The reign of Rajendra Chola-I, son of Rajaraja Chola-I, opened a glorious chapter not only in the history of Tamil Nadu but also of Ariyalur Region because of his foundation for a new capital for Cholas called Gangaikondacholapuram in the Udaiyarpalayam Taluk.
Vanniyar, popularly called Padaiyatchis are one of the major communities living in Ariyalur region. During the medieval period they were called as Palli. Some fifty records of the Chola period are available in Ariyalur region and in the adjoining area which refer to the Vanniyas. The inscriptions show that many Pallis hailed from the villages located in Karaikkadu, Tunda Nadu and Sennivala Kurran which existed in Ariyalur region. A record of Rajendra Chola-I in 1022 A.D. refers to Palli (Vanniyar) settlement in the 11 cheris of Viranarayana Chaturvedimangalam.
Many inscriptions show that the Pallis had the titles of Araiyan, Periyarayan, Nadu Udaiyan, Nadalvan, Kani Udaiyan, Ur Udaiyan etc., which were prefixed with the name or surname of Chola Kings indicating their position in Chola Government. The following were a few titles of individual Pallis of this area as shown in inscriptions.
Cholendrasinga Periyaraiyan.
Singalandaka Periyaraiyan.
Madurandaka Periyaraiyan.
Sundara Periyaraiyan.
Mudikondachola Muttaraiyan.
Kadarankondachola Periyaraiyan.
Manikka Periyaraiyan.
Jayankondachola Tunda Nadalvan.
Tundanadu Udaiyan Kalayanapuramkondan.
Tenuril Kani udaiaya Tundarayan.
Aykkudiyil Kani udaiya Palligalil Ponnan (alias) Mudikonachola Muttaraiyan.
Olaippadiyil Kani udaiya Palligalil Karitirichchan Vikramachola Muttaraiyan.
Tongapurattil Kani udaiya Palligalil Alagan Ambalavan Kulothungachola Muttaraiyan.
Kurukkaiyil Kani udaiya Palligalil Pandyan Sokkan Maragadachola Muttaraiyan.
The above titles show their participation in the military exploits of Chola Kings and their landholding status and official position in Chola Government. Many Chola records refers to the Pallis as Bowmen and adept in archery (Vil, Villigal). Records name several regiments of archers (villigal padai) composed of the people of Vanniya caste by the Cholas.
Two records of 1045 A.D. and 1050 A.D. in Vriddachalam indicate the emergence of Jayankondacholapuram nagaram (Jayankondam, Udaiyarpalaiyam Taluk) and some individuals of Palli caste of Jayankondacholapuram and Visayapuram as army personnel.
A chief of Palli caste named Kuttan Pakkan (alias) Jayankondachola Tunda Nadalvan figures in the record of 1067 A.D. His name indicates his political status in Tunda Nadu area.
During the reign of Vikramachola (1118-36) and of his successors, inscriptions give enough information to show that the Palli and Surutiman castes of this region supplied soldiers, officials and generals to the Chola Government and enjoyed status in the contemporary society.
An officer of Palli caste named Sendan Suttamallan (alias) Vanakovaraiyan received land called tirumugakani from the king and he also made a gift of land to the Sennivanam temple in 1137 A.D. His another record in Aduturai (1130 A.D) mentions that he guilded the Tiruchchirrambalamudaiyar temple with gold.
In the reign of Rajadhiraja Chola-II (1166 - 1182 A.D), Vannadu Udaiyan Rajarajadevan (alias) Rajadhiraja Magadai Nadalvan, Tundanadu Udaiyan Tiruviradan (alias) Tundarayapanman Ariyavayan, Kadandai Sendan Adittan (alias) Rajaraja Vangara Muttaraiyan, Siraman Suttamallan (alias) Vikramachola Malayakularayan, etc. It seems these chiefs who had the status of "Rasukulavar" (Royal Families) had become aggressive by appropriating for themselves landholdings of temples, etc.
A record of 1216 A.D. refers to an army wing called Surutiman RajendraChola Terinda Villigal (archers) which comprised of Padaimudaligal (army generals) of Surutimans of anju nadu including Kunra Kurram and Melkaraikkadu.
The number of Chieftains of Vanniya caste with the titles of Vangara Muttaraiyan also called Kadandaiyar, Tunda Nadu Udaiyar/Tundarayan, Vanakovaraiyar and Kachchiyarayar held sway as Padikaval officers over parts of Ariyalur region.
The people of martial communities such as Palli and Surutiman castes joined the Chola Militia and rose to high status in the Chola Government and dominated as chiefs in Ariyalur region. Of them Tundanadu Udaiyar, Kandandaiyar (also called Vangara Muttaraiyar) and Vanakovaraiyar were important chiefs.
Thanks to : Prof Dr. L. Thiyagarajan.
----- xx ----- xx ----- xx -----
