83 CHAPTER -III SRIRANGAM DURING THE CHOLA PERIOD The occupation of Tanjore by Vijayalaya Chola, the founder in 850 A.D. and the construction of a temple over there marked the initial step in the rise of the Imperial Chola to power in South India. Later his son Aditya I took the opportuinity of Pallava king Aparajita and consolidated his territories 1 which is confirmed by the Tirvalangadu plates. 2 Thus the Cholas slowly carved out an empire for themselves, a second time at Tanjore under a powerful monarch. The Chola rulers from Vijayala to Rajaraja I can be regarded as the builders of this great empire. 3 According to the available literary evidences the nucleus of the temple seems to have been in existence during the period of the Tamil Sangam, i. e., roughly. One of the early Chola kings of Uraiyur, a Killi Chola, seems to have Prantaka I (907-955 A.D) succeeded his father Aditya- I and he is credited with having conquered Ceylon but he suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Rashtrakuta king Krishna III at Takkolam near Arakonam, where in his son Rajadiyta was killed. Prantaka’s country ( present Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts and adjoining areas) was invaded by the Rashtrakutas and he was forced to fall back on Tanjore and Tiruchirappalli districts at Srirangam. But Adiyta II later regained all the lost territories as Krishna III was forced to concentrate his attention in the north. 1. E. I., Vol. IX, 88; Madras Epigraphical Reports (M.E.R.) , Part II, 1906, Para 10 and 16. 2. S.I.I., Vol.VII, No. 205. 3. Krishnaswami Aiyangar, S., Ancient India, Madras, 1911, p. 98
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83
CHAPTER -III
SRIRANGAM DURING THE CHOLA PERIOD
The occupation of Tanjore by Vijayalaya Chola, the founder in 850 A.D.
and the construction of a temple over there marked the initial step in the rise of
the Imperial Chola to power in South India. Later his son Aditya I took the
opportuinity of Pallava king Aparajita and consolidated his territories 1
which
is confirmed by the Tirvalangadu plates.2
Thus the Cholas slowly carved out an
empire for themselves, a second time at Tanjore under a powerful monarch.
The Chola rulers from Vijayala to Rajaraja I can be regarded as the builders of
this great empire.3
According to the available literary evidences the nucleus of the temple
seems to have been in existence during the period of the Tamil Sangam, i. e.,
roughly. One of the early Chola kings of Uraiyur, a Killi Chola, seems to have
Prantaka I (907-955 A.D) succeeded his father Aditya- I
and he is credited with having conquered Ceylon but he suffered a crushing
defeat at the hands of the Rashtrakuta king Krishna III at Takkolam near
Arakonam, where in his son Rajadiyta was killed. Prantaka’s country ( present
Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts and adjoining areas) was invaded by the
Rashtrakutas and he was forced to fall back on Tanjore and Tiruchirappalli
districts at Srirangam. But Adiyta II later regained all the lost territories as
Krishna III was forced to concentrate his attention in the north.
1. E. I., Vol. IX, 88; Madras Epigraphical Reports (M.E.R.) , Part II, 1906, Para 10
and 16.
2. S.I.I., Vol.VII, No. 205.
3. Krishnaswami Aiyangar, S., Ancient India, Madras, 1911, p. 98
84
founded the temple. The earliest inscription in the temple belong to the Chola
of the Tenth Century. Rajamahendra Chola (1060-1063), a son of Rajendra II ,
is said to have built the second prakara wall, and the enclosure so formed is
called Rajamahendran Tiruvidi. During this period the early Vaisnava
Acharyas, Viz., Nathahmuni, Uyyakondar, Manakkal Nambi and Alavandar
were active in Srirangam. They were not only propagating the Vaisnava faith
but were controlling the affairs of the Srirangam temple. Ramanuja, the
founder of Visistadvaita, made Srirangam his headquarters and reorgaised the
administration of the temple. He was forced to go out from Srirangam to the
Country of the Hoysalas by a persecuting Chola, called Krimikanda Chola,
who entitled with Kutottunga II (1070-1120).
In this Chapter are traced the fortunes of the Srirangam covering the
period form 10th
to the 12th
Centuries, from 924 A.D. the date of the earliest
Chola inscripttions in the temple, to 1178 A.D. the close of the reign of
Rajathiraja II, when the Chola began to ecline and the Pandyas rose to power.
This was an eventful period in the history of the temple. Srirangam became the
headquarters of the Vaishnava movement under the resourceful Acharyas, the
greatest of whom was Ramanuja. The latter was both the Vaishnava pontiff and
the warden of the temple. Numerous inscriptions in the temple of the Chola
kings of this period detailing their gifts and benefactions. They do not throw
any direct light on the activities of the Acharyas, for which tradition as
85
recorded in the Guruparamparai is the only source. But in this period the
temple grew in wealth and resources.4
The Chola ruler Vijayalaya revived the Chola power and Tiruchirappalli
region became a part of the Chola Empire with the Srirangam area
Aditya I (871-907 A.D.)
5. The
Imperial Cholas established their power under Vijayalaya (850- 871) aroud 850
A.D. Vijayalaya made his capital at Tanjore and built a temple for
Nisumpasudari at the capital city. Vijayalaya was succeeded by his son Aditya-
I. He ascended to the Chola throne in the 870 A.D6. An inscription of this king
dated in the 4th
year and 89th
day of the reign of Rajakesarivaraman who may
be identified with Aditya -I (871-907 A.D)7
Record the resolution (Jayasthai i.e. Vyavastha) of the Perunguri-Sabha
of Srirangam the terms of which were as follows: From the commencement of
the King’s 5th
year the devadana lands should be properly managed without
allowing the growth of pests and weeds. Otherwise the varikar in charge of the
pandaram the karanam in charge of accounts should be liable to a fine of 25
kalanju gold individually in favour of the lamp service of the temple and they
should be replaced by new incumbents.
.
8
This irscription is placed right at the entrance into threshing floor in the
fourth prakara of the Ranganatha temple. The second inscription registers an
4. Hari Rao, V.N., Srirangam Temple Art and Architecture, Tirupati, 1967, p. 3.
5. Ibid., p.48.
6. Nilakanta Sastri,K.A., The Colas, Madras, 1955, p.45.
7. A.R.E., 69 of 1892.
8. Mahalingarn, T.V., A Topographical List of Inscriptions in the Tamilnadu and Kerala
States, Vol. VIII, New Delhi, 1991,pp.10-12.
86
endowment 90 Kalanju of semmai gold by puittadigal, son of karaal
vilupperaraiyar arivaladigal, towards the feeding of four Brahmanas. The sabha
of Tiruvarangam (Srirangam) undertakes to supply 1120 kalams of ripe
annually measured out with the measure called sennadaikkal for the interest on
the endowed amount9
The earliest Chola inscription in the Srirangam temple is dated in the
17th year of Parantaka- I (A.D.907-955). It registers a gift of 30 gold pieces for
a permanent lamp. 40 for camphor, one for cotton wick besides the gift of a
silver lamp-stand made to the temple. The Sabha of Tiruvarangam took charge
of the endowments. The donor was one Sankaran Ranasingan.
.
Parantaka- I (905-955 A.D)
10The next
inscription is dated in the 38th
year of the same king and it registers a gift of
100 kalanju of gold for the Tirumanjanam (holy bath) of Sriranganatha by the
Sahasradarai (1000 holed) plate. The donor was one Pallavaraiyan. This gift
too was entrusted to the Sabha of Tiruvarangarn.11
Another inscription of this
king dated in his 41st
year records a gift of two plots of land by a certain
Acciyan Bhattan Sri Sri Vasudevan Cakrapani of Peruvengur (in Vila-nadu)
for cake offerings to the God of Srirangam on the ekadasi day during the
Panguni festival in the temple.12
9 . S.I.I., Vol. XXIV, No. 2.
10. A.R.E., 72 of 1892; S.I.I. Vol. IV, No.519.
11. Ibid., 71 of 1892; S.I.I., Vol. IV, No.518.
12. Ibid., 95 of 1936-1937.
87
The inscription registers13
a gift of some jewels by Thananjan narayanan
of pullamangalam in kalark — kurram. There are two inscriptions of this king
dated 948-949 A.D., in the Srirangam temple itself. They records a gift by
Brahma dhirajan alias Achchiyan — Bhattan Sri Vasudevan Chakrapani of
Peruvengur of two pieces of land in Sasanamangalam, a tax- free brahmadeya
of his own in Vila-nadu, for sweet cake offerings to the god on the day of
Ekadesi, during the panguni festival in the temple. Mentions the measure
called Rajakesari. The last inscriptionof the kings reignal year may be an year
between forty one and forty eight, recording a similar gift of jewels as recorded
in no.8 above by ten (navan) Brahmasrirajan alias Narayana raiyan of
Pullamangalam.14
Another inscription of this king dated 945-946 A.D. records a gift of
land in Sasanamangalam in Vila nadu for food offerings on the occasion of the
bathing ceremony of the god on the day of Rohini, the day of
Tirumulaippuludi during the Panguni -Uttiram festival by Achchiyan Bhattan
alias Sri vasudevan, a brahmadhiraja of Peruvengur in Vilanadu. 15
Uttamachola, son of Sembiyan Madevi and Gandaraditya, ruled the
Chola Country during 969 or 970 to 985 A.D. There in only one inscription of
Uttamachola’s period in this region. The record is dated in the fifteenth regnal
Uttamachola (970-985 A.D)
13. Ibid.
14. Ibid., 418 of 1961-1962.
15. Ibid., 415 of 1961-1962.
88
year of Uttamachola. Records that the members of the sabha of Srirangam
agreed to run the service of burning a lamp in front of Tiruvarangattu
Perumanadigal with Bhima semni karpuram (Camphor) and ghee provided
for,from the interest on 71 kalanju of gold invested by Sridharan Kumaran, a
Malaiyali of Iravimangalam in Valluva nadu of Malainadu.16
After the death of Uttamachola, Arumbivarman who was the greatest
Chola ruler assumed the royal title of Rajaraja I, ascended the throne and ruled
for about 30 years. He was the talented son of Sudara Chola Vanavan and
Mahadevi. His reign was splendid as the formative period of Chola imperialism
. There are nearly eighth inscriptions of this king which have been reported in
various palces in the Srirangam region. A Tamil inscription of the period is
found on the tiers of the Ottaikkal mandapam attached to the Unjal mandapam
of the Srirangam Temple. This inscription registers a gift of gold by Kuravan,
one of the commanders (Senapati) of the king.
Rajaraja- I (985--1014 A.D)
17The other details are lost as it
contains a portion of the prasasti of the king.18
The second inscription registers a gift of 40 kalanju for several offerings
to the god.
.
19
16. Ibid ., 65 of 1938-1939.
17. Ibid., 343 of 1918.
18. S.I.I., Vol. XXIV, No. 13
19. A.R.E., 342 of 1918.
The record belongs to Koviraja-Rajakesari i.e. Rajaraja I. Another
fragment below this contains part of the prasasti of Rajendrachola. The next
inscription of this king dated 991-992 A.D. refers to some transactions of the
89
Perunguri sabha of Uttamasili-Chaturvedimangalam. One of the fragments
refers to the sabha of Nandivarmangalam and the record is dated in the 7th
regnal year (99 1-992 A.D.) of Rajarajakesarivarman i.e., Rajaraja-I. This and
the following two numbers also consist of fragments of records of some that
seem seen to have belonged to the temple at Tiruvanaikkal in
Jambukesvaram. 20
Four inscriptios dated 991-992 A.D. refer to one of the fragments cites
the 7th
year (991-992 A.D.) of reign of Rajarajake sarivarman i.e. (Rajaraja- I)
and mentions certain Pallavaraiyan of Paluvur from whom some of lands
seem to have been bought.21
Another fragment refers to the deity
Purushohamattuk -p.-Perumal. 22
Two other fragments mention the deity Anaik
kavil emberuman. The next three inscriptions refer to the sabha of Uttamasili -
Charurvedimangalam and seems to refer to some lands in Viranarayananallur.
The next inscription of this king dated 1003-04. A.D. records a gift of gold for
certain offerings to god on the 19th
reignal year (1003-04 .A.D) of
Rajarajadeva. This inscription refers to the contents of a portion of the parasasti
comrnencing with Tirumagalpota, etc. It registers a gift of a hundred cows for
daily supply of 4 nali of milk to the temple by Maduratakan sundaracholan
alias Rajaraja Ilangovellar.23
20. Ibid ., 327 of 1952-1953
21 ..Ibid.,328of 1952-1953.
22. Ibid., ., 331 of 1952-1953.
23. Ibid., 344 (b) of 1918.
Mention the liquid measure called senandari for
90
palamidu service to the god Madurantakan Sundara solan alias Rajaraja
Ilangovetar.24
The last inscription in the record is dated in the 24th year of the king and
registers a gift of 14 kalanju of gold by the assembly of Tiruvarangam for
offerings to deity during the festivals in the months of Panguni and Aippasi,
mentions Vembarrur alias Avaninarana Chaturvedimangalam. 25
Rajendra- I, the son and successor of Rajaraja -I, came to power in the
year 1012 A.D. He was a great warrior. Two inscriptions of this king dated to
1012 A.D.refer to the reign year last of Parakesarivarman Rajendracho
ladeva.
Rajendra – I (1012-1044 A.D.)
26The last inscription which was damaged gives a list of names. The
record is dated in the (1024 A.D.) of the king. 27
Rajendra Chola was succeeded by his son Rajadhiraja I who ascended to
the throne in the year 1018 A.D. He served under Rajendra I as co-ruler for
over twenty five year
Rajadhiraja (1018-1054 A.D)
28. A Tamil inscription of the period is found on the tiers
of the prasasti Tingaler —taru, mentions a certain Brahmarayar and seems to
record a gift of go1d by a Muvendavelar name is last. 29
24.. Ibid., 370 of 1953-1954.
25. Ibid., 341 of 1918.
26 . Ibid., 344 (a) of 1918.
27. Ibid., 19 of 1948-49.
28. Subrahmanian, N., History of Tamil Nadu, ( upto 1336) , Koodal Publishers,
Madurai, 1972, p. 195.
29. A.R.E., 333 of 1952-1953.
91
Adhirajendra (1070 A.D)
Virarajendra died early in 1070 A.D. in the year eighth of his reign.
Vijayala Chola line came to an end with the death of Adhirajendra (1067/68-
1078 A.D.). The accession of Kulottunga I heralded the Chalukya Chola
dynasty .Only one inscription of Adhirajendra (1070 A.D) seems to record a
gift of land. 30
Krimikantha Chola is generally identified with Kulottunga 1(1070-1120
A.D.
Kulottunga- I (1070-1120 A.D.)
31Some scholars would prefer to identify him with Adhirajendra, who had
a short reign of less than a year (in 1070) and who was killed in the course of a
popular uprising. But according to the Vaishnava tradition, Ramanuja lived as
an exile in the Mysore Country for 12 years at the close of which he returned to
Srirangam on hearing the death of Krimikantha. Adhirajendra did not rule for
twelve years, and it is a sheer impossibility to crowd the many achievementsof
Ramanuja in exile into the short period of less than a year of the reign of
Adhirajendra. If on this ground the identification of Krimikantha
with Kulottunga-I is correct the date of the return of Ramanuja to Srirangam is
to be placed round about 1120 A.D.32
Though is true to say that the Chola monarchs were ardent patrons of
Saivism it need not to be concluded from the account of the persecution of
Ramanuja that there was a general persecution of the Vaisnavas and the
30. Ibid., 181 of 1951-1952.
31. Nilakanta Sastri,K.A., Colas, pp.295-96, 300, and 644, for different views.
32 . Jothibasu, R., Srirangam Through the Ages- A Study, Ph.D Thesis, Annamalai
University, Annamalainagar, 2011,p.82.
92
Vaishnava temples were destroyed during the Chola period. From the Chola
inscriptions, it is found that they extended their patronage to both the Saiva and
Vaishnava temples. But the kings were often victims to advisers and favourite
dogmas and sometimes the rule of general toleration was broken. There are
several inscriptions of Kulottunga-I in the Srirangam temple.33
One mentions
the king by his title, Jayadhara, and his minister Vanadhiraja, who figured as
the donor.34
Another, dated in his 13th
year, refers to Senapati Virarajendra
Adivaman, who made a gift of land for a flower garden to the temple.35
Two
more military officers of the king figure as donors in other records. One is
Arigandadevan Ayarkolundinar alias Senapatigal Gangaikondachola -
Munaiyadarayar of Kottur in Arumolideva Valanadu, who figures as the donor
of a flower garden, named after him. The same person also donates a lamp.36
The other was Senapatigal Vira Chola Munaiyadarayar, who made a grant of
50 Kalanju of gold for the recitation of the Tiruppallielucci and Tiruvaimoli
by five nimantakaras (temple scrvants).37
This epigraph is dated in the king’s
15th
year. Another epigraph, dated in his 18th
year, records the provision of 6 ¼
kasu (gold pieces) made by Arayan Garudavahan alias Kalingarayar for
offerings on three nights when the text Tettarundiral 38
33. A.R.E.,61 of 1892, S.I.I., Vol. 1V, 508, 62 of 1892; S.I.I., Vol.III, 70, and 117-
127 & 129. A.R.E., 132 of 1938-1939 pt.II. para 18.
34. Ibid., 56 of 1938-1939.
35. Ibid.,118 of 1938-1939.
36. Ibid .,123 of 1938-1939.
37. Ibid., 61 of 1892.
38. The second ‘ten’ of the Perurnal Tirumoli by Kulasekhara Alvar begins with these
words.
was recited during the
festivals in the months of Aippasi and Panguni. The Malyala officers of the
king, belonging to the Perudanam and sirudanam, made a gift of a chauri called
93
Ayiravan (with a gold handle) for service to God Anantanarayanaswami, who
“was pleased to recline at Srirangan”.39
This inscriptions of the king records a gift of land in Vilattur nadu to
Chola- Keralanallur Udiyan Adittan Vedavanamudaiyan alias Neriyan
Muvendavelar for a flower garden (tirunandavanappuram) for supplying two
hundred harlands and some specified quantity of the temple at the instance of
Nishadarajar, the Srikaryam officer of the temple.
It is significant that a number of
generals and officers of Kulottunga I figure as the donars of the Srirangam
temple. This is unlikely if the king had been a Saiva fanatic.
In the present state of our knowledge and with the traditional account of
the Guruparampari as the basis, it is concluded that the persecutor of Ramanuja
was not Adhirajendra but Kulottunga I. It was the audacious statement of
Kurattalvan, who made a joke of the dictum of the king, viz., Sivaparataram
nasti that was perhaps responsible for the blinding order. Ramanuja felt himself
unsafe and so he left the Chola territory altogether. Even the blinding of
Kurattalvan might have been a hagiographical invention, for the
Guruparamparai tells that the Alvan regained his eyesight later on through
divine beneficence. There is a good reason to believe that the account of
persecution is highly exaggerated.
40
39. A.R.E.,130 of 1938-1939.
40. Ibid., 109 of 1947-1948
Eighty inscriptions, record
an assignment by sale of fallow land for payment of 10 kalams of paddy to the
temple executives towards the expenses of two festivals to be conducted every
94
year in the temple. The details of the recipients of the land are lost.41
The next
inscription refers to a sale of devadana land in kil-pitaru in Pachchilkurram to
Kasyapan Kannan Narayanan alias Vaisravana Bhattai of Tiruvellarai, a
Brahmadeya in Vadavali-nadu in Ulogamuludaiyal- nadu. A similar transaction
by the temple executives to Alagiyaraja Muvendavetar is is referred to in lines
9-11 of the inscription. The land seems to have been named Gangaiyarsurabhi -
vilagam. 42
Another inscription mentions thea sale of a land by the temple
executives to Ponnamambalakkuttan alias kalingarayar.43
It registers a gift of
land by sale to Sendamangala mudaiar Jayangonda solan alias Senapati
Ilangovelar for a garden be named Kidarangonda vilagam. 44
Another
inscription (damaged) records sale of a land to Araiyan Sendan alias
Rajendrachola Adiyaman Ponparri in Tirumilaik-Kurram for a garden to supply
garlands of specified flowers to the god.45
This inscription registers a sale of
land by the temple executives to Atkondavillil of Adnur.46
The next inscription
in the same place states the sale of a land to the kanmis of Nambirattiyar
Lokmahateviyar free of all taxes for five years from the year of assignment and
threafter for payment of a stipulated quantity of paddy into the temple treasury.
The sale was made at the instance of Narayonabhattar, the srikaryam officer. 47
41. Ibid., 110 of 1947-1948.
42. Ibid., 117 of 1947-1948.
43. Ibid .,116 of 1947-1948.
44. Ibid., 136 of 1947-1948.
45. Ibid., 137 of 1947-1948.
46. Ibid., 2 of 1948-1949.
47. Ibid., 8 of 1948-1949.
.
Another inscription of this king registers a sale of land for garden to Adiyadeva
95
but the details are lost. A fragment by the side of this record mentions
Adittanar alias kadavarayar and seems to refer to a sale of land to him.48
An
inscription mentions the a sale of land but the the details of which it is lost 49
.It
is evident from an inscription register the sale a of land the details of are,
however lost. 50
The next inscription mentions only portions of the prasasti which are
available .It seems to refer to some land gift.51
Another inscription with
damaged registers seems to refer to a sale of land (highly damaged).52
Another
inscription seems to register a gift of land to Villavarayor.53
Another
inscription registers to give the beginning of the prasasti pugal, suinda etc. But
the other details are lost. 54
This inscription is about the sale of a land under orders from
Nishadajar.55
Another inscription registers an agreement (Sammatattittu) by the
shephered Achchan Govaddam and five others to supply ghee to the lamp
enowed by Senapaitigal Irajanarayana Munaiyadaraiyar alias Kotturudaiyan
Aranyan Rajendracholan with 96 sheep endowed for the purpose by the same
donar.56
An inscription partly covered by brass plates.It seems to refer to an
enquiry into the settlement of arrears by Rajendrachola Muvendavelar, the
48. Ibid., 9 of 1948-1949.
49. Ibid.,10 of 1948-1949.
50. Ibid., 11 of 1948-1949.
51. Ibid., 14 of 1948-1949.
52. Ibid., 16 of 1948-1949.
53. Ibid ., 23 of 1948-1949.
54. Ibid., 34 of 1948-1949.
55. Ibid ., 42 of 1948-1949.
56. Ibid., 167 of 1951-1952.
96
arrears amounting to 940 kasu by some individuals to the temple treasuries.
One of the individuals (name lost) involved in the case seems to have served a
period of imprisonment. A fragment apparently not connected with this record
same tiers refers to the provisions made for observing the Pusattirunal of
Kulottunga Choladeva every month.57
Another inscription records a gift of
sheep by a number of individuals for supply of ghee for a perpetual lamp in the
temple.It mentions Vira Vichchadira Muvendavelar or the Srikaryam officer of
the temple at whose instance the gift seems to have been made. 58
An inscription records a gift of 10,000 kalam of paddy for service and
offerings to the god.59
The next inscription records a sale of land to wAlagiya
manavalapala-p- Perumal alias Irava Cholappallavaraiyan under the orders of
Sirilango Bhatter, the Srikaryam officer. 60
Another inscription mentions the
names Silaiyan Kundavai and Chamunda Govardhana-Manavalan.61
The
inscription records sale of land, details are lost. The record is dated in the 10th
regnal year of the king. 62
The next inscription records the repayment of a loan of 400 kalanju by
sale of 6 veli of tax free land by the sabha of chandralikhai chaturvedimangalm
which had raised this amount from God Anantanarayanaswami at Srirangam in
the 10th
year of Madurai Konda Kop-Parakesari ( Parantaka-I), having paid
the interest thereon regularly. The record is dated in the 10th
year of the king’s
57. Ibid., 168 of 1951-1952.
58. Ibid., 169 of 1951-1952.
59. Ibid ., 187 of 1951-1952.
60. Ibid., 12 of 1948-1949.
61. Ibid ., 24 of 1948-1949.
62. Ibid ., 41 of 1948-1949.
97
reign.63
Another inscription record is stated to belong Rajamabendra-chaturvedi
mangalam. States that as the temple of Mummudi cholavinnagaralvar at
Rajamahendra chaturvedimangalm , a brahmadeya in in Kandara (Gandhara)
Nadu a sub-division of Nittavinoda—valanadu, was unable to safeguard its
property owing to a burglary of its treasury during a conflict between the right
and left hand classes in the 2nd year of the king’s reign. The assembly of
Rajamahendra chaturvedimangalam received a lumb-sum from the temple and
exempted certain lands belonging to it from payment of taxes. 64
Another inscription records assignment of two plots of land free of
specified taxes by the temple executives to senapatigal Taliyil Madurantakan
Rajendracholak-Kidara tarayar and his wife Rajakesarivalli for raising two
flower gardens in their names. Mention is also made among for the boundaring
the Rajendrachola vanadhiraja mannilar.65
The inscription mentions a gift of gold by senapatigal. Rajendrachola
Munaiyadaraiyar towards garlands, ghee for lamp, etc. The wording in line 5
indicates the regnal year of the king as either 14 or 16. 66
The next inscription register a gift of land by purchase from the temple
authorities by Rajarajan Madhurantakan alias vatsaraja for worship and
offerings to God Alagiyamanavala-p-perumal on the day of his natal star
63. Ibid., 18 of 1948-1949.
64. Ibid., 31 of 1936-1937.
65. Ibid., 3 of 1948-1949.
66. Ibid., 132 of 1947-1948
98
mrigasirs ha and for feeding Srivaishnavas in the Madhurantakadevan matha
during certain ispecified festivals. 67
Another inscription records sale of land to Adinathan alias karanai
vilupparaiyar (vide No. 112 of 1947-1948).68
The inscription records an
undertaking (Kaittittu) by the Nivandakkarar to the temple executives for
having purchased certain lands from Srirangana Kramavittan and his
brothers , of Rajakesarichcheri, the 8th
ward (cheri) in Rajasraya
Chaturvedimangalam in Uraiyurkurram and provision (nivandam) for reciting
Tiruppallieluchchi and Tiruvaymoli before god Anatanarayanasvami, at the
instance of Ayarkolundau Chakrapani alias Virachola Munaiyadarayar of
kottur in nadu in Arumolideva-valanadu. This is evidently connected with No.
57 about where the gift of 50 kalanju of pon (gold) by the donor for the
purpose is recorded. 69
.Another inscription egisters a sale of land in Vilattur-
nadu under orders of Nishadarajar, the Srikaryam of the temple to
Ulaguyyakkondarlina sembiar Neriyan-Madevi, daughter of pandiyanar for a
garden to be raised in her name and for payment of specified amount of paddy
to the temple from out of the produce. 70
An inscription records a gift of money for bringing land in Vilanadu in
Pandikulasani - Valanadu under cultivation by Tennavan Madeviyar, the
Queen of Rajendradeva , (Kulottunga -I) towards provision for offerings to the
67. Ibid., 15 of 1936-1937.
68. Ibid., 114 of 1947-1948.
69. Ibid., 120 of 1947-1948.
70. Ibid., 124 of 1947-1948.
99
god on the 5th
day of Masi and mention Neriyan Mudevi-Vitagam as one of
the boundaries.71
The next inscription records a gift of 61/4 Kasu by Araiyan
Garudavahanan alias Kalingarayan for offering during specified festivals on the
occasion of the recitation of tettruntiral, a hymn composed by Kulasekara
Alwar.72
Another inscription records the sale of tax-free land in Vita-nadu in
Keralantaka Valanadu to Turumur -Udaiyan Araiyan alias udaiyar karanai
Vilupparaiyar stipulating payment of specified quantity of paddy from the 5th
year of cultivation of the land. 73
This inscription record the gift of a Chauri (fly whisk) called Ayiravan
with a golden handle, to the god named Ananta-Narayanasvami at Srirangam
through the assembly of the village, by Malaiyalar of both Perundanam and
Sirudanam. It mentions also the name of the person Sridanappillai-mangai –
alvan of the southern section (konda) in the 16th
cheri (ward) of
Rajasrayagolam appointed to serve the cord with the chauri. 74
Another inscription records a sale of tax-free land to Uttamacholanallur
Udaiyan alias Narayanan Malaikkiniya-Ninran alias Mummudichola
Vilupparaiyan and Padmanabhan Vishnumurti, the servant (Panimagan)of the
former under the orders from Cholasikhamani Muvendavelar ,the Srikaryam of
71. Ibid., 125 of 1947-1948.
72. Ibid., 62 of 1892; S.I.I., Vol. III, No. 70.
73. Ibid., 113 of 1947-1948.
74. Ibid., 130 of 1938-1939.
100
the temple stipulating the payment of a specified quantity of paddy to the
temple.75
The inscription records a gift of land by Ariganda devan
Ayarkolundinar alias Senapatigal Gangaikondasola Munaiyadaraiyar of kottur
in Armolideva- valanadu for a flower garden named after him for
offering on two festival days when the god was taken to the Arigandadevan
tirumandapam. 76
Another inscription record states that as the original tenants of the
Village devadana village (name lost) in Mipitaru in Pachchil-kurram a sub-
division of Kulottunga Chola-valanadu were unable to pay the taxes, this
village was renamed Rajanarayananallur and redistributed among new
tenants.77
An next inscription record a sale of land in vilattur- nadu in
Keratanlaka-valanadu to Ganavalli alias Pendatti kadavurudaiyal, a resident of
Tirukkadavur in Akurnadu in Jayangondasola-valanadu towards charity, under
orders of Rajendra -muvendavelar. The inscription was ordered to be engraved
on the wall of Rajamahendran- tirukchchurru.It mentions Vira vichchadhara
muvenda Velar, the headman (Kilavan) of Palaiyur. 78
Another inscription records an endowmenmt of land by Rajarajan.
Arumoliyar alias tennavan Madevi, queen of Rajandradeva (Kulottunga -I)
towards feeding (bhiksha) of bhahavar (Bhagavar). Also it refers to a land
endowment by Rajamanikkm, the Pendatti of Kaduvettigal to provide rice for
75. Ibid., 121 of 1947-1948; S.I.I., Vol. XXXIV, No.19.
76. Ibid., 122 of 1938-1939; S.I.I. Vol. XXIV, No. 20.
77. Ibid., 132 of 1938-1939.
78. Ibid., 112 of 1947-1948.
101
spreading the tiruppanjadi on certain specified occasions.79
An inscription
record highly damaged and incomplete condition after the preamble. The
record is dated in the 27th
year of the king’s reign. 80
The next inscription record the inscription is in Kannada. It is damaged
and worn out in places and records a provision made for burning two lamps in
the temple of God Sriranga by the kannadandhivigrahi and Dandanayaka (name
lost) of king lm Tribhuvanamalladeva ( Vilramadita VI) in the 29 year (A.D.
1099- 1100) of the reign of Kulottungadeva (Kulottunga- I), gives the names of
seven i kons such as Alagiyama valakon, Karunakara-kon, Sri-Narasingakon,
Tirumaliru (jolai-kon, etc, who were enjoined to supply the required quantity of
ghee for burning the lamps. The record seems also to refer to the plastering
with lime mortar, caused to be done to the shrine of senapati (Vishvaksena)
probably by the same donor. 81
Another inscription records the sale of land to Valavan Madeviyar by
Sriraman Kesavan. The record is dated in the 29th
year of the king. One of the
fragments refers to Sri-magadai-kon as a signatory (fragmentary). 82
The next inscription records the gift of land after purchase by
AdittanTiravarangadevan alias Virudaraja-phaynakara Vijayapalan for rearing
a flower garden.83
An inscription records the sale of land free of taxes to
Tiruvarangamudaiyan an accountant of the sabha of the temple. (damaged).84
79. Ibid., 126 of 1947-1948.
80. Ibid., 182 of 1951-1952
81. Ibid., 204 of 194 1-1942; E.I, Vol. XXX, pp. 203 ff. and plate.
82. Ibid., 13 of 1948-1949.
83. Ibid., 121 of 1938-1939.
84. Ibid., No. 36 of 1948-1949.
102
The inscription records an endowment to the sabha for purchase of land
for offerings to god by Vandalanjeri Udaiyan Vellalan Anai alias
vanakovaraiyan of Tirunaraiyar.85
Another inscription registers a gift of a lamp weighing 100 palams by a
person named Sattandai Aiyyaran Sankaranayanan. The inscription is dated in
the 33Id year of the kings reign.86
The next inscriptionthe registers a gift of
land by the perunguri-sabha of the Rajasraya-chatuvedimangalam., a
brahmadeya in Uraiyur –kurram, a sub-division of Rajamahendra valanadu, for
a flower garden and repairs to the temple of Tiruvarangadeva. The sabha is said
to have been convened in the Rajendracholan mandapa in their village and the
number of members present before beginning its deliberations.87
An inscription
records a gift of land but the details lost. The inscription is dated in the 34th
regnal year of the king 88
The next inscription records a gift of land by purchase, by kiliyarudaiyar
Nadaripugalan alias kalingarayar for a flower garden. Since this land was found
insufficient, another piece of land purchased by him in the 33rd
year was also
added to this. The adhikari at the time was Nishabharaja. 89
Another inscription recoreds partly convered up by the floor. It seems to
register a gift of land to Ariyan vasudeva Bhattan alias Rajaraja Brahmarayam
of Anishthanam in kasmiradesam, by the several executive bodies of the
temple, in the 39th
regnal year of the king. The Srikaryam of the temple was