Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c20.s11: 1.11 Distribution of Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscriptions
Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c20.s11
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1.11 Distribution of Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscriptions
c20.s11.1
The number of Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscriptions³ discovered so far is significantly less than that of the Tamil-Brāhmī inscriptions of the earlier period. This situation looks unusual as one should expect increasing number of inscriptions with the spread of literacy, better communications and trade. Such a development did take place later in the Tamil country from the 7th century *A.D.* when there was a phenomenal increase in the number of Tamil inscriptions with each passing century. The conclusion is inescapable that the discontinuity in the lithic records in the Tamil country was due to political upheaval and unsettled conditions and the consequent decline in trade caused during the Kalabhra interregnum when a non-Tamil tribe (most probably from Karnataka) uprooted the long-established Tamil monarchies towards the end of the 3rd century *A.D.* It was only towards the end of the 6th century *A.D.* that the Pāṇṭiyas in the south and the Pallavas in the north defeated the Kalabharas and restored order which was reflected in the steadily increasing number of inscriptions thereafter.
c20.s11.2
The regional distribution of Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscriptions is also significantly different from that of the Tamil-Brāhmī inscriptions in the earlier period. As against five sites in the northern region and three in the western region, there are only two in the southern region, while the eastern region continues in the last place with just one site. Considering that the Vaṭṭeḻuttu script evolved from Tamil-Brāhmī, one should expect more Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu records from the southern region. The fact that this is not so again demonstrates the political instability in this region until the restoration of the Pāṇṭiya rule. With the significant exception of the Pulankurichi inscriptions in the south, most of the Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu records in this transitional period are found on the herostones in Dharmapuri District and Chengam Taluk in the western region. After the 7th century *A.D.*, increasing number of Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscriptions occur in the southern region under the restored Pāṇṭiya rule.⁴
c20.s11.3
⁴ See section 5.19 on Vaṭṭeḻuttu.