographically, politically and culturally, Madurai is the gateway to southern districts. It is not only a religious centre but an institution. Hence, a separate ASI circle with Madurai is a need of the hour.
Monuments in Madurai:
Tirumalai Naick Mahal, Ten Pillars lane, Mangulam Brahmi inscriptions, Jain sculptures in Yanaimalai and Keezhakuilkudi, Laadan Koil, Kovalan Pottal, Kongar Puliankulam, Vikkiramangalam, Varichiyur, Alagar Koil Tirumalai Naick Mandapam.
King Tirumalai Naick period Mandapam in Pappanam Village near Kariapatti in Virudhunagar district is recently declared monument by State Archaeology department. The Sevalpatti cave temple in Ramathevanpatti near Sivakasi is yet to be declared.
Abandoned sites:
Chithirakkal Podavu, an ancient rock art site near Usilampatti, is more than 2000 years old and it was a Paliya tribe watch tower. It was discovered by Gandhirajan and researcher Selvakumar.
Gandhirajan recently identified a 2500-year-old broken megalithic dolmen cist near Allikundam village, 10kms south of Usilampatti. This dolmen is found on the edge of Allikundam Kanmoi. Iron ore, flakes and megalithic potsherds are also found here.
