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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
‘10th-century' Jain sculpture discovered
Pudukottai: Archaeology enthusiasts said they have discovered a 10th-century Jain sculpture at Vellala Kottaiyur in Thirumayam in Pudukkottai district. A Manikandan, founder of the Pudukkottai Archaeological Research Forum and a researcher at the department of archaeology, Tamil University, Thanjavur, identified the sculpture as that of Mahavira. He said the sculpture was spotted by a govt employee amid bushes. Manikandan said the sculpture is 90cm high, 47cm wide, and belongs to the 10th-century sculptural tradition. "This sculpture belongs to the Chola-period sculptural tradition of the 9th–10th centuries CE. During this time, Jainism flourished in the Pudukottai region and several sculptures from the period were discovered in the region," he said. "This sculpture is considered an important testimony to the Jain heritage of the Pudukottai region and highlights the need for immediate conservation," he added. Mohammed, joint secretary of the forum, Radhakrishnan, Arul Muthukumar, Themavur Nandan, and Pudukai Pudhalvan were also involved in the field study.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
The 4 copper plate inscriptions that detail reign, deeds of King Rajendra Chola
Rajendra Chola I, the illustrious son of Raja Raja Chola I, expanded the frontiers of the Chola empire beyond the Indian subcontinent. Not only military conquests across South and Southeast Asia but also generous land grants and temple patronage marked his reign (1012-1044 CE). Among the most valuable records from Rajendra Chola's time are four sets of copper plate inscriptions discovered at different locations across Tamil Nadu. These inscriptions shed light on Chola lineage, temple endowments, and military expeditions. The books, Sozhar Ceppedugal by Ve. Mahadevan and Ka. Sankaranarayanan (Tamil University, Thanjavur) and Sozhar Kaala Ceppedugal by former IAS officer M. Rajendran (Akani Publishers), provide insights into copper plate inscriptions of various Chola kings, especially Rajendra Chola. Tiruvalangadu Plates The Tiruvalangadu Copper Plates were first mentioned in the Annual Report of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for 1903-04. A detailed account appeared in the Madras Epigraphical Report of 1916. The plates were later published in Volume III of South Indian Inscriptions by epigraphist Rao Bahadur H. Krishna Sastri. This set comprised 31 copper plates, with the first 10 inscribed in Sanskrit and the remaining 21 in Tamil. The inscription was divided into three parts: the Sanskrit section, the first Tamil section, and the second Tamil section. According to epigraphist V. Venkayya, the Tamil parts were considered earlier, with the Sanskrit section possibly added later. The second Tamil section referred to the sixth regnal year of Rajendra Chola I, placing it around 1018 CE. The plates were linked together by a circular copper seal with royal emblems, including two fly-whisks on either side of a royal parasol, a tiger (the Chola emblem), two fishes (the Pandya emblem), a bow (the Chera emblem), a boar (the Chalukya emblem), a Swastik, and two lamps. Weighing 93.05 kilograms, these plates recorded the royal order of Rajendra Chola gifting Palaiyanur village to the Tiruvalangadu Shiva temple (in Tiruvallur district). The Sanskrit section, with 271 lines, traced the Chola genealogy in a mythological lineage starting from the Sun. The Tamil section contained 524 lines, of which 145 lines described the royal order, 281 lines described the boundaries of the land grants, and 98 lines outlined the tax exemptions and other privileges. Karanthai Plates The Karanthai Copper Plates were discovered in a field at Puthur village near Ammapettai in Papanasam taluk of Thanjavur district. Initially referred to as the Puthur Copper Plates, they were renamed after being preserved by the Karanthai Tamil Sangam at Karunthattankudi, near Thanjavur, in the late 1940s. They had reportedly been discovered six decades earlier on land belonging to Sevu Pandiyan. The Karanthai Tamil Sangam acquired the plates with assistance from a local development officer. The set comprised 57 copper plates, weighing 111.73 kilograms, linked by two large copper rings, one of which was broken. The remaining ring bore the royal seal featuring the emblems of the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Cheras, and the Chalukyas, along with lamps, the royal parasol, and fly-whisks. Scholars identified three distinct sections, likely composed at different stages. The first section, written in Sanskrit and numbered continuously, appeared to have been compiled later. The second section, consisting of 22 plates inscribed in Tamil with 1,042 lines, detailed a major land donation. The third section, also in Tamil, comprised 32 plates and 1,456 lines, recording information about temples and listing land grants to 1,080 Brahmins. Several of the 54 Tamil plates bore the word 'Thiribu', referencing the gifted village — Thiribhuvana Mahadevi Chaturvedimangalam — named in honour of Rajendra Chola's mother. The plates were issued in 1020 CE (his eighth regnal year). Tirukkalar Plates The Tirukkalar Copper Plates were discovered at the Parijathavaneswarar Temple at Tirukkalar, a village nearly 20 kilometres southeast of Mannargudi, in Tiruvarur district. The temple yielded a set of five copper plates inscribed in Tamil and 23 stone inscriptions, all from the Chola period. The five plates, weighing 6.59 kilograms, were linked by a copper ring. The earliest among them was dated to around 1030 CE (the 18th regnal year of Rajendra Chola). These plates detailed a land grant made to the Mahadevar Temple at Tirukkalar, which was part of the 'Purangkaranbai Nadu' in the 'Arulmozhi Deva Valanadu'. Of the 30 lines inscribed on the plate, 28 narrated the king's genealogy and achievements, while the final two lines detailed the land donation. Esalam Plates The Esalam Copper Plates were discovered at Esalam near Tindivanam on July 11, 1987, during the renovation of a Shiva temple. The finds included 15 copper plates, several bronze icons, and ritual objects. Esalam was the first site where all three types of historical artefacts were unearthed together. A similar triad was later found at Tiruindalur (in Mayiladuthurai district) in 2010. R. Nagasamy, then Director of the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology, studied the plates and confirmed that they belonged to the reign of Rajendra Chola. They were dated to 1036 CE (his 24th regnal year). Among the bronze icons was a statue of Sarva Siva Pandithar, believed to be Rajendra Chola's guru. These plates, engraved on both sides, were bound by a copper ring with a seal bearing the emblems of the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Cheras, and the Chalukyas, along with lamps, the royal parasol, and fly-whisks. The plates contained 424 lines: 80 in Sanskrit and 344 in Tamil. The inscriptions opened with Rajendra Chola's genealogy in Sanskrit. The Tamil portion detailed his land grants to the temple built by Sarva Siva Pandithar and listed the regions conquered during his reign. His 'meikeerthi' (royal eulogy) said the famous Vidyadhara Torana was brought from Kadaram (Kedah in Malaysia) and was depicted on the seal of this set of copper plates.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
The copper chronicles that detail the reign and deeds of Rajendra Chola I
Rajendra Chola I, the illustrious son of Raja Raja Chola I, expanded the frontiers of the Chola empire beyond the Indian subcontinent. Not only military conquests across South and Southeast Asia but also generous land grants and temple patronage marked his reign (1012-1044 CE). Among the most valuable records from Rajendra Chola's time are four sets of copper plate inscriptions discovered at different locations across Tamil Nadu. These inscriptions shed light on Chola lineage, temple endowments, and military expeditions. The books, Sozhar Ceppedugal by Ve. Mahadevan and Ka. Sankaranarayanan (Tamil University, Thanjavur) and Sozhar Kaala Ceppedugal by former IAS officer M. Rajendran (Akani Publishers), provide insights into copper plate inscriptions of various Chola kings, especially Rajendra Chola. Tiruvalangadu Plates The Tiruvalangadu Copper Plates were first mentioned in the Annual Report of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for 1903-04. A detailed account appeared in the Madras Epigraphical Report of 1916. The plates were later published in Volume III of South Indian Inscriptions by epigraphist Rao Bahadur H. Krishna Sastri. This set comprised 31 copper plates, with the first 10 inscribed in Sanskrit and the remaining 21 in Tamil. The inscription was divided into three parts: the Sanskrit section, the first Tamil section, and the second Tamil section. According to epigraphist V. Venkayya, the Tamil parts were considered earlier, with the Sanskrit section possibly added later. The second Tamil section referred to the sixth regnal year of Rajendra Chola I, placing it around 1018 CE. The plates were linked together by a circular copper seal with royal emblems, including two fly-whisks on either side of a royal parasol, a tiger (the Chola emblem), two fishes (the Pandya emblem), a bow (the Chera emblem), a boar (the Chalukya emblem), a Swastik, and two lamps. Weighing 93.05 kilograms, these plates recorded the royal order of Rajendra Chola gifting Palaiyanur village to the Tiruvalangadu Shiva temple (in Tiruvallur district). The Sanskrit section, with 271 lines, traced the Chola genealogy in a mythological lineage starting from the Sun. The Tamil section contained 524 lines, of which 145 lines described the royal order, 281 lines described the boundaries of the land grants, and 98 lines outlined the tax exemptions and other privileges. Karanthai Plates The Karanthai Copper Plates were discovered in a field at Puthur village near Ammapettai in Papanasam taluk of Thanjavur district. Initially referred to as the Puthur Copper Plates, they were renamed after being preserved by the Karanthai Tamil Sangam at Karunthattankudi, near Thanjavur, in the late 1940s. They had reportedly been discovered six decades earlier on land belonging to Sevu Pandiyan. The Karanthai Tamil Sangam acquired the plates with assistance from a local development officer. The set comprised 57 copper plates, weighing 111.73 kilograms, linked by two large copper rings, one of which was broken. The remaining ring bore the royal seal featuring the emblems of the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Cheras, and the Chalukyas, along with lamps, the royal parasol, and fly-whisks. Scholars identified three distinct sections, likely composed at different stages. The first section, written in Sanskrit and numbered continuously, appeared to have been compiled later. The second section, consisting of 22 plates inscribed in Tamil with 1,042 lines, detailed a major land donation. The third section, also in Tamil, comprised 32 plates and 1,456 lines, recording information about temples and listing land grants to 1,080 Brahmins. Several of the 54 Tamil plates bore the word 'Thiribu', referencing the gifted village — Thiribhuvana Mahadevi Chaturvedimangalam — named in honour of Rajendra Chola's mother. The plates were issued in 1020 CE (his eighth regnal year). Tirukkalar Plates The Tirukkalar Copper Plates were discovered at the Parijathavaneswarar Temple at Tirukkalar, a village nearly 20 kilometres southeast of Mannargudi, in Tiruvarur district. The temple yielded a set of five copper plates inscribed in Tamil and 23 stone inscriptions, all from the Chola period. The five plates, weighing 6.59 kilograms, were linked by a copper ring. The earliest among them was dated to around 1030 CE (the 18th regnal year of Rajendra Chola). These plates detailed a land grant made to the Mahadevar Temple at Tirukkalar, which was part of the 'Purangkaranbai Nadu' in the 'Arulmozhi Deva Valanadu'. Of the 30 lines inscribed on the plate, 28 narrated the king's genealogy and achievements, while the final two lines detailed the land donation. Esalam Plates The Esalam Copper Plates were discovered at Esalam near Tindivanam on July 11, 1987, during the renovation of a Shiva temple. The finds included 15 copper plates, several bronze icons, and ritual objects. Esalam was the first site where all three types of historical artefacts were unearthed together. A similar triad was later found at Tiruindalur (in Mayiladuthurai district) in 2010. R. Nagasamy, then Director of the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology, studied the plates and confirmed that they belonged to the reign of Rajendra Chola. They were dated to 1036 CE (his 24th regnal year). Among the bronze icons was a statue of Sarva Siva Pandithar, believed to be Rajendra Chola's guru. These plates, engraved on both sides, were bound by a copper ring with a seal bearing the emblems of the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Cheras, and the Chalukyas, along with lamps, the royal parasol, and fly-whisks. The plates contained 424 lines: 80 in Sanskrit and 344 in Tamil. The inscriptions opened with Rajendra Chola's genealogy in Sanskrit. The Tamil portion detailed his land grants to the temple built by Sarva Siva Pandithar and listed the regions conquered during his reign. His 'meikeerthi' (royal eulogy) said the famous Vidyadhara Torana was brought from Kadaram (Kedah in Malaysia) and was depicted on the seal of this set of copper plates.
New Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TN govt appoints V-C search panels for Dr Ambedkar Law University
CHENNAI/THANJAVUR : Three weeks after the landmark verdict of the Supreme Court granting 'deemed assent' to 10 bills that transferred powers to appoint V-Cs in many of the state-run universities from the governor to the government, the Tamil Nadu government has formed search panels for the appointment of V-Cs in Tamil University and The Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University. A three-member search panel — comprising Aruna Jagadeesan, retired judge of the Madras High Court, as the government's nominee, S Sachidhanandham, former V-C of the law university and former professor of National Law University (New Delhi), as the syndicate's nominee, and V Vijayakumar, former V-C of the law university, as the senate's nominee — has been constituted for selecting a new V-C for TN Dr Ambedkar Law University. The search panel for Tamil University consists of five members. Justice KBK Vasuki, former Judge of the Madras High Court, and K Deenabandu, former Chief Secretary of TN, will be the government's nominees. M Selvam, retired professor of Bharathidasan University, and M Thangaraju, former V-C of Periyar University, will be the syndicate's nominees, and S Rajendran, professor and head of economics department of the Gandhigram Rural Institute, will be the senate's nominee. Notably, the respective Acts governing these universities did not have a governor-chancellor's nominee in the search panel, unlike many other state universities. While the chancellor's nominees have been removed in some of these through 10 amendment bills cleared by the apex court, a few other universities still have the nominees. It is to be noted that the 10 bills transferred the powers of appointing V-Cs in 18 state universities. Higher education department officials said search panels for all other state universities will be notified soon.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
TN notifies VC search panels for 5 varsities
Chennai: Following a Supreme Court order granting it control, the state govt has notified vice-chancellor (VC) search panels for five state universities. While fresh panels were formed for Tamil University and Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University, the govt revived the panels formed earlier for Bharathiar University, Bharathidasan University and Periyar University. The panels will have four months to submit three names each to the govt, which will then choose the VCs. These panels were formed based on the university Acts and without nominees from UGC. The insistence on UGC nominees by Governor R N Ravi created a rift with the state govt and delayed appointment of VCs. At present, 11 of 22 state universities do not have VCs. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Higher education department sources said the state govt will form search panels for four more universities soon. The panel for University of Madras will be formed after getting assent from the President for amending the university Act. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jawa Barat: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Search panel for Bharathiar University includes former bureaucrat P W C Davidar and former VCs of University of Madras, P Duraisamy and G Thiruvasagam. Panel for Bharathidasan University has former bureaucrat K Deenabandu, S Subbiah, and M Rajendran, former VC of Tamil University. The panel for Periyar University includes former bureaucrat D Jothi Jagarajan, M Thangaraju, former VC of Periyar University, and M Bhaskaran, former VC of TN Open University. TN Dr Ambedkar Law University's vice-chancellor search committee will have Justice Aruna Jagadesan (govt nominee), professors S Sachidhanandam (syndicate nominee), and V Vijayakumar (academic senate nominee), both former VCs of the law university. Tamil University VC search panel will have Justice K B K Vasuki, retired judge of Madras HC (govt nominee), retired IAS officer K Deenabandhu (govt nominee), professor M Selvam (syndicate nominee), professor M Thangaraj, former VC of Periyar University (syndicate nominee), and professor M Rajendran, head of the department of economics, Gandhigram University (senate nominee). In the Tamil University VC search panel, the governor's nominee is replaced by the govt nominee.
