South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c11.30

c11.30

Brahmastpuri is Chidambaram.—There are three places that figure in this campaign frequently, ‘Bir Dhul,’ ‘Kandur,’ and ‘Jalkotta.’ Any identification of all these, from the nature of their names as given by Amir Khusru, must turn upon the identification of the great temple Brahmastpuri, which Malik Kafur plundered. According to the description given there, it was a temple roofed over with gold, set with gems. It contained both the Linga, emblematic of Śiva (Ling Mahadeo), and Viṣṇu (Deo Narain). These indications give sufficient lead to identify the place with Chidambaram. Chidambaram is popularly known as Kanakasabhā or Ponnambalam (golden hall) from Pallava times. That was because the whole of the inner shrine of the temple was roofed over with gold, and that was renewed two or three times under the great Cholas.