Compliance Engineering Journal ISSN NO: 0898-3577 HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT SAM ROHAN M.Phil. History, MANONMANIAM SUNDARANAR UNIVERSITY, TIRUNELVELI. [email protected] Abstract: Thoothukudi district is found in the state of Tamilnadu. It is one of the important ancient places that deserve attention during the rule of cheras, cholas and pandyas. Various foreign traders also visited this place. The historical heritage of thoothukudi district is also an interesting one. Adichanallur and korkai are two ancient significant cities found in thoothukudi district. The some of the ancient historical and heritage places are mentioned in this article. Keywords- History, Antiquity, Inscriptions, Heritage, Temples. Introduction The history of Thoothukudi District originates from pre historic times. Microlithic culture is evident in many places. The microlithic tools were obtained from Meygnapuram, Sawyerpuram, Nazareth, Kuttampuli and Manadu. Of these places, Sawyerpuram is a pronounced site for Microlithic tools. These tools are sufficient source materials to know the culture of microlithic men. However vestiges of Neolithic age are not evidenced so far in this district. Signs of megalithic age that followed Neolithic age are in plenty in several villages of the district. The burial urns and black and red ware of the age is pointer to the Megalithic culture that flourished here. Adichhannallur parambu also called Talikkadu by Archaeologists, has yielded burial urns of various hues and sizes to the world of Archaeology. The burial urns, the iron implements and weapons indicate the coexistence of Megalithic and iron age culture in Tamil Nadu. The age of Adichchanallur dating back to 2800 years, recalls the memories of the culture and Civilization that marked the age. Similar urn burials are noted in the villages of Vasavappapuram, Vallanadu, Pasuvandanai, Korkai and Kalugumalai. These exemplify the widespread megalithic culture of the district. Korkai has been a celebrated pandyan port in ancient times as evidenced by excavated antiquities like burial urns, broken conch pieces, pot sherds with ancient brahmi scripts and Volume 11, Issue 2, 2020 Page No: 284 Compliance Engineering Journal ISSN NO: 0898-3577 graffiti. The Tamil country had a flourishing trade With Rome. This has been exemplified by the occurence of rouletted wares from this region. The history and art of this District has thus been exemplified by the many Siva and Vishnu temples which belong to the period from 8 A.D. to 17 A.D. these temples glorified the pages of our ancient civilization and culture too. Kurumbur This village is situated on the Tirunelveli Tiruchendur main road and is included in the Tiruchendur Taluk. There is an ancient Vishnu Temple in this village. In the inscriptions the village is mentioned as Kurmbil alias Rajendra Srinallur”. The Temple contains inscriptions of the reign periods of Jatavarman Sundara Chola Pandy, Jatavarman Chola Pandya, Kulotunga I, Jatavarman, Srivallabha, Jatavarma Vira pandya etc. Uttaman Uran of Kurumbur and his son Uttaman Appi had constructed the Vishnu Temple in the reign of Sundra Chola Pandaya and conserceted the images of Vishnu and His Two consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. Further they purchased land from the village and donated it to the Temple for the daily offerings. These details are revealed in the Sundara Chola Pandya’s 29 th reignal year inscription. The presiding deity of the temple is named after the king as Sundara Chola Pandya Vinnagar Emberuman. During the regime of Sundara Pandya, the name of the deity was altered as Sundara Pandya Vinnagar Alwar. Black and Red pottery dated to 2000 years of age have been collected in the Perumal Temple premises and from the small mound in front of Veerasudamani Devi Temple pointing towards its antiquity. This evidence proves that people of megalithic age inhabited here. Kuttampuli It is located on the north of Tamraparani. Black and red ware and microlithic tools are available here. The tools are evidence for the life of middle Stone Age man’s habitation. The tools show a deep orange-brown patination. The presence of ware is an evidence for the habitation of megalithic people. The two identify the ancientness of the place. The sherds of black and red ware found here, are similar to megalithic urn-burial pottery of the district . Volume 11, Issue 2, 2020 Page No: 285 Compliance Engineering Journal ISSN NO: 0898-3577 Kulattur It is a place very near to Tuticorin. This place gains importance due to the presence of stone tools. Tools available here are dated to middle stone age. Here chert predominates as raw material and the tools bear yellowish brown dust over them. Manadu It lies 1.6 K.M. to the South-East of Kudiraimoli teri. Teri means desert region. Tools obtained here, are very limited with flakes form the angle of the striking platform and use marks indicate human effort to their manufacture. Maramangalam This village is very near to Korkai and is about 20 K.M. for Tuticorin and town bus plies between Tuticorin and Maramangalam. Two Temples one dedicated to Siva and the other to Vishnu are noteworthy pointing towards the antiquity of this place. Meiganapuram This place is situated 31 K.M. from Tiruchendur. Vestiges of Microlithic age are found here. In the teri site of the village, middle stone age implements are available, on the surface level itself. The implements are by far quite ancient. The site is located less than a Kilo metre south east of the Kudiraimoli teri. The age site is earlier than Sawyerpuram. This is proved by absence of blades and geometric forms and points Moreover the tools are highly stained. There is also a beautiful church which attracts the visitors. It was constructed by St. Thomas during 19 th Century. The stones form pannamparai were brought to construct this church. The natural colour of the tower remains undisturbed even after 200 years. A bell connecting the wall clock situated on the tower is still automatic in its working. It shall also be operated manually. Nazareth This is near the kuldiramoli teri to the north east of which meanders the Tambaraparani river. Tools obtained here bear testimony to its antiquity. Volume 11, Issue 2, 2020 Page No: 286 Compliance Engineering Journal ISSN NO: 0898-3577 Adichchanallur It lies 20 KM. from Tirunelveli on the Tirunelveli - Tiruchendur highway. The Adichchanallur Parambu of the place has a large mound and it starts ‘on the Southern bank of the Tambraparani river and extends South-north. The mound has brought a glorious name to this place. Archaeologists call this mound as Taalikkadu and it contains many urn burials. The site testifies to the existence of a big city. It also exemplifies the megalithic culture and iron- age culture, which prevailed here in unison. Dr. Jagore excavated the site first in 1876. The excavated antiquities were taken to Berlin Museum. In 190304 Mr. Louis Lapicque from Paris conducted excavations at Adittanallur Parambu. The excavated antiquities were taken to Paris museum. Prof. A. Rae conducted excavation here from 1899 - 1906. The antiquities excavated were taken to Madras -Museum. In 1914, A. Rae has published a book listing out the antiquities of Adichanallur excavation forwarded by KR. Andarson. During excavation burial urns measuring 3’4’ to 3’9’ in height and 10" in diameter at the opening were found. There were black and red ware, pottery of various shapes, and size, and other antiquities. Iron weapons used in warfare, short swords and hatchets were also found in plenty. Skulls of the dead, besides seeds of rice and millet are found according to the excavation reports. Bronze vessels and flower vessels and replica of buffalo, goat, cow, tiger, elephant and stag were the other items found in the urns Ornaments like bangles, rings, bracelets are also found. Bronze rice cokkers and sieves are the other excavated items. The vessels bear many Filigree works. The iron Implements of blacksmiths and fanners are also excavated. The excavated antiquities of Adichachanallur bring to light the ancient glory and culture of the place and civilization that flourished at this place 3000 years before. The mound is a protected site under the control of Archaeological survey of India. Ettayapuram The beginnings of the present Ettayapuram Zamin dates back to the first half of 16th century. With the defeat of then Vijayanagar King Ammadeva Raja at the hands of Muslims, the ancestor of present Ettayapuram Zamin one Muttu Ettappa Nayakar sought refuge in the Volume 11, Issue 2, 2020 Page No: 287 Compliance Engineering Journal ISSN NO: 0898-3577 Ativira Parakrama Pandya at Madurai. The Pandya King gave the latter some villages and also the task of eradicating the kallar menace. The event took place sometime between 1423 and 1443. The Zamin ancestors later shifted their head quarters to Ettayapuram. During the time of Tirumalai Nayak, some poligars rose in revolt against King and it was ascribed to the Ettayapuram Zamindar who spearheaded the campaign. The place acquired its present name as it was the effort of Ettappa Nayak, who groomed this village. This place rose into prominence in 18th century. The palace of Ettayapuram Zamindar stands as an outstanding testimony of 18th century architecture. In one part of the palace, things used by Zamindar like ancient palanquin, fly-whisk, torch and, umbrella symbols of bye gone tradition are still preserved and kept for posterity to have-a look at. Also are kept in view the ancient palm leaf records, dealing with the palace establishment. A Durbar Mandapam is in the central hall. Poet Subramania Bharati, who was then the Zamin’s poet laureate, composed and enacted many of his poems in this hall. The house where poet Bharati was born is now maintained and preserved by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeologyogy.