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Studies in Cola History and Administration c2: Preface

Studies in Cōḻa History and Administration c2

Language
English

Preface

c2.1

Of the seven studies included in this volume, all except the first two are based on lectures delivered in 1930-31.

c2.2

The discussion of the historical value of the Puranānūru is a necessary introduction to the consideration of the problems relating to Karikāla, the early Cōḷa king. In the three following essays, an attempt is made to present a general view of rural administration under the Cōḷas with special reference to the working of the Sabhās of two villages. The celebrated Parāntaka inscriptions of Uttaramērūr are next studied in detail and the nature of their constitutional provisions examined. The texts of these inscriptions in Appendix II have been corrected, generally on the lines indicated by Venkayya. The last essay traces the life and work of one of the leading officials of the reigns of Kulōttuṅga I and his son.

c2.3

My thanks are due to the Syndicate of the University of Madras for sanctioning the publication of this work. I am under obligation to the officers of the Archaeological Survey of India for the permission accorded to me to consult transcripts and impressions of unpublished inscriptions. I acknowledge with pleasure the assistance rendered by Messrs. S. S. Suryanarayana Sastri and S. Vaiyapuri Pillai who read the proofs and made valuable suggestions, Mr. V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar who kindly checked the references, and Mr. S. R. Balasubrahmanya Aiyar who prepared the Index.

c2.4

UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS, } 20th June 1932 K. A. N.

c2.5

the Lacedaemonians, who had been waiting for the signal, now attacked the city. The Plataeans, seeing the enemy already inside and their own men falling, and knowing nothing of the plot, were seized with panic and, thinking that the Thebans were far more numerous than they really were, surrendered at discretion. But when they discovered that the Thebans were few, they took heart and, resolving to attack them, closed the gates and fell upon them.

c2.6

The Thebans, finding themselves in a trap, began to defend themselves. Twice or thrice they repelled the attacks of the Plataeans, but when the women and slaves began to shout and throw tiles and stones from the houses, and a heavy rain began to fall, the Thebans, confused and blinded, broke and fled through the city. Most of them, not knowing the way in the darkness and rain, fell into the drains or were killed by the Plataeans, who knew the streets. The gate through which they had entered had been shut by a Plataean who had found a javelin-head and used it as a bolt, so that there was no way out. Pursued through the city, some climbed the wall and jumped down, most of them perishing; others reached the gate and, finding it shut, were cut down by the women and slaves. A small party, seeing a large building with an open door, rushed in, thinking it was a gate, and were captured.

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Meanwhile, the main body of the Thebans, who were to have arrived at daybreak to support the first party, had been delayed by the rain and the swollen river Asopus. When they heard of the disaster, they hurried to the city, intending to seize any Plataeans who might be outside the walls. The Plataeans, suspecting their intention, sent a herald to them, warning them not to harm the prisoners they had taken, and threatening to kill them if they did not withdraw from their territory. The Thebans, upon this, retired.

c2.8

The Plataeans, having thus cleared the city, collected their dead and the prisoners. The prisoners, numbering about one hundred and eighty, were executed the next day, despite a message from the Thebans claiming that they had surrendered on terms. The Plataeans denied this, asserting that they had promised to spare them only if they did not commit further acts of violence.

c2.9

Thus ended the attempt of the Thebans upon Plataea, an event which was the immediate cause of the war between Athens and the Peloponnesians. The Plataeans, having secured their city, sent a messenger to Athens with the news, and the Athenians, fearing for the safety of the Plataeans, sent a garrison to their aid and removed the women and children to Athens.

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