Tamil links to West Asia: What underwater excavations in Chola capital reveal, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Recent underwater excavations off Poompuhar (Kaveripoompattinam) in Tamil Nadu have provided new evidence of its ancient maritime connections.
• The 18-day exploration was conducted by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) in collaboration with the Indian Maritime University.
• Key discoveries include a fragment of a West Asian “torpedo jar,” four terracotta ring wells, and over 250 ceramic fragments.
• Poompuhar, also known as Kaveripoompattinam, was an ancient Chola port city and is prominently mentioned in Sangam and post-Sangam literature.
• The city, located at the mouth of the Cauvery river, is believed to have existed from the 5th-4th century BCE.

Detailed Insights:

• Poompuhar served as a significant maritime hub, facilitating trade between the Chola kingdom and distant civilizations including West Asia, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia.
• The discovery of the West Asian “torpedo jar” fragment confirms Poompuhar's extensive trade links, as these vessels were used to transport liquid cargo like wine and olive oil.
• The presence of terracotta ring wells on the seabed suggests a buried palaeochannel, indicating that the ancient habitation extended beyond the present shoreline and was submerged due to coastal erosion and rising sea levels.
• Historical accounts and archaeological studies suggest that catastrophic floods around the 4th or 5th century CE, and possibly a major tsunami around the 3rd century CE, contributed to the city's submergence.
• Ancient Tamil epics like Silappadikaram and Manimekalai describe Poompuhar's urban planning, bustling markets, and its eventual submergence.
• One legend attributes the city's destruction to the king's failure to celebrate Indra Vizha, a traditional festival dedicated to the rain god Indra.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Poompuhar (Kaveripoompattinam): An ancient Chola port city in Tamil Nadu, mentioned in Sangam and post-Sangam literature, known for its extensive maritime trade.
• Chola Dynasty: A prominent South Indian dynasty known for its naval power and significant role in Indian Ocean trade from ancient to medieval times.
• Sangam Literature: A body of ancient Tamil literature (300 BCE – 300 CE) providing insights into early South Indian society, culture, and trade.
• Torpedo Jar: A tubular, thick-walled ceramic vessel originating from West Asia, used for transporting liquid commodities like wine and olive oil across long sea voyages.
• Palaeochannel: An ancient riverbed or stream channel that no longer carries water and has been buried or abandoned due to geological or climatic changes.
• Indra Vizha: A historical Hindu festival celebrated in ancient Tamilakam, dedicated to Lord Indra, the deity of rain and harvest, to ensure agricultural prosperity.