South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c14.s1.80

c14.s1.80

May prosperity attend. The reign of the king of (Sakalanṛpakulak-kōn) the family of kings (Rājarāja), great King of kings. (Rājādhirāja) king of the whole group of kings. In the year 761 of the lord of kings (Rājākkaḷtambirān), in the month of Panguni (March-April), on the fifth day, we the citizens of Pon-Amarāvati¹ (Nāṭṭavar), executed a deed of agreement to the residents of Virayāchchilai and the (attached) villages, and to those of Koṭṭiyūr and attached villages on the terms hereunder set forth:— The lord of kings (above referred to) ordered the destruction of Śūraikkuḍi² by sending forward at the head of their troops Manjilis Elis Khan, Az-am Khan, Muazam Khan under the command of Rājātti Khan. Having destroyed Śūraikkuḍi these had encamped in Māttūr Kuḷam³ to which they summoned the inhabitants of Virayāchchilai and Koṭṭiyūr. As a consequence, since the said lord of kings charged both Dhunad Khan and ourselves with the protection of these subjects (of his) under proper assurance, we agreed that the people of Virayāchchilai⁴ and those of Koṭṭiyūr,⁵ having assembled in their nāḍu (assembly of townsmen), do pay us what is due to us as a matter of longstanding custom; and that they do so, united as one body. It was further agreed that the deed of agreement be incised in the rock containing the temple of Tirukkōḷakkuḍi Nāyanār (the god at the rock-cut temple in the place). In consequence thereof, meeting in our own assembly, we got this inscription cut out, agreeing to discharge the duty to which we are liable, as long as the sun and the moon should last; we of the Pon-Amarāvati nāḍu to the inhabitants of Virayāchchilai and attached villages, and to those of Koṭṭiyūr and attached villages.