‘13th century’ inscription with lion emblem found in Sivaganga

Sivaganga: A ‘13th-century aasiriyam (protection)’ inscription bearing a lion emblem was unearthed at Chozhapuram, near Sivaganga, adding to the growing body of epigraphic evidence from the region.Balasundaram, a resident, found the stone with an engraving near a tank and alerted the Sivaganga Tholnadai Kuzhu, an archaeological enthusiasts group.Following a study of the stone, K Kalirasa, the secretary of the group, said Chozhapuram yielded several inscriptions. “Last month, a similar inscription with a tiger emblem was discovered in the village,” he said.The inscription mentions ‘Etti Eriyan’, also found in the tiger-emblem inscription from the Etikkanmoi tank, which continues to be known by the same name.

The reference to ‘Etti Eri Pandi’ on the recent inscription suggests that Etti Eriyan may have served as a local ruler or royal representative of the Pandya kingdom.While earlier inscriptions referred to the settlement as Mudikonda Chozhapuram and Jeyankonda Chozhapuram, this inscription calls it ‘Jeyankonda Pandyapuram,’ indicating a political shift.The nine-line inscription, measuring about 2.5ft high and 1ft wide, records the grant of ‘aasiriyam’ — a form of protection and support — to a lion-banner warrior. Based on its script, the inscription is dated to the 13th century, according to the group.