தொலைக்காட்சி!!

இந்த வலைப்பதிவில் தேடு

ஞாயிறு, 6 மே, 2012

தமிழ் எழுத்துரு!!



தற்காலத்தில் பயன்படும் தமிழ் எழுத்துரு பொறிக்கப்பட்டதும் எமக்கு கிடைக்கப்பெற்றதில் மிகப்பழையதுமான (1870) (இற்றைக்கு 142 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முந்திய) நாணயக்குற்றி. இதில் கால் (1/4) என்பது தமிழில் `வ` என பொறிக்கப்பட்டிருப்பதையும் அவதானிக்க! நன்றி


/A stone-inscription with Indo-arabic numerals 355. Very strange, for at first the number looked like 1355, roughly a 100 years after the Darasuram temple was built. But later, Kingsley tells the number is 355...what looks like 1 is in fact a part of the previous letter. Kingsley also tells that in Tamil temples, numbers would be written out in words and not using numerals. Altogether a strange piece of writing.


beautiful and well-preserved ancient Tamil script at the 8th century Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchipuram


This script was found on the temple walls of the Tanjore Bragadeeshwara temple.


Kanceepuram 


கல்வெட்டு (Kalvettu - Kal = stone + vettu = Cut/carve/etch) at Kasi Viswanathar temple, at Tenkasi, Tamilnadu. A kalvettu recorded details such as the king of the province, his regnal year, his predecessors, the wars he fought in, the enemies he conquered. It lists the grants that king has made towards building that temple, who built it, and what kind of charities and donations will keep it afloat. This makes these kalvettu-s a great record of history.


Brihadeeswara temple


Stone inscriptions


Stone inscriptions in Tanjavur Temple. Dates back to 1010 AD.


Ancient Tamil Palm Manuscript 


This Tamil Language inscription was found in China. It was found about 500 miles north of Canton, in a place called Chuan Chou. This is a port city. It was an important port city in the ancient times also. 


This Tamil Language inscription was found in China. It was found about 500 miles north of Canton, in a place called Chuan Chou. This is a port city. It was an important port city in the ancient times also. 


A stone slab having a Tamil inscription, clearly in the alphabet of the Chola times, was found in Trincomalee( Srilanka/Eelam) while digging for cricket stadium construction work in 2010. The land where it was found is a part of the esplanade, on the right side of the Koa’neasvaram Road leading to the Siva temple inside Fort Frederick and is adjacent to the bay where the temple’s Theerththam (water cutting) ritual is held. Sometimes back, a Buddhist Vihara and another structure called Sanghamitta Buddhist Rest were constructed at this place


A stone slab having a Tamil inscription, clearly in the alphabet of the Chola times, was found in Trincomalee( Srilanka/Eelam) while digging for cricket stadium construction work in 2010. The land where it was found is a part of the esplanade, on the right side of the Koa’neasvaram Road leading to the Siva temple inside Fort Frederick and is adjacent to the bay where the temple’s Theerththam (water cutting) ritual is held. Sometimes back, a Buddhist Vihara and another structure called Sanghamitta Buddhist Rest were constructed at this place.


A stone slab having a Tamil inscription, clearly in the alphabet of the Chola times, was found in Trincomalee( Srilanka/Eelam) while digging for cricket stadium construction work in 2010. The land where it was found is a part of the esplanade, on the right side of the Koa’neasvaram Road leading to the Siva temple inside Fort Frederick and is adjacent to the bay where the temple’s Theerththam (water cutting) ritual is held. Sometimes back, a Buddhist Vihara and another structure called Sanghamitta Buddhist Rest were constructed at this place.


An inscription in Old Tamil script (Vatteluttu) from the Later Chola period, circa 11th century AD.


Tamil text in Asokan Tamil Brahmi - rock inscription at Sittanavasal
probably 4th. Century A
Tamil text in Sangam Tamil ( va÷÷e¸uttu )
Rock inscription at Thirunathar - probably 4th. Century A
Tamil text in 8th. Century AD Tamil with Grantha influence - Thirukaruppur
Tamil alphabet in 8th. Century AD - Inscription of Varaguna Pandyan
Tamil in the modern form is here becoming more recognizable 
Tamil alphabet in 8th. Century AD - Inscription of Varaguna Pandyan
Tamil in the modern form is here becoming more recognizable
Tamil alphabet in 8th. Century AD - Inscription of Varaguna Pandyan
Tamil in the modern form is here becoming more recognizable
Tamil alphabet in 11th. Century AD - Inscription of Rajendra Chola I
Tamil in the modern form becoming even more recognizable 
Tamil alphabet in 11th. Century AD - Inscription of Rajendra Chola I
Tamil in the modern form becoming even more recognizable

Tamil inscription in Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara mention its name as 
'sri jagatoppa kandan perumpalli'
Bilingual (Tamil & Chinese) inscription in China dated Saka era 1203 (1281 CE) Mentions the erection of deity Thirukkaniccuramudaiyar by one Sambandapperumal for the well being of 
Chinese emperor Cekacaikan Parman
Bilingual (Tamil & Chinese) inscription in China dated Saka era 1203 (1281 CE) Mentions the erection of deity Thirukkaniccuramudaiyar by one Sambandapperumal for the well being of 
Chinese emperor Cekacaikan Parman
Tamil Alphabets in Various Times
Inscription in verse on a pillar, Tamil Script, Mutharaiyar chiefs, 8th Century, Sendalai, Thanjavur Dist.
Rock cut cave temple inscription in Tamil Script,
9th Century, Maranjadaiyan, Tirukkokarnam, Pudukkottai District
Inscription In Tamil Script, Parantaka Chola 929CE, Gangaikondacholapuram, 
Perambalur District 

Inscription on Temple Base In Tamil Script, Early Chola 10th Century CE, Kodumbalur, Pudukkottai District
Village Assembly Election (Kudavolai) Inscription In Tamil Script, Parantakachola
921 CE, Uttaramerur, Kanchipuram District
Inscription In Tamil Script, Vikkirama Chola, 1121CE, Sendalai, Thanjavur District
Inscription In Tamil Script, Pandya, 
13th Century, Pillamangalam, 
Sivaganga District






16th Century Inscription in Later Tamil script, Murugamangalam, Tiruvannamalai District


Labels of Nayak Paintings in Later Tamil script - Alakarkoil, Madurai District, 17th Century


19th century Tamil Script on Palm leaves
Palm Leaf Manuscripts Thiruvaasakam
Palm Leaf Manuscripts
Bronzes of Chola Period 
Bronzes of Chola Period 
Bronzes of Chola Period
Tamil Brahmi Script
Development of the Tamil Brahmi Script into 
Vattezhuthu and Tamil Scrip

Tamil Brahmi Inscription at Tiruvadavur-Madurai 
Pottery with Tamil-Brahmini inscriptions, Berenike, Egypt, First Century A.D.
Pandya Copper coin with Tamil Brahimi Legend, Karur, First Century B.C 
Music inscription in Tamil Brahimi, Arachalur, Fourth Century A.D. 
Memorial Stela for a fighting cock, Vatteluttu inscription, Arasalapuram, Fifth Century A.D 


11th Century Hospital in Tamil Nadu
It can be acquainted about the medical services of the Chola kings from the inscriptions. A temple inscription of 11th century speaks in detail about a hospital functioned in the name of Vira Cholan Athura Salai. The hospital was founded in the name of king Vira Chola (1063-1069 AD). A Brahmin by the name of Savarna Kothandarama Aswathama Bhattan of Alampakkum was in charge of this hospital that had only fifteen beds. His title indicates he was also the chief consultant. The person who was second to the consultant is referred to as “the one who treats”. There were nurses (females) to assist him in caring the patients and administering medicine. An attendant was there to serve food and water purified by the addition of cardamom and the lamichcham (roots of Vetiveria zizanioides)
From the salary particulars revealed by this inscription, it is clear that the surgeon received much less remuneration compared to that of the consultant or his second in command. As we have observed earlier the departments of medicine and surgery were taken care of by two different classes of people. The profession of surgery was considered inferior to general medicine and had been performed by people belonging to lower classes. This could explain the salary differences between the physician and the surgeon in this ancient hospital.
The sculpture shown below depicts an event of surgery in ancient India. Persons belonging to various professions are involved in the process of surgery. Among them, the physician of the higher rank is seen with a turban, a bright aura around his head and a book in his hands. The person in the next rank is depicted here with a dull aura and without a turban but. The surgeon shown appears to be ordinary citizen as without any special feature to reflect his identity. He is neither wearing a turban nor any ornaments. The one who cares the patient is a female, probably a nurse or a relative to the patient. Though the surgeons were not respected and properly paid, there had been always a unique place for surgery in Ayurveda in the past.
Previously cited temple inscription also provides a list of medicines stored in the Vira Chola’s hospital. The list includes the following.
Vasa haritaki Dasamoola haritaki
Bilvatha haritaki Bala eranda Taila
Panchaka Taila Lasunathi eranda Taila
Uthamkarnathi Taila Mandura Vadakam
Sirovasthy Brahmium
Kadumpuri Kandiram
Vimalai Sunetri
Tamrathi Vajrakalpam
Kalyana lavanam

Sanskrit Name Latin Name
Vasa Adathoda vasica
Haritaki Terminalia Chebula
Bala sida cordifolia
Lasuna Allium sativum
Eranda Ricinus communis
Bilva Eagle marmelos
Ballathaka Semicarpus anacardium
Mandura Ferric oxide

Mandura means iron dust. Vadakam means dried medicinal balls. Maduram is the powder scattered while thrashing the iron rods in the iron smith workshops. This iron powder collected from soil, is mixed with cow’s urine and fried in a mud pan. This process is referred to as the purification of manduram (the iron dust).
Pararajasekaram, a Tamil medical text written in Sri Lanka in the 16th century describes the process of preparing Mandura Vadakam as follows: “the purified iron dust is mixed with lime juice and boiled. When the mixture reaches the semi solid state, dried ginger, black pepper, long pepper and garlic are added to it. The final product is made into dry pills. Mandura vadakam thus prepared when consumed with cooked rice and buttermilk will cure anemia.”
Vasa Haritaki, Dasamoola Haritaki and Bilvatha Haritaki are the medicines prepared with chebulic myrobalan. Ayurvedic texts often prescribe different kinds of Haritakii-based preparations to cure various diseases. Haritaki medicines are prepared by processing chebulic myrobalan by removing the seeds and inserting other herbal ingredients into it. Vasa Haritaki is a formulation that contains Adathoda vasica and Haritaki.
Taila refers to the medicated oil used for external application. Butter or a vegetable oil, especially, the sesame oil is used in such preparations. When castor oil is used in place of sesame oil the preparation is called Eranda Taila. When the herb known as bala (Sida cordifolia)) is used as the main ingredient of this medicated oil, the preparation is called Bala eranda Thailam. This oil is used to treat neck cramp, facial paralysis, noise in the ears and headache. Lasunadi Eranda Taila is a medicated oil in which garlic is the main ingredient.
It is clear that the Government sponsored hospitals of the Chola period (between 10th and 13th centuries) provided health care based on the traditional Ayurvedic system of medicine. At the same time, one cannot rule out the possibility of the existence of other local remedies as well as those prescribed by Yogis known as “Siddhars”.
 —
இது கல்வெட்டுகளில் இருந்து சோழ அரசர்களின் மருத்துவ சேவைகள் பற்றி தெரிந்திருக்க வேண்டும். 11 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டின் ஒரு கோயில் கல்வெட்டு Vira Cholan Athura சாலை என்ற பெயரில் செயல்பட்டு ஒரு மருத்துவமனை பற்றி விரிவாக பேசுகிறது. மருத்துவமனையில் மன்னர் Vira சோழ (1063-1069 கிபி) என்ற பெயரில் நிறுவப்பட்டது. Alampakkum என்ற Savarna Kothandarama Aswathama Bhattan பெயர் ஒரு பிராமணர் மட்டும் பதினைந்து படுக்கைகள் என்று இந்த மருத்துவமனையில் பொறுப்பாக இருந்தது. தனது பட்டத்தை அவர் தலைமை ஆலோசகர் இருந்தது குறிக்கிறது. ஆலோசகர் இரண்டாவது கொடுத்த நபர் "கருதுகிறது ஒருவர்" என குறிப்பிடப்படுகிறது. நோயாளிகள், caring மற்றும் மருந்து அளிக்க அவருக்கு உதவியாக செவிலியர் (பெண்கள்) இருந்தன. உதவியாளரா ஏலக்காய் மற்றும் lamichcham கூடுதலாக (Vetiveria zizanioides வேர்கள்) தூய்மையாக்கப்படும் உணவு மற்றும் தண்ணீர் சேவை செய்ய இருந்தது
இந்த கல்வெட்டு வெளிப்படுகிறது சம்பளம் விவரங்கள் இருந்து, அதை அறுவை சிகிச்சை ஆலோசகர் அல்லது கட்டளை தனது இரண்டாவது என்று ஒப்பிடுகையில் மிகவும் குறைவான ஊதியம் பெற்றார் என்பது தெளிவு. நாம் முன்பு தெரியவரவில்லை என மருந்து மற்றும் அறுவை சிகிச்சை துறைகள் மக்கள் இரண்டு வெவ்வேறு வகுப்புகளுக்கு இடையிலான கவனித்து. அறுவை சிகிச்சை தொழிலை பொது மருத்துவம் தாழ்வான கருதப்பட்டது மற்றும் குறைந்த வகுப்புகளை சேர்ந்த மக்கள் செய்யப்பட இருந்தது. இந்த பண்டைய மருத்துவமனையில் மருத்துவர் மற்றும் அறுவை இடையே சம்பளம் வேறுபாடுகள் விளக்க முடியவில்லை.
கீழே உள்ள சிற்பம் பண்டைய இந்தியாவில் அறுவை சிகிச்சை ஒரு நிகழ்வை சித்தரிக்கிறது. பல்வேறு தொழில்களில் சேர்ந்த நபர்கள் அறுவை சிகிச்சை செயல்முறை ஈடுபட்டுள்ளன. அவர்கள் மத்தியில், உயர் தர மருத்துவர் ஒரு டர்பன், அவரது தலையை சுற்றி ஒரு பிரகாசமான ஒளி மற்றும் அவரது கையில் ஒரு புத்தகம் உள்ளது. அடுத்த வரிசையில் நபர் ஒரு மந்தமான ஒளி மற்றும் ஒரு தலைப்பாகை இல்லாமல் இங்கு சித்தரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது ஆனால். தன் அடையாளத்தை பிரதிபலிக்கும் எந்த சிறப்பு அம்சம் இல்லாமல் காட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது அறுவை சாதாரண குடிமகனாக தோன்றுகிறது. இவன் ஒரு டர்பன் எந்த நகைகளை அணிந்து. நோயாளி கவனித்து அநேகமாக, ஒரு நர்ஸ் அல்லது நோயாளி ஒரு தொடர்புடைய ஒரு பெண் தான். அறுவை மரியாதை மற்றும் சரியாக வழங்கப்படவில்லை என்றாலும், எப்போதும் கடந்த காலத்தில் ஆயுர்வேதத்தில் அறுவை சிகிச்சை ஒரு தனிப்பட்ட இடம் ஏற்பட்டது.
முன்பு மேற்கோள் கோயில் கல்வெட்டு கூட Vira சோழ மருத்துவமனைக்கு சேமிக்கப்படும் மருந்து பட்டியலை கொடுக்கிறது. பட்டியல் பின்வரும் கொண்டுள்ளது.
Vasa haritaki Dasamoola haritaki
Bilvatha haritaki பாலா eranda Taila
Panchaka Taila Lasunathi eranda Taila
Uthamkarnathi Taila Mandura Vadakam
Sirovasthy Brahmium
Kadumpuri Kandiram
Vimalai Sunetri
Tamrathi Vajrakalpam
கல்யாண lavanam



சமஸ்கிருத பெயர் லத்தீன் பெயர்
Vasa Adathoda vasica
Haritaki தெர்மினலியா Chebula
பாலா sida cordifolia
Lasuna அல்லியம் sativum
Eranda Ricinus communis
வில்வம் கழுகு marmelos
Ballathaka Semicarpus anacardium
Mandura இரும்பு ஆக்சைடு

Mandura இரும்பு தூசு என்று பொருள். Vadakam உலர்ந்த மருத்துவ பந்துகளில் பொருள். Maduram இரும்பு ஸ்மித் பட்டறைகள் இரும்பு அடிக்க போது சிதறி தூளாகும். மண்ணில் இருந்து சேகரிக்கப்பட்ட இந்த இரும்பு தூள், மாடு மீது சிறுநீர் கலந்து மற்றும் ஒரு சேறு கடாயில் வறுத்த. இந்த செயல்முறை manduram (இரும்பு தூசி) சுத்தம் என குறிப்பிடப்படுகிறது.
Pararajasekaram, 16 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டில் இலங்கையில் எழுதப்பட்ட ஒரு தமிழ் மருத்துவ உரை பின்வருமாறு Mandura Vadakam தயார்படுத்தும் விவரிக்கிறது: "சுத்திகரிக்கப்பட்ட இரும்பு தூசி எலுமிச்சை சாறு மற்றும் வேகவைத்த கலக்கப்படுகிறது. கலவை பாதி திட நிலை, உலர்ந்த இஞ்சி, கருப்பு மிளகு, நீண்ட மிளகு, பூண்டு அடையும் போது அது சேர்க்கப்படும். இறுதி தயாரிப்பு உலர் மாத்திரைகள் தயாரிக்கப்படுகின்றன. சமைத்த அரிசி மற்றும் மோர் நுகரப்படுகிறது போது இவ்வாறு தயார் Mandura vadakam இரத்த சோகை குணப்படுத்தும். "
Vasa Haritaki, Dasamoola Haritaki மற்றும் Bilvatha Haritaki chebulic myrobalan கொண்டு தயாரிக்கப்படும் மருந்துகள் உள்ளன. ஆயுர்வேத நூல்கள் பெரும்பாலும் Haritakii அடிப்படையிலான ஏற்பாடுகளை பல்வேறு வகையான பல்வேறு நோய்களை குணப்படுத்தவும், பரிந்துரைப்பார். Haritaki மருந்துகள் விதைகளை நீக்கி அதை மற்ற மூலிகை பொருட்கள் செருகி செயலாக்க chebulic myrobalan தயார். Vasa Haritaki Adathoda vasica மற்றும் Haritaki கொண்டிருக்கும் ஒரு தயாரிப்பு ஆகும்.
Taila வெளி மென்பொருள் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் மருந்து எண்ணெய் குறிக்கிறது. வெண்ணெய் அல்லது தாவர எண்ணெய், குறிப்பாக, எள் எண்ணெய் போன்ற ஏற்பாடுகள் பயன்படுத்தப்படுகிறது. ஆமணக்கு எண்ணெய் எள் எண்ணெய் இடத்தில் பயன்படுத்தும் போது தயாரிப்பு Eranda Taila என்று அழைக்கப்படுகிறது. பாலா (Sida cordifolia)) என்று அழைக்கப்படும் மூலிகை இந்த மருந்து எண்ணெய் முக்கிய உட்பொருளாக பயன்படுத்தப்படுகிறது போது, தயாரிப்பு பாலா eranda Thailam என்று அழைக்கப்படுகிறது. இந்த எண்ணெய் கழுத்து பிடிப்பு, முக பக்கவாதம், காதுகள் மற்றும் தலைவலி சத்தம் சிகிச்சை பயன்படுகிறது. Lasunadi Eranda Taila பூண்டு முக்கிய மூலப்பொருள் இது ஒரு மருந்து எண்ணெய் உள்ளது.
இது அரசு சோழர் காலத்தில் (10 மற்றும் 13 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டுக்கு இடையில்) என்ற மருத்துவமனைகளில் மருத்துவம் பாரம்பரிய ஆயுர்வேத அமைப்பை சுகாதார வழங்கப்படும் ஸ்பான்சர் என்பது தெளிவு. அதே நேரத்தில், ஒரு பிற உள்ளூர் தீர்வுகளையும் இருப்பு சாத்தியம், அதே போல் "Siddhars" என்று அழைக்கப்படும் யோகிகள் பரிந்துரைக்கப்படும் அந்த அவுட் தலையிட முடியாது



Tanjore - Endless Tamil inscriptions describing its glory 

presenting below these two copper plates of Pallava King Aparajitavarman (900 AD) and Chola King Parantaka I (AD 907-955) for visual scrutiny and understanding. 

Codrington in his book ""Ceylon Coins and Currency"" published in 1924 and Mitchiner in his book ""Oriental Coins"" published in 1978 have clearly pointed out that the traditional design of Sri Lanka standing King Type Copper Massa (coins) of the Jaffna Arya Chkravartis from 1284 AD to 1410 AD always bore the Tamil legend SETU. Setu coins were previously attributed to the Setupati Princes of Ramnad. Codrington and Mitchner attribute them strongly to the Jaffna Arya Chkravartis. I am presenting below the obverse and reverse side of one of the coins issued by Jaffna Arya Chkravartis from 1284 to 1410 AD. In the book, "Yaalpana Iraachchiyam" (1992), Prof. S. Pathamanathan in his article on "Coins" notes:


Early kings of Jaffna, sometimes referred to as Ariyacakravarti, used names such as Segarajasekaran and Pararajasekaran, and used the epithets Singaiyariyan (Lord of Singaingar, the earlier capital of the Kingdom of Jaffna), SETUKAVALAN (Guardian of Setu or Rameshwaram) and Gangainadan (belonging to the country of the Ganga). Their emblems were a recumbent bull -nanthi-, a Saiva symbol, and the expression SETU, indicating the place of their origin, Rameshwaram. The term Setu was also used as an expression of benediction.


Several types of coins categorized as SETU BULL coins are found in large quantities in the northern part of Sri Lanka. I am illustrating one of the types of these Setu Bull Coins below. The obverse of this coin has a human figure flanked by lamps and the reverse has the Nandi (bull) symbol with the legend Sethu in Tamil with a crescent moon above.

P Pushparatnam in his brilliant paper ""Murukan Worship Sri Lanka: New Archeological Evidence"" has observed:"" The Europeans first employed the utilization of numismatics as a source for historical research in the 18th century AD. The European officers who were in charge of the Archaeological Survey of India and the Civil Service and other officers employed in India in the 19th century took interest in the collection and study of coins. In Sri Lanka, numismatics received wider attention in the 20th century. As important as epigraphically data is, numismatics is restricted in its content as few names or words and certain symbols in figurative form or forms appear in them. They are very valuable to reconstruct the history of a particular dynasty and its chronology. Evidence of the coins issued by the Sri Lankan Tamils is now available. This period ranges from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD. These throw a flood of light on various aspects such as the ancient language, script, genesis of Kingdoms, settlements of people, commerce, foreign relations and so on""

P Pushparatnam has analysed the following two coins issued by the Tamil rulers of Nallur in Jaffna who ruled during 13th - 17th century AD. We can see the inscription of the word SETU in Tamil, apart from the figures of Nandi and Peacock.


Leonard Wolf, husband of the great English novelist Virginia Wolf (1882-1941) worked as a British Civil Servant in Ceylon in the first decade of the 20th century. In one of his early News Paper articles, he has referred to the widespread use of old Setu Coins (with letters in Tamil) in circulation in Jaffna.

— with Arun Shanmugam Neyveli





presenting below these two copper plates of Pallava King Aparajitavarman (900 AD) and Chola King Parantaka I (AD 907-955) for visual scrutiny and understanding.


Codrington in his book ""Ceylon Coins and Currency"" published in 1924 and Mitchiner in his book ""Oriental Coins"" published in 1978 have clearly pointed out that the traditional design of Sri Lanka standing King Type Copper Massa (coins) of the Jaffna Arya Chkravartis from 1284 AD to 1410 AD always bore the Tamil legend SETU. Setu coins were previously attributed to the Setupati Princes of Ramnad. Codrington and Mitchner attribute them strongly to the Jaffna Arya Chkravartis. I am presenting below the obverse and reverse side of one of the coins issued by Jaffna Arya Chkravartis from 1284 to 1410 AD. In the book, "Yaalpana Iraachchiyam" (1992), Prof. S. Pathamanathan in his article on "Coins" notes:


Early kings of Jaffna, sometimes referred to as Ariyacakravarti, used names such as Segarajasekaran and Pararajasekaran, and used the epithets Singaiyariyan (Lord of Singaingar, the earlier capital of the Kingdom of Jaffna), SETUKAVALAN (Guardian of Setu or Rameshwaram) and Gangainadan (belonging to the country of the Ganga). Their emblems were a recumbent bull -nanthi-, a Saiva symbol, and the expression SETU, indicating the place of their origin, Rameshwaram. The term Setu was also used as an expression of benediction.


Several types of coins categorized as SETU BULL coins are found in large quantities in the northern part of Sri Lanka. I am illustrating one of the types of these Setu Bull Coins below. The obverse of this coin has a human figure flanked by lamps and the reverse has the Nandi (bull) symbol with the legend Sethu in Tamil with a crescent moon above.

P Pushparatnam in his brilliant paper ""Murukan Worship Sri Lanka: New Archeological Evidence"" has observed:"" The Europeans first employed the utilization of numismatics as a source for historical research in the 18th century AD. The European officers who were in charge of the Archaeological Survey of India and the Civil Service and other officers employed in India in the 19th century took interest in the collection and study of coins. In Sri Lanka, numismatics received wider attention in the 20th century. As important as epigraphically data is, numismatics is restricted in its content as few names or words and certain symbols in figurative form or forms appear in them. They are very valuable to reconstruct the history of a particular dynasty and its chronology. Evidence of the coins issued by the Sri Lankan Tamils is now available. This period ranges from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD. These throw a flood of light on various aspects such as the ancient language, script, genesis of Kingdoms, settlements of people, commerce, foreign relations and so on""

P Pushparatnam has analysed the following two coins issued by the Tamil rulers of Nallur in Jaffna who ruled during 13th - 17th century AD. We can see the inscription of the word SETU in Tamil, apart from the figures of Nandi and Peacock.


Leonard Wolf, husband of the great English novelist Virginia Wolf (1882-1941) worked as a British Civil Servant in Ceylon in the first decade of the 20th century. In one of his early News Paper articles, he has referred to the widespread use of old Setu Coins (with letters in Tamil) in circulation in Jaffna.


presenting below these two copper plates of Pallava King Aparajitavarman (900 AD) and Chola King Parantaka I (AD 907-955) for visual scrutiny and understanding.


Codrington in his book ""Ceylon Coins and Currency"" published in 1924 and Mitchiner in his book ""Oriental Coins"" published in 1978 have clearly pointed out that the traditional design of Sri Lanka standing King Type Copper Massa (coins) of the Jaffna Arya Chkravartis from 1284 AD to 1410 AD always bore the Tamil legend SETU. Setu coins were previously attributed to the Setupati Princes of Ramnad. Codrington and Mitchner attribute them strongly to the Jaffna Arya Chkravartis. I am presenting below the obverse and reverse side of one of the coins issued by Jaffna Arya Chkravartis from 1284 to 1410 AD. In the book, "Yaalpana Iraachchiyam" (1992), Prof. S. Pathamanathan in his article on "Coins" notes:


Early kings of Jaffna, sometimes referred to as Ariyacakravarti, used names such as Segarajasekaran and Pararajasekaran, and used the epithets Singaiyariyan (Lord of Singaingar, the earlier capital of the Kingdom of Jaffna), SETUKAVALAN (Guardian of Setu or Rameshwaram) and Gangainadan (belonging to the country of the Ganga). Their emblems were a recumbent bull -nanthi-, a Saiva symbol, and the expression SETU, indicating the place of their origin, Rameshwaram. The term Setu was also used as an expression of benediction.


Several types of coins categorized as SETU BULL coins are found in large quantities in the northern part of Sri Lanka. I am illustrating one of the types of these Setu Bull Coins below. The obverse of this coin has a human figure flanked by lamps and the reverse has the Nandi (bull) symbol with the legend Sethu in Tamil with a crescent moon above.

P Pushparatnam in his brilliant paper ""Murukan Worship Sri Lanka: New Archeological Evidence"" has observed:"" The Europeans first employed the utilization of numismatics as a source for historical research in the 18th century AD. The European officers who were in charge of the Archaeological Survey of India and the Civil Service and other officers employed in India in the 19th century took interest in the collection and study of coins. In Sri Lanka, numismatics received wider attention in the 20th century. As important as epigraphically data is, numismatics is restricted in its content as few names or words and certain symbols in figurative form or forms appear in them. They are very valuable to reconstruct the history of a particular dynasty and its chronology. Evidence of the coins issued by the Sri Lankan Tamils is now available. This period ranges from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD. These throw a flood of light on various aspects such as the ancient language, script, genesis of Kingdoms, settlements of people, commerce, foreign relations and so on""

P Pushparatnam has analysed the following two coins issued by the Tamil rulers of Nallur in Jaffna who ruled during 13th - 17th century AD. We can see the inscription of the word SETU in Tamil, apart from the figures of Nandi and Peacock.


Leonard Wolf, husband of the great English novelist Virginia Wolf (1882-1941) worked as a British Civil Servant in Ceylon in the first decade of the 20th century. In one of his early News Paper articles, he has referred to the widespread use of old Setu Coins (with letters in Tamil) in circulation in Jaffna.


presenting below these two copper plates of Pallava King Aparajitavarman (900 AD) and Chola King Parantaka I (AD 907-955) for visual scrutiny and understanding.


Codrington in his book ""Ceylon Coins and Currency"" published in 1924 and Mitchiner in his book ""Oriental Coins"" published in 1978 have clearly pointed out that the traditional design of Sri Lanka standing King Type Copper Massa (coins) of the Jaffna Arya Chkravartis from 1284 AD to 1410 AD always bore the Tamil legend SETU. Setu coins were previously attributed to the Setupati Princes of Ramnad. Codrington and Mitchner attribute them strongly to the Jaffna Arya Chkravartis. I am presenting below the obverse and reverse side of one of the coins issued by Jaffna Arya Chkravartis from 1284 to 1410 AD. In the book, "Yaalpana Iraachchiyam" (1992), Prof. S. Pathamanathan in his article on "Coins" notes:


Early kings of Jaffna, sometimes referred to as Ariyacakravarti, used names such as Segarajasekaran and Pararajasekaran, and used the epithets Singaiyariyan (Lord of Singaingar, the earlier capital of the Kingdom of Jaffna), SETUKAVALAN (Guardian of Setu or Rameshwaram) and Gangainadan (belonging to the country of the Ganga). Their emblems were a recumbent bull -nanthi-, a Saiva symbol, and the expression SETU, indicating the place of their origin, Rameshwaram. The term Setu was also used as an expression of benediction.


Several types of coins categorized as SETU BULL coins are found in large quantities in the northern part of Sri Lanka. I am illustrating one of the types of these Setu Bull Coins below. The obverse of this coin has a human figure flanked by lamps and the reverse has the Nandi (bull) symbol with the legend Sethu in Tamil with a crescent moon above.

P Pushparatnam in his brilliant paper ""Murukan Worship Sri Lanka: New Archeological Evidence"" has observed:"" The Europeans first employed the utilization of numismatics as a source for historical research in the 18th century AD. The European officers who were in charge of the Archaeological Survey of India and the Civil Service and other officers employed in India in the 19th century took interest in the collection and study of coins. In Sri Lanka, numismatics received wider attention in the 20th century. As important as epigraphically data is, numismatics is restricted in its content as few names or words and certain symbols in figurative form or forms appear in them. They are very valuable to reconstruct the history of a particular dynasty and its chronology. Evidence of the coins issued by the Sri Lankan Tamils is now available. This period ranges from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD. These throw a flood of light on various aspects such as the ancient language, script, genesis of Kingdoms, settlements of people, commerce, foreign relations and so on""

P Pushparatnam has analysed the following two coins issued by the Tamil rulers of Nallur in Jaffna who ruled during 13th - 17th century AD. We can see the inscription of the word SETU in Tamil, apart from the figures of Nandi and Peacock.


Leonard Wolf, husband of the great English novelist Virginia Wolf (1882-1941) worked as a British Civil Servant in Ceylon in the first decade of the 20th century. In one of his early News Paper articles, he has referred to the widespread use of old Setu Coins (with letters in Tamil) in circulation in Jaffna.


presenting below these two copper plates of Pallava King Aparajitavarman (900 AD) and Chola King Parantaka I (AD 907-955) for visual scrutiny and understanding.


Codrington in his book ""Ceylon Coins and Currency"" published in 1924 and Mitchiner in his book ""Oriental Coins"" published in 1978 have clearly pointed out that the traditional design of Sri Lanka standing King Type Copper Massa (coins) of the Jaffna Arya Chkravartis from 1284 AD to 1410 AD always bore the Tamil legend SETU. Setu coins were previously attributed to the Setupati Princes of Ramnad. Codrington and Mitchner attribute them strongly to the Jaffna Arya Chkravartis. I am presenting below the obverse and reverse side of one of the coins issued by Jaffna Arya Chkravartis from 1284 to 1410 AD. In the book, "Yaalpana Iraachchiyam" (1992), Prof. S. Pathamanathan in his article on "Coins" notes:


Early kings of Jaffna, sometimes referred to as Ariyacakravarti, used names such as Segarajasekaran and Pararajasekaran, and used the epithets Singaiyariyan (Lord of Singaingar, the earlier capital of the Kingdom of Jaffna), SETUKAVALAN (Guardian of Setu or Rameshwaram) and Gangainadan (belonging to the country of the Ganga). Their emblems were a recumbent bull -nanthi-, a Saiva symbol, and the expression SETU, indicating the place of their origin, Rameshwaram. The term Setu was also used as an expression of benediction.


Several types of coins categorized as SETU BULL coins are found in large quantities in the northern part of Sri Lanka. I am illustrating one of the types of these Setu Bull Coins below. The obverse of this coin has a human figure flanked by lamps and the reverse has the Nandi (bull) symbol with the legend Sethu in Tamil with a crescent moon above.

P Pushparatnam in his brilliant paper ""Murukan Worship Sri Lanka: New Archeological Evidence"" has observed:"" The Europeans first employed the utilization of numismatics as a source for historical research in the 18th century AD. The European officers who were in charge of the Archaeological Survey of India and the Civil Service and other officers employed in India in the 19th century took interest in the collection and study of coins. In Sri Lanka, numismatics received wider attention in the 20th century. As important as epigraphically data is, numismatics is restricted in its content as few names or words and certain symbols in figurative form or forms appear in them. They are very valuable to reconstruct the history of a particular dynasty and its chronology. Evidence of the coins issued by the Sri Lankan Tamils is now available. This period ranges from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD. These throw a flood of light on various aspects such as the ancient language, script, genesis of Kingdoms, settlements of people, commerce, foreign relations and so on""

P Pushparatnam has analysed the following two coins issued by the Tamil rulers of Nallur in Jaffna who ruled during 13th - 17th century AD. We can see the inscription of the word SETU in Tamil, apart from the figures of Nandi and Peacock.


Leonard Wolf, husband of the great English novelist Virginia Wolf (1882-1941) worked as a British Civil Servant in Ceylon in the first decade of the 20th century. In one of his early News Paper articles, he has referred to the widespread use of old Setu Coins (with letters in Tamil) in circulation in Jaffna.

1 கருத்து:

  1. தமிழர்களுக்கு இது மிகவும் முக்கியமான செய்தி இதை அனைவரும் பகிர்ந்துகொள்ளவேண்டும்.
    உங்களுடைய இந்த முயற்ச்சிக்கு என்மனமார்ந்த பாராட்டுக்கள்.

    பதிலளிநீக்கு