The headline from The Hindu is a sad TN specific clickbait. Inside the news we find that the inscriptions are in Tamil, Prakrit and Sanskrit.

From Berenike to Gulf countries, Indian inscriptions have been found. True, Tamil language in Brahmi script are there but equally and more detailed Prakrits and Sanskrit are there too.

I would like a nicer and honest headline “Brahmi inscriptions found in Valley of Kings in Egypt”.

https://x.com/bseshadri/status/2021784122688254203

Other news items indicate there is at least one Kharoshthi inscription, the language Gandharan. From Egypt to Indonesia, Brahmi inscriptions/fragments have been found covering not just Tamil but other Indic languages - a variety of Prakrits and some Sanskrit as well.

Not some special Tamil merchants but Indian subcontinental merchants went to all these places. Insisting on only Tamil while suppressing other hard evidence found is intellectual dishonesty.

Teli ka mandir (a later name) is a 9th century temple built by Raja Mihira Bhoja of the Pratihara dynasty, inside the Gwalior Fort. This is a rare temple with a wagon vaulted roof making many scholars (and an ASI board outside) claim that this is because of South Indian influence. (1) As with many temples and sculptures in these parts, this was also damaged by Islamic forces and renovated during the British rule by Major JB Keith in 1881, for a sum less than 12,000 Rs, of which 4,000 Rs came from the Scindias, and the rest from the British Government. Here is a plaque mentioning this. (2)

We from Tamil Heritage Trust are on a 5-day heritage tour of Gwalior and nearby places. On day 1, we visited Gopachal, a Jaina site which houses colassal Jaina Tirtankara bas reliefs. These images are between 40 to 60 ft each, and are difficult to photograph in full. (1) We visited the portion of the hillock called Ek pattar ki bawdi, a rock cut water body filled with water, next to which 26 caves and caverns are cut with a bevy of Jaina images - Tirtankaras, Bahubali, attendant Yaksha and Yakshi of each Tirtankara, chamara-bearers, door keepers, gods of Jaina pantheon and so on. here is just a portion of Bahubali. (2)

இந்தி என்றால் பானிபுரிகாரன் புளிச் என்றி எச்சில் துப்புபவர்களின் மொழி என்பதுதான் உயர்தனிச் செம்மொழியான தமிழ்க்குடி டி ஸ்டாக் மக்களுக்கு இருக்கும் நம்பிக்கைகளில் ஒன்று. (1) அறிஞர் அண்ணாதுரை அவர்கள் யாரோ ஒரு இந்திக்காரருக்குப் பதில் சொல்லும் வகையில் வெறும் மூன்று மாதங்களுக்குள் அம்மொழியைப் படித்துவிட முடியும் என்றும் அதற்குமேல் அம்மொழியில் ஒன்றும் இல்லை என்று சொன்னதாகப் பத்திரிகையாளர் ஒருவர் கீச்ச, நான் சற்று அதிர்ந்துதான் போனேன். (2)

Our office, Kizhakku Pathippagam, is about 100 metres from the AIADMK headquarters. As soon as I saw the news today morning that OPS was on his way to the HQ instead of Vanagaram, I expected violence and instructed women members of our staff to stay at home. (1) Within minutes, I could see visuals of people beating each other with sticks. I called and informed people that the entire office was to be closed for the day for all - men & women. (2)