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Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s4.t3: 4.3.3 Cēra inscriptions from Kerala

Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s4.t3

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4.3.3 Cēra inscriptions from Kerala

c23.s4.t3.1

The Edakal inscriptions (Nos. **80** & **82**, ca. 3rd century A.D.) in Kerala are the only records of the Cēras of the Caṅkam Age found so far in the western region of ancient Tamil country. Unlike the Irumpoṟai inscriptions at Pugalur, those at Edakal are very brief and mention only the names of the Cēra kings. Inscriptional and literary evidence points to the existence of two branches of the Cēra dynasty, one on the west coast and the other ruling from Karur. The mention of the name *cēra* and the absence of the name *irumpoṟai* in the Edakal records would appear to indicate that they refer to the Cēra line ruling from the west coast.

c23.s4.t3.2

One of the inscriptions (No. **80**) reads *kaṭummiputa cēra* (Kaṭumiputta Cēra). The hybrid expression in the first part of the name seems to be a title comprising *kaṭumi-* 'the ferocious one' and *-puta* = *-makaṉ* > *-māṉ* 'man'. The expression may thus be equated with *kaṭumān*, a title borne by the Cēra kings, Kuṭṭuvaṉ Kōtai ² and Māntarañcēral Irumpoṟai.³ The title *kaṭummiputa* resembles *satiyaputō* borne by the Atiyamāṉs of Takaṭūr (No. **59**).

c23.s4.t3.3

² *Puṟa*. 54.

c23.s4.t3.4

³ *Puṟa*. 53.

c23.s4.t3.5

The other inscription (No. **82**) reads *kō-v-ātaṉ* (kō Ātaṉ) 'King Ātaṉ'. The name Ātaṉ is especially associated with the Cēra dynasty; but the Cēra king mentioned in this record cannot be identified in the absence of details.

Linked texts (1)