Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s23.t1.7

c23.s23.t1.7

The personal name *caiyaḷaṉ* occurring in an inscription from Muttuppatti (No. **57**, ca. 1st century A.D.) has been interpreted as one belonging to Sri Lanka; cf. Skt. *saimhala/aka-* 'one from *simhala* (Sri Lanka)'. However, other interpretations are also possible deriving the name from Skt. *siṁha* 'lion' or *sahya* (Ta. *caiyam*) 'the Sahyādri' (as discussed in the Commentary).