Preface....
Foreword....
Introduction....
Numismatic finds, Inscrib....
Roman Coins....
Punch Marked Coins From K....
Satavahana Coins....
Square Chera Coins....
Square Chola Coins From K....
Pallava Coins....
Coin Moulds....
Karur Archaeological Exca....
Karur Antiquities....
Alagankulam, An Indo Roma....
Epigraphical Evidence....
Satyaputra Inscription....
Literary Evidence....
Romans In Tamilnad....
Impact Of Roman Art....
Chera Karur....
Epic Age: Silappadhikaram....
Pallava Age....
Chola Age....
Sekkilar....
Arunagirinathar....
Karuvur Puranam....
Karur: Modern....
Poetic Karur....
Select Bibliography....
Preface
Karur in Trichy district of Tamilnad has been yielding in recent times an astonishing number of antiquities especially coins and inscribed objects both in quantity and variety from the Amaravathi river bed. The learned Tamil Scholar Francois Gros of the Ecole Francais Extreme Orient, Pondicherry suggested that I study all the recent Karur finds and assess their archeological significance and the role of Karur in the history of Tamil civilization. This book is in response to that suggestion. I am thankful to Dr. Gros for his keen interest in the subject and also valuable suggestions when the work was under preparation.
As the work progressed, it was becoming increasingly clear that Roman presence in Tamilnad either by themselves or by the Egyptian Greek subjects of them, had left far more deeper impact on the economy, defense, arts and architecture than hitherto visualised.
The Tamil literature makes it abundantly clear that the Tamils admired the work and products of the Romans for their quality and in a number of cases started imitating them. The issue of portrait coins with the legend and head of the local roiers is a clear pointer in this direction. The portrayal of men and animals on the local coins suggest Roman hand, who are praised for their artistic skill. The second point that emerges from this study is that Karur in Trichy district was undoubtedly the capital of the Cheras of the Sangam age. The third and perhaps the most crucial point that stands out is the date of Sangam classics. As some of the coins bear the names of the Chera rulers whose names are found in the Sangam classics could be placed only after the establishment of Roman trade on an impressive scale. It seems to me that the time has come to enlarge the field of enquiry into other areas and assess the impact of the Romans. One thing seems to be clear that beginning from the royalty and the rich merchants, the quality of life of the people seems to have been enriched by this contact.
Karur, Vellalur and Thimkkoilur finds of Roman gold coins and jewellery are of great significance to this study. I have categorised and illustrated a number of coins from Karur and tried to indicate the changing technological trends in minting coins. I have taken this opportunity to outline briefly the history of Karur through the centuries from different sources.
Sri Iravatham Mahadevan has been my close friend and a source of inspiration to me in the field of Tamil Brahmi studies. When the outstanding gold signet ring from Karur was found Mahadevan gave the photograph to me and encouraged me to write on its significance, instead of himself writing on it. It always reminds me of the Sangam chieftain Atiyaman who gifted the immortal fruit he obtained to the poetess Avvaiyar, instead of himself benefitting from it. I express my profound thanks to Sri Mahadevan for readily agreeing to my request and giving the foreword which reflects the historic association we had with the subject.
It is a pleasure and privilege to be intimately associated with Thim.R.Krishnamurthi of Dinamalar whose keen interest in the field of Numismatics, has brought to light several new finds. In fact his discoveries of the Chera coins Makkotai and Kuttuvan Kodai and Peruvuluti Pandya coin area land marks in South Indian numismatics. I am beholden to him for kindly permitting me to study some of his coins and also use some of the illustrations in this book.
Pollachi Vailal Dr.N.Mahalingam who has enriched Tamil literature, music and dance by his liberal patronage is a keen scholar in the field of ancient history and civilizations. I am ever thankful to him for his kind encouragements.
Dr.F.Grimmel, the Director, Ecole Francais Extreme Orient Pondicherry evinced deep interest in this study and it is my duty to thank him for the same.
My thanks are Also due to Thiru V.K.Rajamani, Madras, Thiru. Raman I.A.S., and Alakkudi Seetharaman who have permitted me to use some of their photographs in this book.
Four happy coincidences bring Karur studies closer to my heart. 1) I was the first to read the Satyaputra Atiyaman Neduman Anji inscription of Jambai which was first discovered by my student Thiru.Selvaraj. 2) I had the privilege of undertaking the first archaeological excavation at Karur as the then Director of Archaeology of Tamilnad State. 3) I brought to light for the first time the inscribed Chera coin Kollippurai and 4) The first Roman coin (of Valentine) was unearthed at Alagankulam in a stratified layer in the archeological excavation conducted under my direction, which is of immense archeological value for chronology. I present my studies as a participant in Karur history.
R.Nagaswamy