Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c25.s19.t3: 5.19.3 Evolution of Vaṭṭeḻuttu: the middle phase (7-10 centuries a.d.)
Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c25.s19.t3
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5.19.3 Evolution of Vaṭṭeḻuttu: the middle phase (7-10 centuries a.d.)
c25.s19.t3.1
The middle phase may be described as the Classical Age of Vaṭṭeḻuttu, when the script was patronised by independent and powerful rulers of the Pāṇṭiya and Cēra dynasties. The copperplate grants and numerous temple inscriptions of this period are the primary sources for the reconstruction of the medieval history of the Pāṇṭiya and Cēra kingdoms.¹ While the Tamil script supplanted Vaṭṭeḻuttu in the northern region from the middle of the 8th century a.d., Vaṭṭeḻuttu held its ground in the southern region up to the end of the 10th century a.d. After the Cōḻa conquest of the Pāṇṭiya country and its incorporation into the Cōḻa Empire, Vaṭṭeḻuttu was displaced by the Tamil script in the southern region also.
c25.s19.t3.2
¹ See especially *SII*. XIV (*The Pāṇḍyas*); *TAS*. I-III; *Pāṇṭiyar Ceppēṭukaḷ*.