Researchers decodes two hero stones in Dharmapuri

Two hero stones, dating to sixth century CE and 13th century CE, found in Dharmapuri have now been documented by the researchers of Coimbatore-based Yaakkai Trust. The hero stones and a stone inscription were documented during field surveys in Harur and Palacode by a three-member team of researchers from the trust.

Sixth-century Pallava Inscription

The first hero stone is a 6th century Pallava inscription, which was documented in Malluthu village in Harur taluk. The memorial stone was first identified by Dr. A. Chandran earlier this year, according to the trust.

The inscription, written in Vatteluttu script, mentions the name of the Pallava king Simhavishnu. It also refers to the territorial division of Kovur Nadu and the settlement of Uthappi.

The inscription records the death of a man named Keeranthai Maayan during a cattle raid conflict at Uthappi. He is identified as a subordinate leader serving under a local chief called Kangilavaraisar and as a retainer of Simhavishnu, says the documentation of Yaakkai Trust.

The research team, comprising Kumaravel Ramasamy, Sudhakar Nalliyappan, and Bala N., has identified significant historical evidence relating to the region’s political administration, social hierarchy, inscriptional traditions, and heroic memorial practices. Renowned epigraphist Prof. Y. Subbarayalu confirmed the text of the inscription and its historical significance, says Mr. Kumaravel Ramasamy.

The inscription itself follows Tamil writing convention described in the Tolkappiyam.

The hero stone measures approximately 72 cm in height, 89 cm in width, and 11 cm in thickness. The sculpted warrior in a waistcloth and elongated earlobes holds a short dagger of the kukri type in his right hand and a shield in his left.

13th century hero stone at Sottandahalli

The second hero stone, dating to 13th century CE, was documented at Sottandahalli village in Palacode taluk, and the sculptures were earlier published in the KHRD Blog. The documentation shows it to date to 1299 CE, during the reign of Vira Vishwanatha.

The inscribed stone slab bears the name of the King Vira Vijayanadevar. The inscription identifies his grandfather as Vira Someshwara and his father as Vira Ramanatha. These genealogical references provide important evidence for studying the Hoysala royal lineage and its political connections with the Thagadur region.

In view of the relative rarity of inscriptions from the period of Vira Vishwanatha in Tamil Nadu, this discovery represents a significant documentary source for further research into the region’s medieval political history.

The inscription commemorates a warrior named Umaidevan, who died while protecting the settlement against wild boars. It also mentions a place called Simidayattru Pulikkal and a local authority named Adhikari Velali Puliyan. “These details contribute to our understanding of settlement history, local leadership, and the responsibilities associated with protecting communities and their resources.

The hero stone measures approximately 123 cm in height, 113 cm in width, and 16 cm in thickness. Its sculptural details include a short sword in the warrior’s right hand, ear ornaments, necklaces, armlets or warrior’s bracelets, and a waistcloth secured with a clothing belt. Hunting dogs and a wild boar are also depicted as evidence of the circumstances associated with the warrior’s death.

The Malluthu inscription sheds light on 6th century political relationships, cattle-related conflicts, social hierarchy, and early Tamil inscriptional practices.

The Sottandahalli inscription contributes to the study of thirteenth-century political genealogy, local administration, settlement protection, and the cultural practice of commemorating warriors.

Together, they offer valuable evidence to understanding the Tamil Society through its different periods, according to Yaakkai Trust.