(A monthly column about the unknown architectural gems of Tamil Nadu. This one describes how creative Pallava rulers were with temple inscriptions)
Almost all inscriptions have something to do with the king. Either they were commissioned by the king or they mention the reigning king of the day.
Pallava kings in the 5th to 7th centuries recorded inscriptions in creative ways. We have verses with hidden political import and the titles they gave themselves, including Mahamalla, the great wrestler, Vichitrachita, the innovative-minded, and so on.
Their inscriptions don’t always have historical data. It is from the reign of Raja Raja I that the Meikerti or prashasthi takes definite form. The long verse begins with Swastishri (prosperity be praised) and then Tirumagal Pola Perunila Chelviyum, which became the key clues thereafter through his reign.
After this definite line, the inscription goes on to recount the key events of his reign and his great deeds. Once this is done, comes the actual purpose of the etching, perhaps an administrative ruling or a gift and so on. Meikerti has become invaluable now to date the events of the king chronologically. They also have several references to constellation patterns that help date the reign.
In the epigraphy reports of the 1920s, this was essential. Every Meikerti was considered important since it extended the regnal dates of the king. Even today, the actual date of death of most kings is not known, and it is only surmised from the last Meikerti found of that king.
Raja Raja ’s verse runs into more than 200 lines in Tamil , which has fascinating details of not just the wars he fought and won but insights into how he fought them. It would be a wonderful chapter in any history textbook.
Vira Rajendra (1063-1070) has a poetic inscription where he is described as being always accompanied by bravery and clothed in sacrifice.
Kulotunga Chola was one of the kings who had different Meikerti – as many as six. He mentions how his feet were the crowns for the kings he had vanquished. Among the Pandya kings, the Meikerti of Maravarman Sundarapandyan (1215-1239) is the best. Beginning ‘Poomalar Tiruvum Porujaya Madandhaiyum,’ it recounts how he sacked the Chola kingdom and retired to his palace at Pon Amravati. Once there, when the defeated Chola king asked for his kingdom to be restored, Maravarman gave it back for his war was only to teach the Chola king a lesson. ‘Chonadu Kondu Arulia,’ becomes a key phrase reminding everyone of the Pandya ruler’s generosity. The record also mentions musical instruments such as Thutham, Kaikilai, Uzhai, Ili, Vilari and Tharam.
Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan (1252-1271) mentions how he covered the Srirangam Vimana with gold.
Jatavarman Parantaka Pandya mentions Kanni Bhagavati Ammai as his tutelary goddess. One Pandya Meikerti even mentions a trade delegation to China.
The Vijayanagar kings continued this tradition of inscription but their verses were very short, seldom more than 10 lines, with oft-repeated phrases and not always accurate. However, they still serve as invaluable sources to date regnal periods and key events.
(pradeep chakravarthy75 @gmail.com)
