Pondicherry Inscriptions

Objectives

The aim of the project is to compile, edit and publish (with transliteration and translation ) all the inscriptions found in the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

Materials and methods

Inscriptions found on the walls of temples, pillars, and loose slabs were copied by making estampages. Inscriptions which had already been copied by the Archaeological Survey of India were also used. The texts thus prepared were given under two broad divisions viz., Pondicherry and Karaikkal regions. The inscriptions were arranged on the basis of the earliest inscription available in that village. First the village name is given and then the location where the inscription is found; thirdly the dynasty and the name of the King, his regnal year and the equivalent Christian year are mentioned. Information regarding the publication of the inscription, if any, follows.

Next a short summary of the content of the inscription is furnished. A critical introduction tracing the importance of these inscriptions in the history and culture of Tamilnadu is prefixed before the texts. Finally, several appendices followed by a Glossary are given.

Partners

Initially this project was taken up by the EFEO.

Funding

This was funded by the EFEO. However subsequently it was decided to publish these with the funds provided by both EFEO and FIP Pondicherry.

Team

The compilation work was started by Pulavar Kuppuswamy of Bahur and Venkatesan of Villianur. P.R.Srinivasan and R.Nagaswamy were at different times engaged to edit these. However this task was finally entrusted to G.Vijayavenugopal (formerly of Madurai Kamaraj University), who brought the edition to press.

Main Outputs

The first volume, of three, was released in 2006. Press copies of the remaining two volumes consisting of the texts in transliteration and translation and of indices are currently being prepared.

• Putucceri Manilak kalvettukkal. Pondicherry inscriptions. Part 1. Introduction and texts with notes.

Compiled by Bahour S. Kuppusamy ; edited by Prof. G. Vijayavenugopal, Collection Indologie n° 83.1, IFP/EFEO, 2006, xxvii, lix, 537 p.
Language: English Rs. 800 (29 €)

The inscriptions assembled in this volume for the first time come from the Pondicherry Union territory and span a period from the 9th to the 19th century. Their total number is 545; excluded are only the ones on tomb stones. They belong to various dynasties, such as Rastrakuta, Cola, later Pallava, Pantiya, Vijayanagara and Sambhuvaraya. The vast majority is written in Tamil language, but Sanskrit, Telugu and Kannada, as well as Latin and French, are also to be found.

The text of each inscription is preceded by a short summary and information pertaining to prior publications, along with location, date (in Indian and in Christian calculation), dynasty and king. An elaborate preface in English and an introduction in Tamil map the historical horizon into which these inscriptions belong.

Keywords: Tamil Inscriptions, history of Tamil language, Tamil Nadu and culture, religion, political geography.