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Periyapattinam Jewish Inscription
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Periyapattinam Jewish Inscription (c.13th century AD), also Valantaravai inscription, is a medieval merchant guild inscription discovered from near Valantaravai, Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu in southern India.[1][2] The record was originally installed on the Periyapattinam beach.[2]
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The epigraph mentions details of the land donated to certain 'Cutapalli' ('the Jewish Synagogue') at Periyapattinam.[1] It is one of the rare records mentioning early Jewish, Christian and Muslim presence in southern India.[3][1] and dates to the period of ascendancy of the Ainnutruvar or Ayyavole Five Hundred merchant guild in south India (incorporating manigramam and anjuvannam).[4]
The settlement of 'Peryapatnam' is traditionally listed as one of the first Jewish settlements in southern India.[5] An undated Hebrew language inscription was previously found at Periyapattinam.[1] The Valantaravai record incidentally mentions certain "tarisapalli" or the Christian church (similar to the Quilon Syrian copper plates from Kerala).[1] A tombstone with a Hebrew inscription was found in an unused well in a coconut farm near Periyapattinam in 2024.[6] The marker is dated in multiple eras (including Shvat 1536/1537 of the Seleucid era, corresponding to 1224/1225 AD).[6][7]
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Material and contents
The record is inscribed on the four sides of a stone pillar (3 feet x 1 foot) in Tamil language (21+14+15+[...]). The characters on the last side are illegible.[1] The inscription (undated) can be paleographically dated to c. 1200-1250 AD.[1] The stone pillar (bearing the inscription) was originally situated on the Periyapattinam beach.[2]
The inscription begins with the traditional invocation 'Swasti Sri' ('Hail Prosperity').[1] It mentions details of the land donated to certain 'Cutapalli' ('the Jewish Synagogue') alias 'Ainnutruvar Perumpalli' ('the Great Synagogue of the Ainnutruvar Merchant Guild').[1]
The boundaries of the land or plot donated to the synagogue in Periyapattinam are also described.
- On the eastern border — 'Valaiceri' and the 'Mutucku Vali'[1]
- On the southern border — the 'garden lands' of Tirumutuccolacilai Cettiyar, 'Patinenpumi' (the Eighteen Countries) Ceyapalan and Kuttan Tevanar.[1]
- On the western border —
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Discovery and context
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Perspective
The record was discovered by P. Satish, analysed by V. Rajaguru, president, Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation,[1] and deciphered by epigraphist S. Rajagopal.[2] The stones from the Periyapattinam beach were brought to Valantaravai in the 1940s to construct sidewall of a well.[2] The stone was being used for washing cloths at the time of the discovery (2022).[2]
Context
The settlement of 'Peryapatnam', along with 'Madayi' (in northen Kerala) and 'Cherigandaram' (unidentified), was listed as one of the first Jewish settlements on the Malabar Coast [sic] by Mosseh Pereyra De Paiva, a Portuguese Jewish trader from Amsterdam, in 1686, based on information he received from his interlocutors at Cochin.[5] The 'Peryapatnam' of the Jewish traditions was previously identified with Pattanam near Cranganore.[9]
An undated Hebrew language inscription was previously found on a gravestone of certain "Mariam, daughter of David", at Periyapattinam.[1] The record also contained a prayer for the peace of the soul. The slab was later moved to the office of the Samsthanam Revenue officer, Ramnad (and is now lost).[10][6] A donative record of Maravarma Sundara Pandya to the pilarpalli or the Periyapattinam Jalal Jamal Mosque can be found at the Thirupullani Temple.[11]
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See also
References
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