logo
HistoriCity: Keeladi is ancient and so is the burial site of Adi Channallur

HistoriCity: Keeladi is ancient and so is the burial site of Adi Channallur

Hindustan Times28-05-2025

Keeladi (Keezhadi), located just outside the more than 2,000-year-old great city of Madurai, has been accepted as a Sangam-era settlement. The Sangam period is widely believed to be the six centuries between 3rd BCE and 3rd CE.
The findings of the excavations at Keeladi, an urban settlement, dated to at least the 4th century BCE have been mired in controversy. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and its own senior officer, Ramakrishna Amarnath, are at loggerheads over whether there is sufficient evidence showing that Keeladi was thriving as a settlement 2800 years ago.
Amarnath in his 2023 report relied on Carbon dating, stratigraphy and other standard dating methods to show that Keeladi -- and therefore the Sangam age -- too, goes back to 800 BCE. Over 18,000 artefacts that have been excavated and documented from Keeladi over seven rounds of excavations. A large number of them are potsherds besides a fascinating range of items including those made of gold, iron, ivory, antimony and copper. Gold items include pendants, broken rings and a needle.
Then there are several potsherds inscribed with what archaeologists such as Amarnath postulate to be symbols that are similar to those found in sherds and seals found at Indus Valley sites, particularly, in Harappa. Local scholars have emphasised that five villages— Keeladi, Agaram, Manalur, Konthagai (a burial site) and Pasiapuram need to be designated as the Keeladi cluster. Furthermore, because of the presence of other sites along the Vaigai river and in the region, such as Adi Channallur, several TN-based archaeologists have coined the term Vaigai Valley Civilisation.
Undoubtedly, Madurai and Tirunelveli in southern Tamil Nadu are rich with history. Being closer to the coast also brought this part of the state into contact with ancient kingdoms in both the east and the west.
The archaeology department of Tamil Nadu, the only state government to have established its own department, observed in a 2019 report: 'The Pandyas and their capital city Madurai were well known to the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Megasthenese, the Greek ambassador of Seleukos Nikator at the court of the Chandra Gupta Maurya (320 B.C.), in these accounts gave a vivid picture of a South Indian Kingdoms. Strabo (C. 25. B.C.) stated that a Pandya king sent an embassy to the Roman Emperor Augustus. Pliny (C. 75 A.D.) mentioned the Pandya, King Pandya and his capital Madura. Ptolemy (C. 130 A.D.) also referred to Madurai as the royal city of the Pandyas. The Arthasastra of Kautilya, while describing the trade between Northern and Southern India, spoke about the pearls and muslins of the Pandya country. The astronomer Varaha Mihira referred the Pandya kingdom in his Brhatsamhita. Kalidasa, the great Sanskrit poet and dramatist referred the Pandya kingdom as one of the provinces visited by Raghu during his tour of conquest.'
Also Read: Konthagai burial site reveals ancient practices of Keeladi
In fact, a few researchers have even suggested, albeit tentatively at this stage, that the Ashokan Brahmi script was preceded by Tamil Brahmi, specimens of which have been found in Keeladi, and other sites. The jury is still out on both the similarities, if any, between symbols on pothsherds excavated at Keeladi and the Indus Valley script, which remains undeciphered, as well as the Tamil Brahmi being a precursor to Ashokan Brahmi.
Adi Channallur: Oldest excavated site, ancient burial urns
While cremation is considered the most common funerary process for Hindus, burials are also widely practiced, particularly in south Indian states. In the north too, burials are prevalent among certain communities. In Tamil Nadu, the ancient site of Adi Channalur provides us a unique glimpse into people's beliefs and customs related to death and after-life. It is also one of the oldest excavated sites in not just the state but the entire subcontinent.
First brought to public attention in 1876 by A F Jagor, a 19th century German explorer, this 'perumba' or elevated ground or a mound close to the Tamirabarani or Porunai river, has since then thrown up hundreds of burial urns.
Burying the dead seemed to have been a common custom since pre-historic times, as is evidenced by some of the burial urns dating back to the 4th century BCE. The practice seems to have continued in the historical period – roughly 3rd BCE onwards. For example, in the Padirrupattu, a Chera kingdom collection of poems of war and worldly concerns, there is clear reference to the entombing of a dead king. ''where lay the burial-urn (tali) that entombed the king, was the vast expanse below the vanni (Prosopisspicigera) tree'.
Also Read: Ancient terracotta pipelines excavated at Keeladi in Tamil Nadu
Similarly, after an early Chola king Killi Valavan died, poet Aiyur Mudavanar, wrote addressing the potter, 'You, perforce, need make a large, wide-mouthed urn for entombing such an exalted monarch. Could you do less than use the great earth as your wheel and the great mountain as the clod of clay?'
The sizes of the excavated urns vary from three feet to less than a foot. Sometimes they have been found to be fixed in holes dug out for the purpose in the quartzite rock formation found in a portion of the more than 100 acres large site.
Besides the urns the site also contained evidence of a potter's kiln, and a possibly a workshop for making couex beads. Within the urns, sometimes all the bones of a body were found to be placed. In most others, only a few bones were placed. Along with the bones of the deceased, items of daily use, like tumblers, personal jewellery made of copper, and rice was found inside the urns or just outside in the pits.
Also Read: TN govt commences archaeological digs at 8 sites to 'rewrite' India's history from Tamil landscape
Writing about the findings related to a metre-tall burial urn excavated at Adi Channallur, the ASI wrote in its 2020 report: 'Inside the urn the skeletal remains were noticed in damaged condition. The grave goods found outside the urn were of Black-and-Red ware - shallow dish cum bowl with conical base and thickened rim, bowl with broken rim sager base, small shallow dish cum bowl with broken rim, two partially polished black ring stands. Husk was collected from the shallow dish and bowl inside the urn and also from the pit on its southern and eastern sides. Iron spear head and chisel were noticed outside the urn at a depth of 2.12 m in the eastern corner'.
Another most interesting finding from the site was the presence of Pott's puffy tumor in the over 2,000-year-old remains. It's a kind of swelling on the forehead, often spreading inwards and therefore causing the creation of an abscess. Today the disease has become quite rare due to the use of antibiotics but in the ancient world its primary targets were seamen, and deep-sea divers. Adi Channallur too is close to the sea and therefore this seems quite plausible.
HistoriCity is a column by author Valay Singh that narrates the story of a city that is in the news, by going back to its documented history, mythology and archaeological digs. The views expressed are personal.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Where are the 22 locked rooms of the Taj Mahal? What's hidden behind these doors and why are they closed?
Where are the 22 locked rooms of the Taj Mahal? What's hidden behind these doors and why are they closed?

India.com

time10 hours ago

  • India.com

Where are the 22 locked rooms of the Taj Mahal? What's hidden behind these doors and why are they closed?

The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World is admired for its beauty and architecture. But apart from its stunning white marble and the famous love story, it also holds secrets that continue to puzzle people. One of the biggest mysteries is about the 22 locked rooms hidden inside its basement and these rooms are not for the general public as they are not allowed to enter. These rooms are located beneath the main structure of the Taj Mahal. There are 4 big and 18 small rooms, all sealed off for decades. They lie below the famous Chameli floor, and access to them has been strictly restricted. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has kept them locked, and not much is officially shared about what lies inside, which only adds to the curiosity. No one knows the exact reason why these doors are locked, but authorities say it is for protection and safety of the monument. Some people believe that these rooms might hold royal treasures or important historical secrets. In the past, these doors had red stone frames, which have now been sealed with bricks, making the mystery even deeper. Interestingly, all four minarets of the Taj Mahal are connected to this underground area. These towers support the main dome, but the paths leading through them have also been closed, likely to prevent structural damage. Over the years, this has led to many questions and theories. There are also stories that Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal's real graves may be inside these locked rooms. Some believe that the graves seen by visitors are only symbolic, and the actual tombs could be hidden in the basement. However, there is no solid proof, as these rooms have never been opened for public or researchers. Some reports say that these rooms were sealed during British rule, possibly when the British were searching for treasure. Later, they were left closed in the name of preservation. Since then, the doors have remained shut, and the mystery has grown. The public is strictly not allowed near these doors. There are guards and cameras installed for security. Officials say that opening these rooms might weaken the foundation of the Taj Mahal, which is why they prefer to keep them sealed. Still, people continue to wonder what really lies behind them. Many people believe the rooms could contain items made of gold or silver, or ancient royal documents. Others think that Mumtaz Mahal's real resting place and royal belongings might be hidden there. But without opening them, these ideas remain only guesses and historians and scientists have not confirmed any of them. The ASI is responsible for taking care of these rooms. They have explained that the structure is sensitive and could be harmed if disturbed. Pollution and changing weather also pose risks, so keeping them locked is seen as a way to protect the monument. Whether these rooms will ever be opened is still unknown. Experts are considering using technology to scan the inside without causing damage. If one day they are opened, it could change the way we understand the Taj Mahal's history. Until then, the mystery of the 22 locked rooms will continue to fascinate generations.

ASI embarks on phase two of Barapullah bridge revival
ASI embarks on phase two of Barapullah bridge revival

Hindustan Times

time21 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

ASI embarks on phase two of Barapullah bridge revival

Once a Mughal-era marvel, Delhi's 400-year-old Barapullah bridge is undergoing a careful restoration by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), expected to be completed by year-end, officials told HT on Monday. Tucked beneath the modern Barapullah flyover and straddling what is now a wide drain, the 17th-century bridge—named after its twelve distinct piers—has begun to emerge from the layers of urban neglect. The two-phase restoration project, led by the ASI, aims to return the heritage structure to its original form after years of encroachment and civic decay. 'We are yet to put an exact date on when phase two will start as the plans are still in the process of being approved, but we hope to wrap up the entire restoration work by the end of this year,' said an ASI official involved in the effort, requesting anonymity. The restoration effort The restoration effort gained momentum following a site visit by Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena in August 2024. At the time, the bridge had become indistinguishable from the fringes of the Madrasi colony in Jangpura-B, its corridor converted into a makeshift market. Phase one, completed over the past nine months, focused on clearing the site for conservation. Agencies including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Public Works Department (PWD) cleaned and desilted the Barapullah drain while removing encroachments that had compromised the bridge's foundation. 'The colony and encroachments that were damaging the bridge structure were removed. About 168 families, whose houses were located in the colony, were relocated to Narela and nearby locations,' the ASI official said. When HT visited the site on Monday, the bridge stood sealed behind iron gates—both to protect the structure and to prevent further encroachment. Officials said these gates would reopen for pedestrian use after the restoration is completed, but the bridge will remain closed to vehicles to preserve its integrity. Phase 2 Unlike the clearing and relocation-driven first phase, the upcoming phase will focus on the structural restoration of the bridge. 'The corridor of the structure is very uneven due to layers of debris that were probably laid down again and again over the ages. It is one foot deep at some places and up to three feet deep in the middle of the structure,' said the ASI official. To understand the original materials and construction, ASI carried out a trial excavation. 'We dug a three-foot by three-foot patch at one end of the bridge to identify the materials used. We found ashlar stones—rectangular, durable blocks used in masonry—below all the debris layers. So in the next phase, we are going to remove all those layers and level the bridge out to reveal and preserve the original surface,' he added. The twelve piers that give the bridge its name will be a key focus. When viewed from the end formerly engulfed by the colony, the first pier on the right and the eighth on the left are visibly damaged and lie in fragments. 'These two piers will be reconstructed. The rest will be repaired, covered with fresh plaster, and restored,' the official said. The history Spanning 195 metres in length and 14 metres in width, the Barapullah bridge was constructed during the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir, in 1621-22. Built over a Yamuna tributary—now reduced to an open drain next to Nizamuddin Basti—the bridge once served as a passage for the Mughal court. According to Delhi and Its Neighbourhood, a 2001 ASI publication, 'It [the Barapullah bridge] consists of 11 arched openings but twelve piers, which appear to have given it its name, meaning 'twelve piers.' Each pier is surmounted by a two-metre-high minar.' The book also references an inscription—no longer traceable—on one of the arches, stating that the bridge was built in 1030 A.H. (Islamic calendar) by Mihr Banu Agha, the chief eunuch in Jahangir's court. This translates to 1621-22 A.D. in the Gregorian calendar.

Electric cart service at Big Temple lying idle, awaits ASI nod
Electric cart service at Big Temple lying idle, awaits ASI nod

Time of India

time4 days ago

  • Time of India

Electric cart service at Big Temple lying idle, awaits ASI nod

Thanjavur: The electric cart service at the Brihadeeswara Temple, or Big Temple, in Thanjavur, which was inaugurated last month, is yet to begin operations, as the Rotary Club, which dedicated the service, has said that it is waiting for permission from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The cart, which was dedicated for the benefit of senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with disabilities visiting the temple, has been lying idle at the office of Thanjavur Municipal Corporation for the past three weeks. On May 18, the Rotary Club's Thanjavur Kings dedicated the electric cart. However, the temple's administration, ASI, halted the service that same day due to a lack of permission. G Sridhar, president of Rotary Club's Thanjavur Kings, said, "We have submitted a request letter at the ASI office in Trichy and are waiting for permission to operate the cart." The electric cart initiative was supported by a private bank's corporate social responsibility (CSR) at around 6 lakh. K Varthaman, 59, from Dindigul, who visited the temple with his family on Friday, said, "The electric cart service would have been useful for the needy visitors if it had been available. Due to the unavailability, accessibility remains a challenge for the needy." ASI sources in the central zone said the permission needs to be granted by the higher officials, as the administered temple is a UNESCO world heritage site. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store