12th October 2019.
During the ancient period, Kongu Nadu had 20 trade routes, which connected important trade cities of ancient Chozha Nadu, Pandya Nadu, and Thondai Nadu with foreign merchants like Greeks and Romans. These trade routes connected the West Coast Chera port Cities with the East Coast Chozha and Pandya Trade cities through Palghat Pass. This trade route splits into three after Palghat Pass.
TRADE ROUTES ( PERUVAZHI)
The First route to Thondai Nadu passed through Coimbatore, Avinashi, Vijayamangalam, Erode, Salem, Eththapur, Kallakurichi, Villupram, Tindivanam, via Oymanattu Kindangil, and reached Mahabalipuram.
The second route, also called Rajakesari Peruvazhi to Chozha Nadu through Perur, Vellalore, Sulur, Palladam, Kangayam, Karur, Uraiyur, reached Poompuhar.
The third trade route, also called Veeranarayana Peruvazhi to Pandya Nadu through Anaimalai, Vadabhuthi Natham, Si. Kalayamuthur, Palani, Dindigul, Madurai, Thiruthangal, and reached Arugankulam.
In addition to this, the route originating from Karur was called Raja Mahendra Peruvazhi, and from Kozhumam, it was called Chozha Madevi Peruvazhi. There were Asura malai Peruvazhi, Adhiyaman Peruvazhi, Ayirai Peruvazhi, and Pidari Koil Peruvazhi, which also existed in Kongu Nadu. An American called “Bardon Stene“ mentions Kongu Nadu as "Peruvazhi Nadu".
THE ANCIENT KONGU NADU
The Kongu Nadu comes under mullai region (முல்லை - காடும் காடு சார்ந்த இடமும்) one of 5 natural regions (குறிஞ்சி, முல்லை, மருதம், பாலை, நெய்தல்), mentioned in ancient literatures, where Kongu Velirs transformed the forest in to farm lands and grazing lands. Apart from agriculture, the Velirs engaged in cattle husbandry. According to history, during the 9th century, a King called Kongu Vel ruled this region. In the Kongu region, the people faced the threat from wild animals, especially Tigers. To prove this, the Kongu region has the max number of Puli Kuthi memorial stones, or Pulikuthi Nadukrkal. The Cattle herd, which walks while grazing, forms a path which latter used by human beings to commute between the Villages and transport goods and materials. Kongu Nadu was also famous for gems and Stones. The Greek and Roman coins were unearthed in Kongu Trade cities like Perur, Vellalore (Velir + oor), Kodumanal, and Gems and stone ornaments were exported from Kongu Nadu. At Anaimalai 1st Century Daibrees kings' silver coins; at Vadabuthi Natham, 1500 silver coins. Kalayamuthur: 400 Roman coins, and at Vellalore, more than 500 Roman coins are found. Out of the Roman Coins found in India, 70% are from the Kongu region.
It is believed that these Trade Routes / Peruvazhis are being used since the 4th Century. A Mention in Kautilya’s Arthashastra and the Daksha Seelam excavation reveals that, from the 5th Century BC to the 3rd Century AD, Kongu Nadu was wealthier and famous for trading. The cattle paths became the peru vazhi, and paths were re-laid to suit trade activities. Shelters (தாவளம்) for the traders & Merchants with water sources were created along the trade Route.
RAJAKESARI PERUVAZHI WITH INSCRIPTION.
After victory over Kongu Nadu in the 10th Century, the Chozhas named this peruvazhi Rajakesari Peruvazhi to show their authority and domination. There is an inscription in Vattezhuthu found on a boulder called Katradum Parai (காற்றாடும் பாறை) on this Rajakesari Peruvazhi in the midst of the forest, about 2 KM from Arivoli Nagar near Madukkarai. Even though the Chozhas followed the Tamil letters for their inscriptions in Chozha Nadu, this inscription is in the form of vattezhuthu. This shows that Kongu Nadu also followed Vattezhuthu for inscriptions like the Pandyas of the same period. (During our previous temple visit near this place, we came across vattezhuthu inscriptions in two temples).
The inscription is in the form of a Tamil poem called Venba. The name of the peruvazhi is mentioned as Rajakesari Peruvazhi and the King’s Name as Kokandan. The difference of opinion among the Historians, about the Name of the King Kokandan, as Aditya Chozha-I ( 870 – 907 C.E ), was confirmed by the Thillaisthana inscription, in which Adiya Chozha was also mentioned as Kokandan. The Vattezhuthu Venba inscription praises the King’s deployment of the soldiers mingled as shadows ( shadow army ) with the merchants and General Public to safeguard them from thieves/ burglars. The inscription is in two parts. The first part is in the form of a venba poem in Vattezhuthu, and the second part is the name of the trade route in Tamil letters. The inscription is as follows….
Vattezhuthu Inscription
1. ஸ்வத்ஸ்ரீ கோஇராசகேசரிப்
2. பெருவழி திருநிழலு மன்னு
3. யிருஞ் சிறந்த
4. மைப்ப ஒருநிழல்வெண்டிங்
5. கள் போலோங்கி ஒருநிழல்போ
6. ல் வாழியர் கோச்சோழன்வளங்
7. காவிரி நாடன் கோழியர் கோக்கண்ட
8. ன்குலவு.
Tamil Inscription
1. ஸ்வத்ஸ்ரீ கோஇரா
2. சகேசரிப்
3. பெருவழி
The experts' rewrite of the first vattezhu portion in venba form is as given below.
திருநிழலு மன்னுயிருஞ் சிறந்தமைப்ப
ஒரு நிழல் வெண்டிங்கள் போலோங்கி - ஒருநிழல்போல்
வாழியர் கோச்சோழன் வளங்காவிரி நாடன்
கோழியர் கோக்கண்டன் குலவு.
The word Nizhal (நிழல்) came in three places. The actual meaning of the words Nizhal and the word Kulavu (குழவு) could be arrived at immediately. After many attempts and referring to Kerala’s copper plates, it was found that the word Nizhal means a “shadow army”, which was deployed by the King to protect the Merchants and General Public. The Kulavu means “புகழ் - pukazh” – praise. This was explained by Mr Poongundran, the retired Director of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department, who led the Heritage Walk and also identified this inscription along with Thiru Pulavar Se Rasu of Thanjavur Tamil University.
Tamil Nadu Govt forest officials came along with us to show this inscription. It was a thrilling experience, since a few hours before, an elephant with its calf crossed that path. The fresh footprints were shown to us. They also showed the water source point with a grinding pit and a stone structure ( sumai thanki ). It was told these structures existed since sangam period used by the Traders and General Public.
Ref:
1. An interview video with Mr Poongundram, who identified the inscription in the Kadikai YouTube Channel.
2. Kovai Mavatta kalvettukkal published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.
LOCATION: GPS Co ordinates 10deg 54’11.2” N and 76deg54’10.4” E
Poongundran Sir leads us on the Rajakesari Peruvazhi
The forest guards us
Senkanthal flower - Tamil Nadu State flower
The inscription on the boulder
A Grinding pit believed to be used on the Peruvazhi
A pond on the Rajakesari Peruvazhi
A Sumaithangi - a dilapidated head load platform
The Inscription - PC - Mr Durai Sundaram
Elephant dung
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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