[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Archaeology, epigraphy and coins](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy) › [Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003) › c5.7 # Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c5.7 Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c5.7 - **Language:** English ### [c5.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c5.7) The decipherment of the cave inscriptions has produced new evidence proving conclusively the association of Jainism with the caves. There are no vestiges of Buddhist or Ājīvika occupation of the caves. The hitherto unsuspected influence of Old Kannada on the language of the cave inscriptions from the earliest period has shown that Jainism reached the Tamil country through Karnataka at a very early date not later than ca. third century B.C. - [Previous: c5.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c5.6) - [Next: c5.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c5.8) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c5) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c5.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.mahadevan-2003.c5.7) · Pramāṇa