Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s7.t5: 4.6.5 Servant (of the king)

c23.s7.t5.1

Kaṭalaṉ Vaḷuti is the donor of a *paḷḷi* at Mangulam (**No. *1*, ca. 2nd century B.C.**). He is described as the *paṇa-aṉ* (*paṇavaṉ*) of *neṭuñcaliyaṉ* (Neṭuñceliayaṉ). The expression *paṇavaṉ* is derived from *paṇ* 'service' and means literally a 'servant' (*TL*). The expression may, however, be interpreted in the present context as a 'royal servant' or high functionary under Neṭuñceḷiyaṉ, the reigning Pāṇṭiya king. He was most probably a Pāṇṭiya prince or vassal, judging from his name Vaḷuti.