Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s24.t2: 4.21.2 Fauna
Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s24.t2
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4.21.2 Fauna
c23.s24.t2.1
(i) Elephant
c23.s24.t2.2
In the Anaimalai inscription (No. *60*, ca. 2nd century A.D.), the hill on which the cave shelter is situated, is described as *iva-kuṉṟa*-, literally, 'elephant hill'; cf. LT *ipam* 'elephant' (<Skt. *ibha*).
c23.s24.t2.3
(ii) Tiger
c23.s24.t2.4
The place name *palpuli*, literally '(place of) many tigers' occurs in the Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu inscription at Edakal-B (No. *118*, ca. 5th century A.D.).
c23.s24.t2.5
(iii) Cock
c23.s24.t2.6
The Early Vaṭṭeluttu inscriptions at Arasalapuram (No. *112*, ca. 5th century A.D.) and Indalur (No. *113*, ca.6th century A.D.) are memorial stones for cocks which presumably died while fighting for their villages. The stelae depict the figures of the bird described as *kōḻi* 'fowl in general', but 'cock' in the context of the inscriptions.