Irunkōvēl

Irunkōvēl, also known as Irungkōvēl, Irukkuvēl, and Ilangōvēlir, was a title of the Irunkōvēl line of Yadu Velir kings. The Irunkovel line of kings ruled over Kō nādu identified with the Kodumbalur and surrounding areas in ancient Tamilakkam.[1] They trace their lineage to the clan of Krishna; one of the inscriptions at Kodumbalur belonging to one of the kings in the Irunkovel line, namely Tennavan Irunkōvēl, declares that he belonged to the race of Krishna.[1] The Moovar Koil record of Irukkuvel chief Boothi Vikramakesari lauds his father, Samarabirama, as Yadu-vamsa-ketu (Banner of the Yadu race).[2]

Moovar Koil Temple Complex built by Irunkovel chieftain Boothi Vikramakesari

The contemporary of Karikala

The most famous among them was a contemporary of Karikala Chola as well as poet Kapilar and lived during the Sangam era.[3] In addition, this particular Irunkōvēl also bore the title Pulikadimal, literally meaning the hero who destroyed the tiger or tiger slayer in reference to a hunting expedition when he breaks away from the party while being pursued by a tiger but in the end kills it.[4] He proudly traces his lineage back by 49 preceding generations without a break to one of the kings of ancient Dvārakā.[5] He is later defeated by Karikala and becomes a subordinate to the Chola sovereign.[6]

It has been recorded that one Irunkōvēl was present at the coronation of a Karikala Chola after giving him some earth for the ceremony.[7]

Irungola Cholas

The Irungovel chieftains were not merely feudatories but were related to the Cholas through matrimony.[8] The Cholas considered the offspring of these unions as one of their own and referred to them as Pillai meaning child or son in their epigraphs.[9] These princes assumed both the Chola and Irungovel titles like for example there was one Adavallan Gangaikonda Cholan alias Irungolan during the time of Kulottunga I and then there was a certain Sendamangalam Udaiyan Araiyan Edirili Cholan alias Irungolan during the reign of Kulottunga III.[10][11]

Here is an inscription belonging to one of the kings of the Irunkōvēl line from the Adhipuriswara temple in Tiruvorriyur district:

Records in the reign of the Ganga-pallava king Kovijiya Kampavarman, gift of 27 kalanju of gold for offerings by Pudi Arindigai, wife of Videlvidigu-Ilangovelar of Kodumbalur in Ko-nadu. The money was placed in the hands of the residents of Vaikattur, a suburb of Tiruvorriuyur, on interest at 3 manjadi per kalanju per annum.[12]

See also

References

Citations

  1. Epigraphia Indica, Volume 12, page 122
  2. K. R. Srinivasa Ayyar (1941). Inscriptions in the Pudukkóttai State, Part 1. Commissioner of Museums, Government of Tamilnadu. p. 17.
  3. Historical heritage of the Tamils, page 287
  4. Journal of Indian history, Volume 42, page 883
  5. Pivot politics: changing cultural identities in early state formation processes, page 165
  6. Studies in Indian epigraphy, Volume 32, page 58
  7. Pivot politics: changing cultural identities in early state formation processes, page 66
  8. S. R. Balasubrahmanyam. Early Chola Temples: Parantaka I to Rajaraja I, A.D. 907-985. Orient Longman, 1971 - Architecture, Chola - 351 pages. p. 110.
  9. N. Sethuraman. Medieval Pandyas, A.D. 1000-1200. N. Sethuraman, 1980 - Pandyas - 200 pages. p. 21.
  10. D. Ananda Naidu, Gaṅgiśeṭṭi Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa, Vi Gōpālakr̥ṣṇa, Dravidian University. Dept. of History, Archaeology, and Culture. Perspectives of South Indian history and culture. Dravidian University, 2006 - History - 314 pages. p. 198.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. B. Natarajan. The city of the cosmic dance: Chidambaram. Orient Longman, 1974 - Travel - 164 pages. p. 36.
  12. South Indian shrines: illustrated By P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar, page 57

Bibliography

  • Historical heritage of the Tamils By Ca. Vē Cuppiramaṇiyan̲, Ka. Ta Tirunāvukkaracu, International Institute of Tamil Studies
  • Journal of Indian history, Volume 42 By University of Allahabad. Dept. of Modern Indian History, University of Kerala. Dept. of History, University of Travancore, University of Kerala
  • Epigraphia Indica, Volume 12 By Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
  • Pivot politics: changing cultural identities in early state formation processes By M. van Bakel, Renée Hagesteijn, Piet van de Velde
  • Studies in Indian epigraphy, Volume 32 By Epigraphical Society of India
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