Rajakesari Peruvazhi / ராஜகேசரி பெருவழி – The ancient Trade Route at Katradum Parai ( காற்றாடும் பாறை ) near Madukkarai Forest Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

12^th October 2019.

During ancient period Kongu Nadu had 20 trade routes, which connects important trade cities of ancient Chozha Nadu, Pandiya Nadu and Thondai Nadu, with the foreign merchants like Greeks and Romans. These trade routes connects the West side sea shore Chera port Cities with the East side Chozha and Pandya Trade cities through Palghat pass. This trade route splits in to three after Palghat pass. 

Poongundran Sir leads us on the Rajakesari Peruvazhi

TRADE ROUTES ( PERUVAZHI )

The First route to Thondai Nadu, passed through Coimbatore, Avinashi, Vijayamangalam, Erode, Salem, Eththapur, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Tindivanam via Oymanattu Kindangil reached Mahabalipuram. 

The second route also called as Rajakesari Peruvazhi to Chozha Nadu through Perur, Vellalore, Sulur, Palladam, Kangayam, Karur, Uraiyur reached Poompuhar. 

The third trade route also called as Veeranarayana Peruvazhi to Pandya Nadu through Anaimalai, Vadabhuthi Natham,  Si. Kalayamuthur, Palani, Dindigul, Madurai, Thiruthangal and reached Arugankulam. 

In addition to this, the route originates from Karur was called as Raja mahendra Peruvazhi and from Kozhumam, it was called as Chozha Madevi Peruvazhi. There were Asura malai Peruvazhi, Adhiyaman Peruvazhi, Ayirai Peruvazhi, Pidari Koil Peruvazhi, also existed in Kongu Nadu. An American called “Bardon Stene“ mentions Kongu Nadu as "Peruvazhi Nadu".

THE ANCIENT KONGUNADU 

The Kongu Nadu comes under mullai region ( முல்லை - காடும் காடு சார்ந்த இடமும் ) one of 5 natural regions ( குறிஞ்சி, முல்லை, மருதம், பாலை, நெய்தல்), mentioned in ancient literatures, where Kongu Velirs transformed the forest in to farm lands and grazing lands. Apart from agriculture, the Velirs engaged in Cattles husbandry. From the history, during 9^th Century a King called Kongu Vel ruled this region. In Kongu region, the people faced the threat from the wild animals especially Tigers. To prove this the Kongu regions has the max number of Puli Kuthi memorial stones or Pulikuthi Nadukarkal. The Cattle herd which walks while grazing forms a path which latter used by the human beings to commute between the Villages and transport goods and materials. Kongu Nadu was also famous for the Gems and Stones. The Greek and Roman coins were unearthed in Kongu Trade cities like Perur, Vellalore ( Velir + oor ), Kodumanal and Gems and stone ornaments were exported from Kongu Nadu. At Anaimalai 1^st Century Daibrees Kings Silver coins, at Vadabuthi Natham 1500 silver Coins Si. Kalayamuthur 400 Roman coins and at Vellalore more than 500 Roman coins are found. Out of the Roman Coins found in India, 70%  are from Kongu region.

It is believed that these Trade Routes / Peruvazhis are being used since 4^th Century. A Mention in Kautilyar’s Arthashastra and Daksha seelam excavation reveals that, from 5^th Century BC to 3^rd Century AD, Kongu Nadu was wealthier and famous for trading. The cattle paths  became the peru vazhi  and paths were re-laid  to suit trade activities. Shelters ( தாவளம் ) for the traders & Merchants with water sources were created along the trade Route.

RAJAKESARI PERUVAZHI WITH INSCRIPTION.

After victory over Kongu Nadu in 10^th Century, the Chozhas named this peruvazhi,  as Rajakesari Peruvazhi, to show their authority and domination. There is an inscription in Vattezhuthu found on a boulder called Katradum Parai ( காற்றாடும் பாறை ) on this Rajakesari Peruvazhi in the midst of the forest, about 2 KM from Arivoli Nagar near Madukkarai. Even though the Chozhas followed the Tamil letters for their inscriptions in Chozha Nadu, this inscription is in the form of vattezhuthu. This shows that Kongu Nadu also followed Vattezhuthu for inscriptions like Pandyas of the same period. ( During our previous temples visit near this place we came across vattezhuthu inscriptions in two temples ). 

The inscription is in the form of Tamil poem called Venba. The name of the peruvazhi is mentioned as Rajakesari Peruvazhi and the King’s Name as Kokandan. The difference of opinion among the Historians, about the Name of the King Kokandan as Aditya Chozha-I ( 870 – 907 AD ), was confirmed with the Thillaisthana inscription in which Adiya Chozha was also mentioned as Kokandan. The vattezhuthu venba inscription praises the King’s deployment of the soldiers mingled as shadows ( shadow army ) with the merchants and General Public  to safeguard them from thieves/ burglars. The inscription is in two parts. The first part is in the form of venba poem in Vattezhuthu and the second part is the name of the trade route in Tamil letters. The inscription is as follows….    

Vattezhuthu Inscription

1.    ஸ்வத்ஸ்ரீ கோஇராசகேசரிப்

2.    பெருவழி திருநிழலு மன்னு

3.    யிருஞ் சிறந்த

4.    மைப்ப ஒருநிழல்வெண்டிங்

5.    கள் போலோங்கி ஒருநிழல்போ

6.    ல் வாழியர் கோச்சோழன்வளங்

7.    காவிரி நாடன் கோழியர் கோக்கண்ட

8.    ன்குலவு.

Tamil Inscription

1.   ஸ்வத்ஸ்ரீ கோஇரா

2.   சகேசரிப்

3.   பெருவழி

 The inscription on the boulder

The experts re-writes the first vattezhu portion in venba form is as given below.

திருநிழலு மன்னுயிருஞ் சிறந்தமைப்ப

ஒரு நிழல் வெண்டிங்கள் போலோங்கி - ஒருநிழல்போல்

வாழியர் கோச்சோழன் வளங்காவிரி நாடன்

கோழியர் கோக்கண்டன் குலவு.

The word Nizhal ( நிழல் ), came  in three places. The actual meaning of this words Nizhal and the word Kulavu ( குழவு ) could be arrived immediately. After many attempts and referring the Kerala’s copper plates it was found out, that the word Nizhal means a “shadow army”, which was deployed by the King to protect the Merchants and General Public. The Kulavu means “புகழ் - pugazh” – praise.  This was explained by Mr Poongundran, the retired Director of Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department and who led the Heritage Walk and also identified this inscription along with Thiru Pulavar Se Rasu, of Thanjavur Tamil University.

But as per Dr Ramachandran this is a Nerisai venba - நேரிசை வெண்பா- The word "சிறந்தமைப்ப" to be read as "சீருந்தழைப்ப" என்பது தேமா புளிமா.  இறுதியில் குலவுக்கு பதில் குலம் என்பதே மலர் என்ற வாய்பாடு.

திருநிழலு மன்னுயிருஞ் சீருந்தழைப்ப

ஒரு நிழல் வெண்டிங்கள் போலோங்கி - ஒருநிழல்போல்

வாழியர் கோச்சோழன் வளங்காவிரி நாடன்

கோழியர் கோக்கண்டன் குலம்.

The Inscription - PC - Mr Durai Sundaram

Tamil Nadu Govt forest officials came along with us to show this inscription. It was a thrilling experience, since few hours before an elephant with its calf crossed that path. The fresh foot prints are shown to us. They also showed the water source point with a grinding pit and a stone structure ( sumai thanki ). It was told these structures existed since sangam period used by the Traders and General Public.

Ref:

1. An interview video with Mr Poongundran, who identified the inscription in Kadikai YouTube  Channel.

2. Kovai Mavatta kalvettukal published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. 

LOCATION: GPS Co ordinates 10deg 54’11.2” N and 76 deg 54’10.4” E 

 The forest guard leads us

 Senganthal flower - Tamil Nadu State flower

  

 A Grinding pit believed to be used on the Peruvazhi

 A pond on the Rajakesari Peruvazhi

 A Sumaithangi - a dilapidated head load platform 

Elephant dung

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---