EXTRA THING TO BE READ FOR 16th JUNE EXAM By Rahul Sengar Sir

CITIES OF THE FAR SOUTH

Greco-Roman sources mention many towns and cities and use the term emporium for
coastal towns associated with foreign trade. Champakalakshmi (1996: 117–40) has
given a comprehensive account of the urban centres of early historical South India. A
few of these centres are discussed below:
CHERA CITIES
Vanji or Kuravur/Karur : Vanchi ,situated on Amaravati river (a tributary of Kaveri)
, was a political centre as well as an important centre of crafts and trade as per many
literary and non-literary sources . Chera mint was claimed to be located here due to
discovery of copper and silver chera coins . Large quantity of Roman coins have been
found at nearby area Vellavur. Roman king Claudius coin found on bed of Amravati
River. Excavations at the site yielded BRW (some with graffiti marks), pieces of Roman
amphorae, and locally made rouletted ware. Literary sources refer to jewel making
as an important craft of Karuvur , confirmed by the discovery of finger rings with
various motifs carved on them (including those in the Graeco-Roman style) and
legends giving the names of various individuals. Information of Donations by Rulers
and merchants are mentioned in early Tamil–Brahmi donative inscriptions at Pugalur
and Arachchalur.

Muchiri/ Muziris : The Periplus of Erhythrean sea speaks of cargo-laden ships

landing here from Arabia and Egypt, and gives long lists of imports and exports.
Pliny‘s Natural Historia states that due to the danger of pirates, ships had to anchor
some distance away. Vienna Papyrus(2nd Century) records an agreement concerning
the transportation of goods between two merchants—one based in Alexandria, the
other in Muchiri.
PANDYA CITIES
Madurai : Maduraikkanchi text part of the Pattuppattu describes it as a large, grand
city, enclosed by walls on three sides and the Vaigai river on the fourth. There is
mention of its palace, temples, large houses, and two markets. Literary sources
describe it as a major centre of crafts such as the making of gold ornaments, ivory
work, inlay work, chank cutting, and bangle making. There are references to its traders
selling pearls and precious stones. The Arthashastra mentions Madurai as a centre
of fine cotton textiles. Inscriptions at Alagarmalai record endowments made by
merchants from Madurai.

Korkai : Sangam poems , Indica and Arthashastra celebrated it as centre pearl,

fisheries ,also confirmed by Pearl oysters found in the excavations . Right now, an
inland site on Vaigai River but during early historical times it was no doubt right on
the sea coast. BRW and locally made rouletted ware found along with traces of NBPW
sherds from the site, and a radiocarbon date takes the beginning of the settlement to
as early as the 8th century BCE.
Chola Cities

Uraiyur(capital of the early Cholas) Sangam poems describe it as a great fortified city
with magnificent buildings. It is interesting to note that the poems also mention
burial grounds full of stones on its outskirts, a description strongly reminiscent of
megaliths. The fine textiles of Uraiyur are mentioned in Tamil and Graeco-Roman
texts. Excavations revealed three phases of occupation at the site. The pottery of
Period I included BRW, russet-coated painted ware, rouletted ware, and arretine
ware. Some potsherds had graffiti and inscriptions in Brahmi of the 1st and 2nd
centuries CE. In Period II, the BRW was gradually replaced by red-slipped ware. A
rectangular cistern found at this level was identified as a dying vat. Period III at
Uraiyur belonged to the early medieval period.

Kaverippumpattinam / Pumpuhar / Puhar(3CBC-12th CAD): Classical accounts refer

to it as Khaberis or Camara. An entire Sangam collection —the Pattinappalai—is
devoted to a description of this place. There are references to its two bustling markets
laid out between the two sectors of the city, guarded by officers of the king, and to its
inhabitants who spoke different languages. At Vanagiri, there are remains of an
artificial channel that drew water from the Kaveri into a reservoir for irrigation
purposes, probably built in the early centuries CE. Brick platforms for landing boats
were found at Kilayur. Pallavanesvaram has a Buddhist temple and monastery dated
to about the 3rd century. The large number of early medieval Chola coins found at
Kaveripattinam indicates that it continued to be an important port in later times as
well.

Kachchi (Kanchi) of the Sangam texts : Famous temple city and Pallava capital of
Kanchipuram in later centuries. Remains of the early historical period have been
excavated in the area of the Shankara matha.

Findings: BRW, black-slipped ware and rouletted ware, conical jars, terracotta
figurines, and a Satavahana coin of the 2nd century CE. Excavations near the
Kamakshi temple revealed three rouletted ware, terra sigillata, beads, terracottas, and
iron artefacts. A structure was identified as a Buddhist shrine. Vasavasamudram , at
the mouth of the Palar river, was probably the port connecting Kanchi to the sea.
Excavations here yielded amphorae sherds, rouletted ware, and beads. There are
remains of brick structures, terracotta double ring wells, and heaps of shell lime and
beads. However, no BRW was reported. It is possible that Vasavasamudram may
represent Nirppeyarru, a port mentioned in texts.

Kodumanal(3rdCBC-3rd CAD) : Habitation-cum-burial site on the northern bank of

the Noyyal, a tributary of the Kaveri. It can be identified with the ancient city of
Kodumanal, famed in Sangam texts for gem and jewellery work. The evidence of
 iron-and-steel making(two furnaces and iron slag have been found), gemstone
cutting, spinning, weaving, and the manufacture of shell bangles, suggest that it was
a major industrial centre. Over 100 inscribed pieces with of pottery Tamil language
and Tamil–Brahmi script were also found in the excavations. few inscriptions are in
the Prakrit language and Brahmi script Most of these were in the. Kodumanal gives
important evidence of beginnings of literacy and the development of centres of craft
production

KAUTILYA’S TIMETABLE FOR A KING

Arthashastra 1.19.16 recommends that the king divide the day and night into eight parts each.
This gives a total of 16 units of time, each consisting of 1½ hours, each associated with specific
Activities.(Bath, sleep Activities are eliminated from discussion)
Immediately After Sunrise Night Timetable

Receive reports on defence and accounts of income Interview secret agents.

and expenditure.

Look into affairs of people of cities and countryside. Go to bed to strains of musical instruments.

Receive revenue in cash and assign tasks to HoD Continue to sleep

Consult his council of ministers through Awaken to the sound of musical

correspondence and receive secret information instruments and ponder over the science of
brought in by spies. statecraft and on the work to be done.

Relax and enjoy himself or hold consultations Consult counsellors, dispatch secret agents.

Review elephants, horses, chariots, and troops. Receive blessings from priests; see his
physician, chief cook, and astrologer.

Discuss military policy with commander-in-chief.

RAJA SAWAI SINGH II (1686-1743)

Title of 'Sawai' from Emperor Aurangzeb, who declared him a quarter superior to his
famous forebearer Mirza Raja Jai Singh (d. 1667) after he captured the Fort of
Vishalgarh from the Marathas in 1701. The title was officially recognized by an
Imperial Edict in 1712, and, to commemorate it, the rulers of Jaipur began the practice
of flying two flags, one full and one quarter-sized. It was on his instigation that the
new Emperor abolished the hated Jaziya tax imposed on the Hindus. Jai Singh also
received Imperial backing for building his Astronomy Observatories at Delhi, Jaipur,
Varanasi, Ujjain and Mathura. Jai Singh titled the astronomical work he completed in
1728 as 'Zij-e-Muhammad-Shahi' . He constructed Jaipur, by combining the aspects
of the ancient Hindu treatise on architecture, the Shilpa Shastra, and plans of many
European cities of the period with Jai Singh's own ideas. Jaipur, which was built on
the grid system with nine rectangular zones corresponding to the nine divisions of
the universe and had different zones allotted to different professions. The European
travellers of the time, like the Frenchman Louis Rousselet, and the English bishop,
Heber, were greatly impressed by Jai Singh's unparalleled excellence in city-planning.

Astronomy, however, was Jai Singh's grand passion. He was a scholar, with an eclectic
collection of astronomical manuscripts and tables from Arabia and Europe that
included the Englishman John Flamsteed's 'Historia Coelestis Britannica', the
Portuguese Pere de la Hire's 'Tabulae Astronomicae', the Turkish royal astronomer,
Ulugh Beg's tables 'Zij Ulugh Begi', and the Greek Ptolemy's 'Almagest'. He
reproduced de la Hire's reflection table. He used a European Telescope to study
celestial bodies.
RANA KUMBHA (1433 – 1468 CE)

 He built five forts to secure his kingdom: Achalgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Kolana,

Vairat, and Maddan. Kumbhalgarh is Rajasthan's highest fort.
 At a time when he was surrounded by foes such as Mahmud Khalji of Malwa,
Qutbuddin Ahmad Shah II of Gujarat Sultanate, Shams Khan of Nagaur, and
Rao Jodha of Marwar, Rana Kumbha successfully defended Mewar and
expanded his kingdom.
 In order to commemorate his resounding victory over the combined armies of
Malwa and Gujarat in 1440 AD, Rana Kumbha got the famed 37 meter, 9 storey
high 'Vijay Sthambha' erected at Chittorgarh ,completed in 1448 AD
 Music and Literature during His Reign
o Kumbha , an accomplished veena player , wrote a commentary on
Jaidev's Gita Govinda and an explanation for Chandisatkam.
o Music treatises: "Sangeet raj," "Sangeet mimansa," "Sangeet ratnakar,"
and "Shudprabandha"
o Scholars Atri and his son Mahesa wrote Prashashti on Kirti stambh .
RANI KI VAV (ALSO ON 100 RS NOTE) :

 Built in on Saraswati River in 11th Century by Chalukyan/ Solanki queen

Udaymati for her husband King Bhima-I ,also considered as Inverted Temple
 Solanki Architecture /Maru Gurjara Style
 Seven levels of stairs.
RAKHIGARHI

 One of the five known biggest townships of Harappan civilization.

 Excavated by: Shri Amarendra Nath
 Material and Findings: Mud-brick, Burnt-brick houses, drainage system,
ceramic industry Animal sacrificial pit lined, triangular and circular fire alters
cylindrical seal with a symbol of an alligator, wheel of terracotta.
 DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF RAMAYANA
Different Countries /Important point Different Countries
Ramayanas Ramayanas
Paumachariya Jain Version focusses on Ahimsa and Reamker Cambodia
Lakshmana killed Ravana
Chandrabati Bengali poetess focusses on Sita’s Yamayana Myanmar
perspective
Dasarata Jataka Buddhist Version in which Dashrath Hikayat Seri Malay
send Ram and Sita to forest to save them Laksman
from third wife + No abduction of Sita
Hobutsushu and Japan Ramakavaca Bali
Sambo-Ekotoba

Janakiharan Srilanka Maharadia Philippine

Lawana
Siddhi Ramayana Nepal Liudu ji jing china

VIJAYA TEMPLE/BIJAMANDAL MOSQUE

 As per popular belief, an inspiration behind New Parliament Building

 Builders: Some sources claims one Vachaspati, probably the Pant Pradhan of
the Chaulukya /Solanki dynasty and other sources claims Maharaja
Naravarman (Paramara) as one of its builders but there is no clarity .
 Dedicated to: Believed to be dedicated to Devi Vijaya Rani which then came
to be called Bija Mandal. Locals say the Vijaya Rani Bhavya Mandir had a
beautiful idol of the eight-armed Goddess Charchika Mata.It was perhaps in
this time that the traditional worship of Naga Devata began on the auspicious
occasion of Naga Panchami.
 Al-Biruni mentions that Ghazni reduce the grandest temple of the 9th – 10th
century to rubble. He succeeded to some extent but the temple was rebuilt by
the Paramara kings
 Aurangzeb’s built the Alamgiri mosque over the ruins and renamed the city
Alamgiripur.
 Famous sculpture: Mahishasura Mardini, eight-armed Lord Ganesha, dancing
women, musicians, dancing Sapta Matrikas, Gajalakshmi
 The vast pavilion made of stone had a temple dedicated to Surya Bhagawan as
per an inscription .An ancient stepwell to the north of the temple has
exquisitely carved pillars of the 8th century and scenes of Krishna Leela on its
sides.
BHOJA I/ MIHIR BHOJA (836 - 885 CE)-GURJARA PRATIHARA DYNASTY

 Title : 1. Adivaraha 2. King Baura by another Arab traveler, Al-Masudi.

 Contemporary of: Amoghavarsha (Rastrakuta) and Devapala (Paladynasty )
 Capital: Kannauj (Panchala in Ancient time)
 Gwalior Inscription : written by Kukkutta
 Chatasu inscription (Jaipur) : Mihir Bhoja had forced Harsha Gupta, who had
defeated the Gauda King, to accept his sovereignty
 During Mihir Bhoja's reign, the Rashtrakuta kings who ruled over Kannauj
were Amoghavarsa and Krishna II.

KALARAM TEMPLE, MAHARASHTRA

 River Godavari Location : PANCHVATI (Location Of 5 Banyan Tree)

 Legend: Ram ,Sita and lakshman lived here during 10th year of exile
 Principal deity: black statue of the Lord — Kala Ram.
 Built by: Sardar Rangarao Odheka in 1792.
 Place of Dalit Satyagraha: In 1930, B R Ambedkar and the Marathi teacher and
social activist Pandurang Sadashiv Sane, known as Sane Guruji, led an
agitation to demand access for Dalits to Hindu temples.
VEERABHADRA TEMPLE/LEPAKSHI TEMPLE( AP)

 Jatayu, the giant eagle, intercepted the abduction of Goddess Sita by Ravan.
 Principal Deity: Lord Shiva.
 Built: Vijay nagar king’s Governor Achutaraya Virupanna Nayaka and Vienna
 Famous for: fresco paintings, Nandi Bull and HANGING PILLAR
GURUVAYUR TEMPLE (DWARKA OF THE SOUTH), KERALA

Style of Architecture: Blend of Kerala and Chola architecture.

Principal Deity: Lord Vishnu and the young form of Lord Krishna
Famous for Elephant Festival elephants are paraded for various performances.
Temple is home to a large population of captive male Asian elephants and
Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary is located nearby the temple.
SRI KOTHANDARAMASWAMY TEMPLE,
 Principal Deity: Kothandarama means Rama with the bow.
 Location: Dhanushkodi (starting point of belived Rama Setu)
 Mythology: Vibhishana first met Lord Ram and sought refuge here.

RANGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE, TAMIL NADU

 According to Vaishnava literature, this idol has a connection to Ayodhya as it
is believed that Lord Ram handed the picture of Vishnu to Vibhishana,
directing him to carry it to Lanka.
 Dravidian style of architecture.
 Principal deity: Reclining form of Vishnu, known as Sri Ranganatha Swamy
 Counted as the 1st among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Bhagwan
Vishnu.
 Location: Island of Srirangam bounded by 2 rivers Cauvery and Kollidam .
SRI ARULMIGU RAMANATHASWAMY TEMPLE, RAMESHWARAM
 Style of Architecture: Dravidian style temple and the temple complex is
covered by a compound wall (thiru mathil).
  Principal Deity: Sri Ramanathaswamy( Bhagwan Shiva)
 Location: Rameshwaram, connected to mainland via Pamban Bridge.
 Mythology: Main lingam was installed by Sri Rama and Mata Sita.
 It is one among the Char Dhams – Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameshwaram
and is one of the twelve jyotirlinga temples in India.
BHOJSHALA /TEMPLE OF SARASWATI

Built by: Raja Bhoja (1000-1055 A.D.) the greatest monarch of the Paramara
dynasty,Remnants of this Bhojshala or the temple of Saraswati are still seen in the
famous Kamal Maulana Mosque which was turned into mosque by the subsequent
Muslim masters of Dhara.

Inscriptions: Two sarpabandha pillar inscriptions: one talks about Sanskrit grammar
and other praising Udayaditya and Narvarman the Paramara kings who immediately
succeeded king Bhoja..

Literary evidence: Kapurmanjari by Madana, student of Jain scholor Ashtadhara

during reign of Arjunavarma Deva (A.D. 1299-10 to 1215-18). It also talks about wars
between the Paramaras and the Chalukyas which were ended by matrimonial alliance.

This shala was converted into a mosque in the 14th Century A.D.The image of the
goddess Saraswati is now in London Museum.

VESHTI
A dhoti in Tamilnadu (do not get confuse with Vithi – administrative unit and
Vishti – Forced labour)