Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c20.s8.t5.1

c20.s8.t5.1

The discovery of a cave inscription at Pillaiyarpatti (Tiruppattur Taluk, Sivaganga District) by the ASI in 1935-36⁷ marks a turning point in Vaṭṭeḻuttu palaeography; unlike the earlier inscriptions in natural caves, it is engraved in a rock-cut shrine, the earliest in the Pāṇṭiya territory marking the revival of the Saiva faith. The *ARE* describes the inscription as in 'archaic' Vaṭṭeḻuttu; but the attempt made in the Report to read the text is unsuccessful.¹ The dating of the inscription to the 7th century A.D. seems to be influenced by the belief that no rock-cut shrine in Tamil Nadu could antedate Mahendra Pallava who is credited with introducing rock-cut architecture in this part of the country. However, a palaeographic comparison with Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscriptions discovered subsequently leads to the conclusion that the date of the Pillaiyarpatti inscription is unlikely to be later than the middle of the 6th century A.D.²