Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka explained

Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka date from the centuries before Christ[1] to the modern era. The vast majority of inscriptions date to the centuries following the 10th century AD, and were issued under the reigns of both Tamil and Sinhala rulers alike.[2] Out of the Tamil rulers, almost all surviving inscriptions were issued under the occupying Chola dynasty, whilst one stone inscription and coins of the Jaffna Kingdom have also been found.[3]

Most inscriptions are of a Hindu or Buddhist nature, or record the exploits of merchants, soldiers, officials and kings.

The longest Tamil inscription in the island is from the Lankatilaka Vihara, for which historian K. Indrapala states the following:

Early Anurādhapura period (300 BC – 300 AD)

Tamil letters and words in Prakrit inscriptions

(The following Prakrit inscriptions are included for completion as they are related to Tamils)

Seruwila inscription, Trincomalee

Background
!!Translation
(English)!!Inscription
(Prakrit in the Brahmi script)
align=center width="30%"Inscription recording a Buddhist donation by a Tamil devotee.[13] align=left align=center width="10%"

Talagahagoda Vihara inscription, Matale

Background
!!Translation
(English)!!Inscription
(Prakrit in the Brahmi script)
align=center width="30%"Inscription mentioning a Tamil Buddhist monk.[14] align=left align=center width="10%"

Ihalagala inscription, Anurādhapura

Background
!!Translation
(English)!!Inscription
(Prakrit in the Brahmi script)
align=center width="30%"Inscription recording a Buddhist donation by a Tamil devotee.align=left align=center width="10%"

Late Anurādhapura period (8th–9th centuries AD)

Two slab inscriptions from Hindu ruins, Anurādhapura

Chola period (993–1070 AD)

Ainnurruvar Polonnaruva Bolappaḷḷi inscription

Polonnaruwa period (1070–1215 AD)

Following the expulsion of the Cholas, Vijayabāhu I retained their administrative structure and made significant changes only at the top. The reference to a register of Tamil clerks (Demaḷa lesdaru pota) in Vijayabāhu's Panakaduva Copper Plate inscription points to his employment of Tamil officers in the administration. Possibly many of them continued in service from the time of Chola rule.[42]

Ridiyegama Nānādesi Bronze seal, Hambantota

Transitional period (1215–1619 AD)

Fragmentary inscription from Anurādhapura museum

(The following three Sanskrit inscriptions have been included for completion, as they were issued by Tamils.)

Tamil inscriptions from Thirumangalai, Trincomalee

Late Kandyan period (1619 - 1815 AD)

Verugal Copper Plates of the Vanniyar, Trincomalee

Notes and References

  1. Book: Mahadevan, I. . Early Tamil Epigraphy - From the Earliest Times to the Sixth century C.E., 2nd Edition . 2014. 44, 65 .
  2. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. xxiv-xxvii, p. xiii
  3. Book: Pathmanathan. S.. The Kingdom of Jaffna. 1978. p. 241-243
  4. Ragupathy, Ponnampalam. Early settlements in Jaffna. (1987) p. 119-204
  5. Book: Bopearachchi, Osmund . Tamil traders in Sri Lanka and Sinhala traders in Tamil Nadu . 2008 . p. 18-21
  6. Book: Karunaratne, S . Epigraphia Zeylanica (EZ) VII . 1984 . p. 32-35
  7. Pushparatnam. P. . 2014 . Tamil Brahmi Inscription Belonging to 2200 years ago, Discovered by German Archaeological Team in Southern Sri Lanka . Proceedings of Jaffna University International Research Conference 2014. p. 544
  8. Book: Mahadevan, I. . Early Tamil Epigraphy - From the Earliest Times to the Sixth century C.E., 2nd Edition . 2014. 229–231.
  9. Book: Sitrampalam, S.K. . The Velu of Sri Lankan Brahmi Inscriptions, A Reappraisal, Perspectives in Archaeology. 1990 . p. 89-94
  10. Dravidian Etymology Dictionary entry 5545, https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/burrow_query.py?page=506
  11. Dravidian Etymology Dictionary Entry 4715, https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/burrow_query.py?page=417
  12. Senanayake. A.M.P. . 2017 . A STUDY ON SOCIAL IDENTITY BASED ON THE BRAHMI INSCRIPTIONS OF THE EARLY HISTORIC PERIOD IN THE NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE, SRI LANKA . Social Affairs: A Journal for the Social Sciences. 1 . 6. 38 .
  13. Book: Paranavitana, Senarath . 1974 . Epigraphical Notes 1974: 13.4 . Sri Lanka . Department of Archaeology .
  14. Sumanajothi, P. & S. S. Wijesooriya. (1984). Ancient Temples in Matale District. In Historical Matale (pp. 97-130). Matale: The Cultural Board of Matale District
  15. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 102-107.
  16. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 108-112.
  17. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 111.
  18. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 113-123.
  19. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 124-129.
  20. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 133-140.
  21. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 141-145.
  22. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 146-165.
  23. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 166-177.
  24. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 178-185.
  25. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 186-189.
  26. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 190-194.
  27. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 195-198.
  28. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 199-203.
  29. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 204-217.
  30. Book: Gunasingam. S.. Two inscriptions of Cola Ilankesvara Deva . 1974 . Peradeniya : Akurana Printers. p. 1-22
  31. Indrapala, K. (1965). Dravidian settlements in Ceylon and the beginnings of the kingdom of Jaffna. PhD thesis. University of London. p.107-109
  32. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 218-240.
  33. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 241-244.
  34. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 245-250.
  35. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 251-264.
  36. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 265-288.
  37. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 289-293.
  38. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 294-306.
  39. Book: Indrapala . K.. Epigraphia Tamilica: A journal of Tamil Epigraphy. 1971 . Jaffna Archaeological Society. 52–64.
  40. http://tamildiplomat.com/1000-years-old-tamil-epigraphs-found-ruins-sivan-temple-located-jungles-trincomalee/ 1000 years old tamil epigraphs found in the ruins of Sivan temple located in jungles of Trincomalee
  41. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 347-350.
  42. Book: Indrapala . K.. The Evolution of an Ethnic Identity - The Tamils of Sri Lanka 300 B.C.E to 1200 C.E. . 2005. 0-646-42546-3. p. 251
  43. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 455-482.
  44. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 309-320.
  45. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 393-411.
  46. https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=32850 Millennium old Tamil inscription found in Trincomalee
  47. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 351-371.
  48. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 372-392.
  49. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 412-427.
  50. K. Indrapala, வன்னியில் மூவேந்த வேளானும் வேளைக்காறப் படையினரும், Tamil Mirror, 21 February 2023, p.5
  51. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 328-334.
  52. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 562-578.
  53. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 489-494.
  54. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 546-561.
  55. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 625-628.
  56. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 483-488.
  57. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 529-536.
  58. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 335-344.
  59. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 519-524.
  60. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 321-327.
  61. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 539-545.
  62. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 428-430.
  63. Indrapala, K. (1965). Dravidian settlements in Ceylon and the beginnings of the kingdom of Jaffna, pp. 230 - 231
  64. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 587-603.
  65. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 438-440.
  66. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 441-448.
  67. Professor P. Pusparatnam, Rare Tamil inscription found in Trincomalee (2021) https://vanakkamlondon.com/stories/research-stories/2021/11/139704/
  68. News: இலங்கை தமிழர் வரலாறு: புதிய தகவல்களைக் கூறும் 13ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு கல்வெட்டு. BBC News தமிழ்.
  69. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 449-453.
  70. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 495-503.
  71. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 604-610.
  72. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 436-437.
  73. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 431-435.
  74. Book: Veluppillai . A.. Ceylon Tamil Inscriptions: Volume 1 . 1971 . Peradeniya. 35–36.
  75. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 611-621.
  76. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 623-624.
  77. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 622.
  78. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 504-518.
  79. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 629-638.
  80. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka - Volume 1 . 2019 . Kumaran Book House. 978-624-5015-07-8. p. 525-528.
  81. Book: Pathmanathan, S. . Tamil inscriptions in the Colombo National Museum: Spolia Zeylanica. Vol 47.. 2010. en. 69–74.
  82. Book: Paranavitana . S.. University of Ceylon Review - Lankatilaka Inscriptions. 1960. p. 1-44
  83. Book: Paranavitana . S.. Epigraphia Zeylanica Vol. III. 1933. p. 331-341
  84. Book: Pathmanathan. S.. The Munnesvaram Tamil Inscription of Parākramabāhu VI. 1974. p. 54-69
  85. Book: Pathmanathan. S.. The Kingdom of Jaffna. 1978. p. 272-275
  86. Book: Pathmanathan, S. . Tamil inscriptions in the Colombo National Museum: Spolia Zeylanica. Vol 47.. 2010. en. 39–52.
  87. Book: Veluppillai . A.. Ceylon Tamil Inscriptions: Volume 1 . 1971 . Peradeniya. 44–45.
  88. Book: Pathmanathan, S. . Tamil inscriptions in the Colombo National Museum: Spolia Zeylanica. Vol 47.. 2010. en. 75–78.
  89. Book: Pathmanathan. S.. The Kingdom of Jaffna. 1978. p. 181
  90. Book: Pathmanathan . S.. Tamil inscriptions in the Colombo National Museum. 2005 . Colombo Department of national museums. 978-955-5780-27-8. 79–85.
  91. Book: Indrapala . K.. Cintanai Volume 2. 1968 . Peradeniya. 37–40.

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