Dr.R.Nagaswamy #6B8E23 A copper coin of a historic interest was found by the Curator of Karur Museum in Tamil Nadu. The coin was found totally encrusted, beyond any recognition. It was gifted to the Karur Museum by a vessel merchant of Karur along with a number of coins, mostly modern, including two coins of Ra raja Chola, a common variety. Some of the encrusted coins were sent to the Chemist of the conservation laboratory in the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology. Half way through cleaning., the coins were examined by me and to my surprise I found that this particular coin showed signs of Tamil-Brahmi legends. A photograph was taken and the cleaning continued with extreme care. After full cleaning, we found the coin had Tamil-Brahmi legend.(1) I give below the description of the coin before sketching its historical importance. Description of the Coin Observe: Portrait of a king (figure) standing majestically beneath a torana (with four turrets). The king wields a sword in his extended right armwith its point planted on the ground. With his left arm he holds a shield, also resting on the ground. But for the Tamil legend, the portrait with its posture and attire, would be mistaken for a Roman soldier. Around the periphery is seen a legend in Tamil-Brahmi characters reading Ko-l-ii-p-pu-rai (six letters) Reverse: bow and arrow shown prominently. At a corner is seen a wavy line inside which are seen two fishes swimming. At the other corner is seen the hill motif, representation of Meru. Below this is seen a square in the middle of which is an animal probably representing a tiger. Further down is seen nandipaada partially. The legend on the observe as mentioned earlier reads Ko-l-ii-p-pu-rai. The paleography of the Tamil legend is assignable to the beginning of common era. The word Kolippurai consists of two words - Koli and Purai. Kolli is the name of a hill and Purai is the name of the Chera dynasty. The legend on the coin, therefore, stands for the Chera, the ruler of Kolli hill. Before we discuss the significance of this legend, we may briefly notice the hill as known to the ancient Tamils. The Kolli Hill The Kolli hill is situated in the Salem district of Tamilnadu, and lies about 40 km north-northeast of the ancient Karur, capital of the Cheras of Sangam age. The hill with its lofty peaks is graphically and frequently described in the Sangam Literature(2) assignable from second century B.C. to second century A.D. The Kolli hill on account of its height, was covered with clouds(3) and received good rainfall. It abounded in good fragrant flowers like Jasmine, Iruvatchi and Kantal.(4) A special variety of paddy was grown here.(5) Giant size beetles were found in the hill(6) The hill was more popular in the Sangam age for the beautiful sculpture of a Goddess called Kollip-paavai 7 (identical with Durga) carved on the western slopes of the hill. Iit was an impressive piece of art, charming and well known throughout the Tamil country. Identically it was perhaps the earliest rock-cut sculpture from Tamil-Nadu, though it has not so far been located. The Kolli hill was said to gladden the hearts of the visitors and at the same time infuse an awe and inexplicable fear on the others. It was called "bayam kelu kolli(8). The hill and its adjoining area were called the territorial division of Kolli - Kollik-kurram(9). The Rulers of Kolli Two rulers namely - the Chieftain Val-vil Ori and the Chera ruler Perum-cheral Irumporai are referred to in the Sangam works as the rulers of the Kolli hills. References to the hill appear over eighteen times in various works of Sangam collections, Ori appearing as the Lord of Kolli in seven instances and the Chera, in nine instances. It is of great interest to note that almost all the celebrated poets of the Sangam age like Paranar, Kapilar, Auvaiyaar, Arisilkilaar, Perum-chitranaar, Kallaadanaar and others have sung the Kolli hill. Among them Kapilar, Vanparanar, Nattattanaar, and Perum-chitranaar refer to Val-vil Ori as the Lord of Kolli hill,(10) whereas the poetess Auvaiyaar and poets like Kurum-koliyuur Kilaar, Perum-kunruur Kilaar, Tayam Kannanaar, celebrate this hill(11) under the rule of Poraiyan Kolli(12) and Vaanavan Kolli. (13). However, the greatest poet of the sangam age - Paranar, mentions that Kolli belonged to Ori the chieftain- Ori Kolli(14) and in other verses praises Chera as the Lord of Kolli hill - Poraiyan Kolli(15). This must be considered significant, which will be discussed in the sequence. The other significant reference to Kolli occurs in the Tamil epic Silappadikaram, 12 in which the Chera is praised as the ruler of Kolli - by the poet Ilango-adigal. Val-vil Ori Ori, the Lord of Kolli hill, was celebrated as one of seven great vallal - patron of the Sangam age. He was a great archer and hence, came to be called Val-vil Ori 17 He was probably the son of Adan and was called Adan Ori(18) He had a swift horse also named Ori(19). It is seen from the description of him found in the works that he was a great connoisseur of music and dance. The dancers who came to his court were honoured with great fortunes and a golden garland with kuvalai flowers fastened to silver threads(20). Because of his bountiful gifts to dancers and musicians, he came to be included among the seven celebrated patrons. It is said that the wealth bestowed on the dancers, made them forget even their art. A paana is said to have sung a vannam(21) composition on him. The viralis accompanying the Paanan played on yaaz, little drum, the great flute and patalai as orchestra. Twenty-one forms of musical compositions are said to have been composed in his honour by the musicians(22) Ori's great valour, love for poetry, music and dance and also bountiful gifts endeared him to the poets. This chieftain picked up an enmity with then Chera ruler whose capital Karur was hardly forty kilometers from this hill. However, he was a great friend of Atiyamaan Nedumaan Anji, another chieftain, who had his capital at Tagadur. These chieftains enlisted the help of the two crowned rulers - the Chola and Pandya against the Chera. It is difficult to be precise on the chronology of events. It would be interesting to briefly note the history of the Chera ruler under reference. Perum-cheral Irumporai The Chera king Perum-cheral Irumporai was the son of Selvak Kadungo Vaazi Adan, through his queen Padumandevi(23) The Patirru-pattu - 8th decad gives him 17 years of rule(24) It is seen that Karur, the capital of the Chera was captured by the Chola ruler Killi Valavan(25) and the Chera fought back and wrested it from the Chola and assumed the title "Ko-Perum-cheral-Irumporai - who ascended the throne at Karur"(26). Probably this was the strife between the Chera and the Chola, in which the other chieftains were drawn in. The Chera used to wear excellent ornaments, made at the village of Kodumanam(27) Wearing the hide of the spotted deer decorated with pearls, he performed with his queen a Vedic sacrifice in an altar laid in the form of an eagle - (syena citi), and as a result obtained heroic sons (28). The kindness he bestowed on a poet Mosi Kiran, who unknowingly slept on the seat of the royal drum, is celebrated in the Sangam works(29). Another great event in his life was the gift of his entire kingdom to the poet but the latter returned it to the king, who is said to have gifted 9,00,000 gold kanams (coins) to the poet. The Conflict The Chera Perum-cheral Irumporai was a great friend of another chieftain Malaiyamaan Thiru-mudi Kaari, who had his capital at Thirukkoyilur(30). This capital was besieged by Adigaimaan of Tagadur(31) An inscription in Tamil-Bramii characters of first century CE pointing to the occupation of the regioin has been recently found at a village called Jambai near Thiruk-koilur, thus confirming the literary data(32). This led to counter expeditions. The chieftains Adigaimaan and Ori and the rulers the Chola and the Pandya allied themselves and opposed the Chera. The later was assisted by Kaari of Thiruk-koiyilur. A decisive battle was fought at a place called Niikuur in the territorial division of Kolli-kuurram (33). The two kings - the Chola and the Adigaimaan, abandoning their weapons and war drums escaped from the battlefield thourougly routed. Kaari of Thirukkoiyilur engaged Ori of Kolli hill, killed him in the battle, captured the Kolli hill and presented it to the Chera(34) The Chera on his part chased Adigaimaan(35) into his capital Tagadur, besieged the town, and finally killed him. This victorious march to Tagadur by the Chera is celebrated in a great work called Tagadur Yattirai(36), besides a number of Sangam works. The capture of Kollik-kuurram and Tagadur by the Chera and the fierce battle are prominently mentioned in Pattirrup-pattu work. The conquest of Kolli hill is one of the most significant events in the life of Perum -cheral Irumporai. From then on the poets started addressing the Chera as "Perum Cheral Irumporai, as the Lord of Kolli hills", and the hill as that of Poraiyan - "Poraiyan Kolli" The Issuer of the Coin The coin under discussion bearing the legend "Kollip-purai" obviously is an issue of the Chera, "the ruler of" or "the victor of Kolli". Poraiyan is one of the dynastic name of the Chera. A number of rulers of this dynasty were called Poraiyan. At least a few names are well known, viz - Kop-perum Cheral Irumporai(37), Ilam-cheral Irumporai(38), Mantaram-cheral Irumporai (39). However, it is only the first mentioned ruler Kopperum-cheral Irumporai, who is credited with the capture of Kolli hill. The coin is certainly a commemorative coin, celebrating the conquest of Kolli, (like the later coins bearing the legends Gangai-konda- Chola(40), Cho-nadu-kondan(41) and Talak-kaadu-kondan(42). The prominence given to the dynastic emblem 'the bow' on the reverse clearly establishes the Chera origin of the coin. The fish shown swimming and the caged tiger, indicate the chera's suzerainty over the Pandya and the Chola. A few other points also deserve notice at this stage. Most of the Tamil works give the name of the Chera dynasty as "PORAIYAN" whereas it occurs as "PURAIYAN". The Chera of the Pugalur Inscription In this connection, the most important epigraphical notice on the hill of Pugalur (Arnattaar malai), about 15 km from Karur, the ancient capital of Cheras, deserve notice(43). The inscription is in Tamil-Brahmi characters, assignable to tbe beginning of the common era. It records the gift of a rock shelter to a Jaina ascetic, by a Chera ruler, Ilam-Kadungo. While refering to the Chera, the names of three generations of the Cheras are mentioned as Ko-Adan-cel-Irumporai, his son Perum-Kadungo and Ilam-Kadungo, son of Perum-Kandungo. The same inscription is inscribed twice on the face of the rock. The first time the name of the first ruler occurs as "Irumporai"; but in the second instance the name occurs as "Irumpurai". This usage shows that the name "Porai" is also spelt as "Purai" in the first century CE, the age of the coin under discussion. Besides mentioning the three generations of Chera rulers, the Pugalur inscription mentions gold merchants from Karur, and a couple of names of commanders of the Chera like Pittan and others. Among the three generations of Chera rulers mentioned in this inscription, the second named Perum Kadungo, was the actual ruler, when the record was issued, on the occassion of crowning the next as a prince. The actual ruler Perum Kadungo is identified with Perum-cheral Irumporai, the conqueror of the Kolli and Tagadur(44). Thus the coin under discussion was issued by the Chera ruler - Perum Kadungo of the Pugalur record. As the Pugalur record does not refer to the conquest of Kolli, it was probably issued early in his reign whereas the Kollip-purai coin was issued later, when the conquest of Kolli was effected. The coin under discussion is significant in two ways. First this is the earliest coin from Tamilnadu, with the portrait of the ruler with his name inscribed on the obverse. The portrait in full, it may be noted, is shown in standing posture. It must be remembered that in the early centuries of the common era, the Roman trade was at its height with the Chera kingdom especially with Karur. It is also known that several thousand Roman coins were found in and around Karur(45). Recent excavations at Karur under my direction, further confirmed Roman contact by the presence of amphorae, rouletted ware and Arretine ware. The Sangam Tamil works further testify to the active Roman trade(46). Obviously the Chera ruler has been influenced by the Roman tradition in figuring his portrait on the coin. That the protrait resembles a Roman soldier has been mentioned earlier. The Arnattar hill of Pugalur on which the Chera lithic record is found is on the souther bank of the river Kaveri. If one crosses the river at this point and takes the route leading to the north, the Kolli hill is on the route and further north is Tagadur, the capital of Atiyamaan Nedumaan Anji. The coin also throws interesting light on another aspect. The name of the hill, is Kolli. The actual meaning of the word has so far eluded satisfactory interpretation. The present coin clarifies the meaning and indicates why the hill was called Kolli. "Kol" in Tamil means 'to kill'; "ii" means 'beetle', Thus, "Kol-ii", stands for 'gaint size beetles,' that were capable of causing great harm to the visitors. Therefore, the hill was dreaded by visitors and came to be called "the hill with dreadful beetles". The Kollip-purai coins is not only a unique find, but also raises many other interesting questions; it would not, however, be possible to discuss all of them in this paper. Before finishing this account, I would like to illustrate one more coin, also found in the group presented by the Karur vessel dealer. Obverse: Standing figure of a tiger with a bow like emblem in front of it. Above the animal at the back is an emblem resembling a couch. Reverse: A symbol which looks like branches with leaves. The leaves, however, are shown as triangle. In the absence of any legend, it is difficult to assign it to any particular ruler. Quite a number of early Tamil coins are known. Most of them are square, or rectangular in shape bearing the figure of an elephant with ashta-mangala signs. Some coming from the Chola port Pumpuhar show a standing tiger, obviously the Chola emblem. However, present Kollip-purai coin, proves the issue of circular coins in the early Christian era, in Tamil Nadu. The tiger shown standing is obviously the Chola emblem. Typologically the coin is early and may also assigned to the Sangam age, (first century CE) probably issued by a Chola. However, the tiger differs in form from the tigers seen on coins of the age. The second point worthy of note is that the metal (unlike the Kollip-purai coin which is excellent copper) is like brass. The identification is only tentative. The only justification for its inclusion here is that it was also found with Kollip-purai coin and is certainly an early issue, that deserves notice. Notes and References 1. A note on this coin was published by this author in the Tamil daily "Dinamani" Madras, 15 November 1987). 2. The following Tamil Sangam works refer to Kolli hills: Pura-naanuuru, Aha-naanuuru, Narrinai, Kurun-tokai, Patirru-pattu, Kuruncip-pattu, Ciru-paan-arruppadai and Silappadhikaram. Most of them have been published by the doyen of Tamil literature, Dr.U.V.Swaminatha Iyer. Several editions have appeared in print. The number in the following foot notes refer to the number of the verse. 3. Padirru-pattu, 8th decad, verse 3. 4. Narrinai 185. 5. Kurun-tohai 100. 6. Padirru-pattu, 8th decad, verse 1. 7. Aha-naanuuru 209; Kuruntohai 89; Narrinai 210. 8. Aha-naanuuru 208. 9. Padirru-pattu, 8th decad - Padigam. 10. Aha-naanuuru 209; Kurun-tohai 100; Narrinai 265; Pura-naanuuru 152 and 158. 11. Pura-naanuuru 89; Ahananuru 33,62,213 etc. 12. Ahananuru 62. 13. Ibid., 33. 14. Narrinai 265. 15. Ahananuru 82; Kuruntohai 89;. 16. Silappadhikaram Chapter 24-verse 26. 17. Purananuru 158. 18. Ibid., 153. 19. Ciru Panarruppadai line 111. 20. Purananuru 153. 21. Ibid., 152 Vannam is a special type of composition in dance, in which the pure rhytmic dance and abhinaya (exposition of meaning of the verse by gestures) alternate delightfully. It is the most important item in dance repertoire in which the talent of the dancer is vividly brought out. 22. Purananuru 152. 23. Padirru-pattu, 8th decad - Padikam. 24. Ibid.. 25. Purananuru 39. 26. Ibid., 5. 27. Padirru-pattu, 8th decad - verse 4; R. Nagaswamy, 'Roman sites in Tamil Nadu', Madhu, Delhi, 1981.pp 338, 339. 28. Ibid.. 29. Purananuru 50. 30. Ahananuru 55. 31. Purananuru 99. 32. R.Nagaswamy, 'Asoka and the Tamil country: A new link', Indian Express, Madras, 6 December 1981, 6. 33. Padirru-pattu, 8th decad - Padigam. 34. Ahananuru 209. 35. Purananuru 235. 36. K.A.Nilakanta Sastri, A History of South India, Madras, 1977, 374. 37. Padirru-pattu, 8th decad - Padigam. 38. Purananuru 20. 39. Padirru-pattu, 9th decad - Padigam. 40. R. Nagaswamy, Tamil Coins, Madras, 1981, Fig.40. 41. Ibid. 100.. 42. Walter Elliot, Coins of Southern India, Delhi, 1975 No.90. 43. Iravatham Mahadevan, 'Chera Inscription of the Sangam Age',The Hindu, Madras, 7 March 1965 44. Ibid.. 45. Mortimer Wheeler, (ed) Ancient India No.2,1946, 118,119. 46. E.H. Warmington, The Commerce between Roman Empire and India, Cambridge, 1928