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𑀓𑀺𑀭𑀼𑀱𑁆𑀡𑀷𑁆 🇮🇳

@tskrishnan

Jan 2

I came across the news that Hon’ble Justice G. R. Swaminathan delivered a historic judgment in a case involving the honouring of our freedom heroes. In fact, it is difficult to understand why there should have been a legal dispute over this in the first place.

The Madras High Court has allowed the construction of a stupa in memory of the Natham Kanavai warriors, who fought bravely against the British. What exactly was this war about? Read on. 🧵

When Yusuf Khan, also known as Marudu Nayagam, was in the service of the English, he and Colonel Heron undertook a southern expedition to collect taxes from the polygars. Kumaravadi polygar Lakshmi Nayak refused to pay the tax, following which British forces launched an attack. The local governor, Mayana, fled to the Thirumbur temple (present-day Thirumogur).

Yusuf Khan pursued him, but upon receiving news of Yusuf Khan’s approach, Mayana escaped from the temple. Colonel Heron, however, remained unconvinced. He, along with Yusuf Khan, proceeded to attack the temple. The temple gates were burned down, and the shrine was plundered. All the idols were taken away. The Kallars, who were the worshippers and protectors of the temple, were enraged by this act. When they demanded the return of the idols, a ransom of 5,000 rupees was demanded. Unable to raise the amount, they watched helplessly as the English troops departed with the idols. Yusuf Khan later claimed that he himself had burned down the temple.

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𑀓𑀺𑀭𑀼𑀱𑁆𑀡𑀷𑁆 🇮🇳

@tskrishnan

Sep 15, 2025

On the occasion of Engineer’s Day, we salute two legendary engineers—Veerachozhan Kunjaramallan and Nithavinotha Perunthachan—who masterminded the construction of the Thanjavur Rajarajeswaram Temple and the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple respectively. These engineering marvels have stood tall for over a thousand years, a lasting testimony to their mastery in building massive and resilient structures on the fertile yet loose soil of the Kaveri delta.

#EngineersDay2025

The Chola heartland lies in a riverine region, interlaced with rivers, rivulets, and canals, which makes the soil unsuitable for holding gigantic monuments. Kunjaramallan skillfully identified a rocky foundation capable of bearing immense weight—estimated at 162 tonnes per square meter—strong enough to sustain the Big Temple

Remarkably, both temples were built in regions with no local source of granite. Massive stones were transported from distant quarries and assembled on site. Rajaraja Chola recognized their extraordinary contribution, honoring the architects with royal grants and engraving their names on the temple walls.

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𑀓𑀺𑀭𑀼𑀱𑁆𑀡𑀷𑁆 🇮🇳

@tskrishnan

Aug 27, 2025

On the auspicious occasion of #VinayagarChaturthi, let us explore some of the historic Vinayaka Vigrahas of Tamilakam.

One of the oldest is the Pillayarpatti Vinayaka, dating back to the 4th–6th centuries CE. This bears an inscription in a mix of Tamil Brahmi and Vattezhuthu, recording the sculptor’s name as “Ekkaaturu Kon Perum Thasan.”

The inscription is of great linguistic importance—it marks the first known usage of the Pulli (dot) in Tamil script. Thus, the Pillayarpatti Vinayaka stands not only as a sacred icon but also as a milestone in the evolution of Tamil writing.

The Kudumiyanmalai Vinayaka near the famous musical inscription. The inscription at the Pandya rock cut temple was the oldest one containing the musical notes found in Tamil Nadu and dates 7-8th century.

This Vinayaka is called as Polla Pillayar. The Ganapathi at Thirunarayur was the one who told Nambiyandar Nambi about the place where the sacred Thirumurais were kept.

It was in fact Rajaraja Chola who requested Nambi to find the whereabouts of Thirumurais. Later, they were retrieved from a chamber at Chidambaram and Nambi compiled them.

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𑀓𑀺𑀭𑀼𑀱𑁆𑀡𑀷𑁆 🇮🇳

@tskrishnan

Aug 16, 2025

Krishna Bhakti and celebration of Janmashtami has deep roots in Tamilakam since ancient times. A potsherd excavated at the Kodumanal archaeological site bears the Tamil-Brahmi inscription “Kannan Adhan”. This find is dated to around the 2nd century BCE.

Kannan is one of the Tamil names of Sri Krishna, and this inscription stands as one of the earliest references to His name in Tamilakam, highlighting the antiquity of Krishna worship in the region.

#Janmashtami #janmashtami2025

A fragmentary pottery bowl from Arikamedu (1st century CE) has the name of Balabhuta (of Yadu clan)

An inscription from Tiruvellarai mentions offerings to Lord Krishna and Rukmini on the day of Ashtami. This was made by Irayirandevi Ammanar, wife of Rajadithya Chola

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𑀓𑀺𑀭𑀼𑀱𑁆𑀡𑀷𑁆 🇮🇳

@tskrishnan

Jun 16, 2025

Today marks a significant day in the history of India’s freedom struggle — the day when Marudhu Pandiyar issued the famous ‘Jambudweepa Proclamation’ against British rule.

In 1801, the British launched an all-out offensive against a confederation of Polygars that included Sivaganga, Dindigul, Tirunelveli, and Ramanathapuram. Chinna Marudhu of Sivaganga led this resistance. The British suffered setbacks in several places, prompting the appointment of Colonel Agnew as commander. He issued a stern warning to Marudhu, threatening severe consequences if the Polygars did not surrender immediately.

In defiance, Chinna Marudhu issued the Jambudweepa Proclamation on June 16th, 1801— a bold call for a united resistance against British rule. It was posted on the walls of Trichy Fort and the Srirangam Temple. Through this proclamation, he appealed to all citizens across Bharat (India) to rise in unity and drive out the British. He warned that if the British were allowed to continue their rule, India’s cultural and civilizational heritage would face an existential threat.

By naming it the ‘Jambudweepa Proclamation’, he made it clear that the issue was not limited to a single Palayam or state, but concerned the entire nation of Bharat. He saw the whole country as united in the struggle against British rule.

The concluding lines of the proclamation reveal the character of Chinna Marudhu as a devoted Sanatani.

He says

Marudhu Pandiyan bows at the feet of all the elders and acharyas living in Srirangam. Forts and palaces were built by the kings. But today, those very kings and their people have been pushed into a state of poverty by these lowly invaders. I seek your blessings to rise and fight against them!”

This shows the deep respect and reverence that Chinna Marudhu Pandiyar held for our traditions and spirituality. It also clearly highlights that our rulers regarded nationalism and divinity as two inseparable aspects — like the two eyes.

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𑀓𑀺𑀭𑀼𑀱𑁆𑀡𑀷𑁆 🇮🇳

@tskrishnan

Jun 13, 2025

கீழடியில் கரிம ஆய்வுகளை பற்றியெல்லாம் அது என்ன என்று தெரியாமல் ஆளாளுக்குக் கதை சொல்ல ஆரம்பித்திருக்கிறார்கள். அகழ்வாராய்ச்சியை அரசியல் ஆக்குவதால் ஏற்படும் சிக்கல் இது. ஆதிச்சநல்லூர் தொடங்கி கொடுமணல், கொற்கை, அழகன்குளம் என்று பல இடங்களில் ஆய்வு நடந்தாலும் கீழடி மட்டும் ஏன் தூக்கிப்பிடிக்கப்படுகிறது ? இப்போது அங்குள்ள பிரச்சனை என்ன ? கொஞ்சம் பார்ப்போம்.

ஆரம்பத்தில் மற்ற இடங்களைப் போலவே தான் கீழடியிலும் மத்திய தொல்லியல் துறையால் ஆய்வு நடத்தப்பட்டது. 2013ம் ஆண்டு தொடங்கிய இந்த ஆய்வை நடத்தியவர் தமது ஆரம்ப அறிக்கையில் (2015-16 அந்த இடத்தை பொயுமு 300 வரை கொண்டு செல்லலாம் என்றே குறிப்பிட்டிருக்கிறார். இது AMS அதாவது Accelerator Mass Spectrometry என்ற முறையைப் பயன்படுத்திச் செய்த ஆய்வு. உலகளவில் தரமான ஆய்வு முறைகளில் ஒன்று.

வழக்கமான அரசுப் பணிகளில் செய்வது போல 2017ம் ஆண்டு அவர் இடமாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டார். தொல்லியல் துறை பொதுவாக இரண்டு வருடங்களுக்கு ஒரு முறை தனது அலுவலர்களை இடமாற்றம் செய்யும். அந்த ஆய்வாளரோடு 26 பேர் இந்தியா முழுவதும் இடமாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது. ஆனால் அதன் பிறகு பிரச்சனை ஆரம்பித்தது.

அதன் பிறகு அங்கே ஆய்வுகளை மேற்கொண்டவர் பி.எஸ். ஶ்ரீராமன். இவரும் ஒரு சீனியர் ஆராய்ச்சியாளர். கொடுமணல் போன்ற பல இடங்களில் அகழ்வாராய்ச்சியை நடத்தியவர். ஒரு கட்டத்தில் அகழாய்வை முடித்துக்கொள்ளலாம் என்று இவர் தெரிவித்தபோது பலமான எதிர்ப்பு எழுந்தது. தமிழக தொல்லியல் துறை ஆய்வை எடுத்துக்கொண்டது.

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