Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s18.t3: 4.15.3 Irrigation

c23.s18.t3.1

A short Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscription from Erettimalai (No. *114*, ca. 5th century A.D.) is engraved on a smooth shoe-shaped granite stone. The inscription describes the function of the device as a 'stone (stopper) fitted in the vent of a sluice'. While inscriptions on stone outlets (*tūmpu*) to regulate water supply from irrigation sources are common, the present inscription occurs uniquely on the stone stopper used to regulate the flow of water.