Sanskrit Inscriptions of Tamilnadu (A Literary Study)

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This book highlights the literary beauty contained in the Sanskrit epigraphs of Tamil Nadu belonging to the Pallava, Pandya and Chola times (upto c. 1310 A.D.). It offers a fascinating and detailed study of the numerous metres, similes, rhetoric and poetical style employed by the composers of these epigraphs. The way in which the Ramayana of Valmik and the numerous works of Kalidasa, especially the Raghuvamsa (have influenced the style of the poets of ancient Tamil Nadu is also clearly seen here. This book is indeed a distinct and valuable contribution to the field of epigraphy as well as Sanskrit studies.

Charu Madhavan obtained her B.A. Degree in Sanskrit from the University of Madras in 1963 and subsequently her M.A. Degree from the same University in 1965. She has been actively involved in teaching the same at the High School and College level for approximately twenty years. She, was awarded the senior fellowship in epigraphy by the Department of Culture, Govt. of India from 2001-2003 and this book embodies the result of her research carried out during that period.

This book embodies the result of the research carried out by me from 2001-2003 as a recipient of the Senior Fellowship in Epigraphy, Government of India.

I am immensely grateful to Dr. K.V. Raman, Former Prof. and Head, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras, for suggesting this topic to me and for his valuable suggestions and encouragement at every stage of my research work.

I sincerely thank Dr. Srikantha Sarma, Lecturer, Madras Sanskrit College, Chennai for all the help he has rendered to me during the period of this research work. I thank my family for their support and constant encouragement. My special thanks to my daughter, Dr. Chithra Madhavan for helping me at every stage of my research work.

I wholeheartedly thank Shri B.L. Bansal of Sharada Publishing House for the interest and enthusiasm he has shown in bringing out this book.

Of all the sources for writing about the history of ancient India, namely numismatics, epigraphy, legends and folklore, the study of inscriptions or epigraphy is the most important one as these epigraphs provide copious and authentic data about various aspects of life in the ancient period.

The inscriptions discovered in different parts of India are found written in different languages, but a majority of them are composed in Sanskrit as it was the court language of many of the ruling dynasties of ancient India and was widely understood across the length and breadth of this subcontinent. An indepth analysis of these Sanskrit epigraphs, both lithic as well as those found inscribed on copper-plate charters reveals that they serve not only as sources for knowing about the administrative, economic, social and cultural conditions of those times, but also reveal the standard and style of this language in the different periods. According to A.A. Macdonell, 'The inscriptions are important in connection with Sanskrit literature as illustrating both the early history of Indian writing and the state of the language at that time.

**Contents and Sample Pages**