Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s20: 4.17 Professions
Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s20
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Contents
- c23.s20.t1 4.17.1 Mason and master mason — 2 parts
- c23.s20.t2 4.17.2 Producer or seller of salt — 2 parts
- c23.s20.t3 4.17.3 Carpenter — 1 part
- c23.s20.t4 4.17.4 Mahout or charioteer — 1 part
- c23.s20.t5 4.17.5 Goldsmith — 2 parts
4.17 Professions
4.17.1 Mason and master mason
c23.s20.t1.1
The expression *u(p)paruva[ṉ\*]* which appears to be an occupational or family name occurs in an inscription at Kongarpuliyankulam (No. *11*, ca. 2nd century B.C.). The name is borne by an *upaca-aṉ* (*upaccaṉ*), a Jaina *upādhyāya*. The name seems to indicate that he belonged to a family of masons. Cf. Ta. *upparavar* 'tank and well-diggers', *uppāṟakkāraṉ* 'one who plasters a well'; Ka. *uppāṟa* 'brick-layer, plasterer, stone mason'. It is remarkable that a person who belonged to a family of masons became a Jaina *upādhyāya*.
c23.s20.t1.2
The expression *perunta(c)caṉ* 'master mason' occurs in the Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscription at Pillaiyarpatti (No. *117*, ca. 6th century A.D.).
4.17.2 Producer or seller of salt
c23.s20.t2.1
The expression *umaṇ(a)*- 'producer or seller of salt' occurs in a fragmentary pottery inscription (ca. 1st century B.C.) from Uraiyur.¹
c23.s20.t2.2
¹ K.V. Raman (ed.) 1988: p. 73, No. 3, Fig. 24.3, Pl. 16. Also see Fig. 1.19C in this vol.
4.17.3 Carpenter
c23.s20.t3.1
The wooden posts or beams for the canopy in front of the cave shelter at Mamandur (No. *73*, ca. 3rd century A.D.) were made by a *ta(c)caṉ* 'carpenter'. The term *taccaṉ* can also mean a 'stone mason' as shown by the expression *perunta(c)caṉ* 'master mason' mentioned above.
4.17.4 Mahout or charioteer
c23.s20.t4.1
The place name *pākaṉ-ūr* (*pākaṉūr*) occurring in an inscription at Kongarpuliyankulam (No. *13*, ca. 2nd century B.C.) is probably derived from *pākaṉ* 'an elephant mahout or a charioteer'.
4.17.5 Goldsmith
c23.s20.t5.1
One of the donors in an inscription from Alagarmalai (No. *36*, ca. 1st century B.C.) is described as *poṉ-kolvaṉ* (LT *poṉ-kollaṉ*) 'goldsmith'.²
c23.s20.t5.2
² See section 3.2.2(v) for the interpretation.