Centuries-old stone tablets in Pudukottai speak of custodians

TRICHY: A group of archaeology enthusiasts and a research scholar belonging to the Pudukkottai archaeology research forum has identified three Aasiriyam (declaration) stone tablets that date back to the period between the 13th and 16th centuries. Aasiriyam tablets are rare documentations sculpted in stone tablets assigning a person or team as a custodian responsible to manage and take care of a temple, a water body or a village.
According to A Manikandan, a research scholar in Thanjavur Tamil University, the three stone tablets were identified within a radius of 25km in Thirumayam town. The tablets were found in fragments and were written in readable Tamil script.
The tablet recovered from a vacant land near Thevarmalai Sivan temple mentioned about Agamara Manickanar, who was appointed as custodian of the Sivan temple whose chief deity is identified as Nayagar Nambigal. During the years between the 13th and 16th centuries, the present day Pudukottai district was ruled by a number of small chieftains. They appointed reliable and able persons as Aasiriyam (custodian or protector) of the properties.
“People recognised as Aasiriyamwere more like present day’s village administrative officers who served as tax collectors and authority to resolve the grievances,” Manikandan said.
In Panaiyur Kulamangalam, the tablet found in a vacant land identifies one Bahuya Nayakkar as the Aasiriyam of the village. The tablet was estimated to be from the 14th century. Similarly, in Sevvalur village near Ponnamaravathi, a team named A Virutharaiyargal, probably a group of men, were appointed as custodians of the village.