Periyapattinam Jewish Inscription
| Periyapattinam Jewish Inscription | |
|---|---|
| Material | Stone |
| Writing | Tamil Script |
| Created | c. 1200-1250 AD |
| Discovered | Valantaravai |
| Language | Tamil |
Periyapattinam Jewish Inscription (c.13th century AD), also Valantaravai inscription, is a medieval merchant guild inscription discovered from near Valantaravai, Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu in southern India.[1][2] The record was originally installed on the Periyapattinam beach.[2]
The epigraph mentions details of the land donated to certain 'Cutapalli' ('the Jewish Synagogue') at Periyapattinam.[1] It is one of the rare records mentioning early Jewish, Christian and Muslim presence in southern India.[3][1] and dates to the period of ascendancy of the Ainnutruvar or Ayyavole Five Hundred merchant guild in south India (incorporating manigramam and anjuvannam).[4]
The settlement of 'Peryapatnam' is traditionally listed as one of the first Jewish settlements in southern India.[5] An undated Hebrew language inscription was previously found at Periyapattinam.[1] The Valantaravai record incidentally mentions certain "tarisapalli" or the Christian church (similar to the Quilon Syrian copper plates from Kerala).[1] A tombstone with a Hebrew inscription was found in an unused well in a coconut farm near Periyapattinam in 2024.[6] The marker is dated in multiple eras (including Shvat 1536/1537 of the Seleucid era, corresponding to 1224/1225 AD).[6][7]
Material and contents
[edit]
The record is inscribed on the four sides of a stone pillar (3 feet x 1 foot) in Tamil language (21+14+15+[...]). The characters on the last side are illegible.[1] The inscription (undated) can be paleographically dated to c. 1200-1250 AD.[1] The stone pillar (bearing the inscription) was originally situated on the Periyapattinam beach.[2]
The inscription begins with the traditional invocation 'Swasti Sri' ('Hail Prosperity').[1] It mentions details of the land donated to certain 'Cutapalli' ('the Jewish Synagogue') alias 'Ainnutruvar Perumpalli' ('the Great Synagogue of the Ainnutruvar Merchant Guild').[1]
The boundaries of the land or plot donated to the synagogue in Periyapattinam are also described.
- On the eastern border — 'Valaiceri' and the 'Mutucku Vali'[1]
- On the southern border — the 'garden lands' of Tirumutuccolacilai Cettiyar, 'Patinenpumi' (the Eighteen Countries) Ceyapalan and Kuttan Tevanar.[1]
- On the western border —
Discovery and context
[edit]The record was discovered by P. Satish, analysed by V. Rajaguru, president, Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation,[1] and deciphered by epigraphist S. Rajagopal.[2] The stones from the Periyapattinam beach were brought to Valantaravai in the 1940s to construct sidewall of a well.[2] The stone was being used for washing cloths at the time of the discovery (2022).[2]
Context
[edit]The settlement of 'Peryapatnam', along with 'Madayi' (in northen Kerala) and 'Cherigandaram' (unidentified), was listed as one of the first Jewish settlements on the Malabar Coast [sic] by Mosseh Pereyra De Paiva, a Portuguese Jewish trader from Amsterdam, in 1686, based on information he received from his interlocutors at Cochin.[5] The 'Peryapatnam' of the Jewish traditions was previously identified with Pattanam near Cranganore.[9]
An undated Hebrew language inscription was previously found on a gravestone of certain "Mariam, daughter of David", at Periyapattinam.[1] The record also contained a prayer for the peace of the soul. The slab was later moved to the office of the Samsthanam Revenue officer, Ramnad (and is now lost).[10][6] A donative record of Maravarma Sundara Pandya to the pilarpalli or the Periyapattinam Jalal Jamal Mosque can be found at the Thirupullani Temple.[11]
See also
[edit]- Jewish copper plates of Cochin (11th century)
- Viraraghava copper plates of Cochin (13th century)
- Quilon Syrian copper plates (9th century)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Stone Pillar with Inscription on Jewish Trade Links Found Near Ramanathapuram". The New Indian Express. 13 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Sivarajah, Padmini (13 July 2022). "Stone Inscription of Oldest Synagogue in Tamil Nadu Found". The Times of India.
- ^ a b Reich, Aaron (14 July 2022). "Stone in Tamil Nadu May Shed Light on India's Oldest Synagogue, Jews". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Subbarayalu, Y. (2015). "Trade Guilds of South India up to the Tenth Century". Studies in People's History. 2 (1): 24–25. doi:10.1177/2348448915574403.
- ^ a b Gamliel, Ophira (2023). Judaism in South India, 849–1489: Relocating Malabar Jewry. ARC Humanities Press. p. 119. doi:10.1515/9781802701715. ISBN 9781802701715.
- ^ a b c "Ancient Tombstone with Hebrew Inscriptions Found in Tamil Nadu". The New Indian Express. 2024.
- ^ Jovial, Nirmal (2024). "Ancient Tombstone with Hebrew Inscriptions Found in TN's Ramanathapuram, May Shed Light on a Long Forgotten Jewish Community in India". The Week Magazine.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu Discovers One Of Oldest Synagogue". Outlook Magazine. 15 July 2022.
- ^ Jussay, P. M. (2005). The Jews of Kerala. Publication Division, University of Calicut. ISBN 978-81-7748-091-7.
- ^ Chhabra, B. C. (ed.). "Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy". Annual Reports on Indian Epigraphy. 1946–47. Department of Archaeology: 16–17.
- ^ Rafi, S. Muhammad (12 July 2022). "Rāmanātapuram Arukē Kaṇṭeṭukkappaṭṭa 13-m Nūṟṟāṇṭu Kalveṭṭil Takaval". The Hindu.