Poompuhar - The lost city of Ancient Treasure
This Flourishing Rich port city of early Chola Kingdom is located at the mouth of Cauvery, but this treasure city was washed away by Tsunami and recurring erosions in 300 BCE. The sea swallowed the entire beauty, wealth and buildings of the original city, at present only small village is remaining.
The Sangam Tamil literatures Silapathikaram, Pattinappalai, Manimekalai and Agananuru describes Poompuhar as Capital port city of Cholas. This glorious city was constructed in well planned manner, was rich in cultural diversities, served as international trade center with huge and tall beautiful mansions, warehouses near the shore with high platforms. The detailed layout of this eminent city, its fertility, prosperity, perennial flow of Cauvery, harbor, custom house, life style of people and their occupations were mentioned in the Fifth chapter of Silapathikaram.
This historic place was classified into two broad division, Maruvurpakam which is near the sea shore and Pattinappakam to its west. These two divisions were separated by stretch of wide beautiful garden, where daily market (Angadi in Tamil) was held under the shades of the trees, the day market was known as 'Nalangadi' and the night market was known as 'Allangadi'.
Poompuhar, also called as 'Kaveripoompattinam' is an ancient historic town in Nagapattinam district. It was one of the most important, busiest and richest International port of Sangam era in Ancient India, during the reign of early Cholas. Initially it was called as 'Puhar' , meaning 'Estuary' in Tamil, the place where the river Cauvery enters into Bay of Bengal, but due to its magnificent beauty it was named as 'Poompuhar' . It served as Political, Commercial and cultural activities center of Ancient Tamils. This celebrated coastline town was a capital city of Early chola rulers such as Sembiya, Muchkunda, Manuneethi Cholan and Karikala Cholan. ( The Grand Anicut / Kallanai was built by the King Karikala Cholan about 2000 years ago, which is still in use. To know more details about Kallanai, Reach to - https://divinediyaas.blogspot.com/2019/10/grand-anicut-kallanai-oldest-barrage-in.html )
This Flourishing Rich port city of early Chola Kingdom is located at the mouth of Cauvery, but this treasure city was washed away by Tsunami and recurring erosions in 300 BCE. The sea swallowed the entire beauty, wealth and buildings of the original city, at present only small village is remaining.
Poompuhar
What was so special about this city ? One of the Five epics of Tamil literature, Silapathikaram says that Lord Indra ordered Vishwakarma (Divine Architect of Gods), to build this city for the King Muchkunda Chola, as a matter of gratitude, as the King stood with Indra and helped him to win the battles against demons / Asuras. In Poompuhar, the ships were screeched with wealth of seven continents, even Devas come and worship in the powerful Shiva temples and the nights were so bright that even a small grain of rice dropped in the beach will be clearly visible to the naked eye. This city was full of treasure from all the countries, filled with traders and merchants of Gold, Silk, Pearls, Pepper, Grains, Sandal wood, Diamonds etc, it was a major trading and finance center of India. Also, this was the first and only kingdom in Ancient India with Naval fleet. Early Cholas built strong navy to fight over seas during War, conquered several countries and expanded their kingdom.
The Sangam Tamil literatures Silapathikaram, Pattinappalai, Manimekalai and Agananuru describes Poompuhar as Capital port city of Cholas. This glorious city was constructed in well planned manner, was rich in cultural diversities, served as international trade center with huge and tall beautiful mansions, warehouses near the shore with high platforms. The detailed layout of this eminent city, its fertility, prosperity, perennial flow of Cauvery, harbor, custom house, life style of people and their occupations were mentioned in the Fifth chapter of Silapathikaram.
This historic place was classified into two broad division, Maruvurpakam which is near the sea shore and Pattinappakam to its west. These two divisions were separated by stretch of wide beautiful garden, where daily market (Angadi in Tamil) was held under the shades of the trees, the day market was known as 'Nalangadi' and the night market was known as 'Allangadi'.
Maruvurpakam was near the beach with several terraced mansions, granaries and warehouses, where the working class, Greek (Yavana) merchants and other merchants from foreign countries lived in the outskirts of Maruvurpakam and carried their business. It was also inhabited by fisher folks. According to the author of Silapathikaram, Poompuhar was a Maha nagara, a great city with busy port where horses were brought by the ships, gold from northern mountains, gemstones and pearls from southern seas and wheat from Gangetic region.
The streets of Maruvurpakam were occupied by the Yavana sailors, silk traders, oversea traders, weavers, grain merchants, jewelers, gem traders, potters and diamond makers .
The streets next to Yavanas were occupied by Weavers who work on Silk, fur and cotton clothing. The art of stitching fabrics of Silk, Cotton and wool were known to them and there are about 32 different types of clothing mentioned in Silapathikaram. Mountain of silks, loads of gemstones, Gold, Corals, Sandalwood, pure pearls, Eagle wood, perfumes and separate loads of Grains, pulses were exhibited in the market. There were various small merchants who sells betel leaves, Oil, flour and women selling sweet flour cakes. Adjacent to this street, there were Gold smiths, Copper Smiths, Bronze smiths who melt metals and make ornaments out of it. Variety of jewels were mentioned in the literature, such as beads, Chains, anklets, Bangles, Rings, necklaces, Arm band etc. Next street was occupied by skilled tailors who stitch rich clothes and make covers made out of leather and there are many other streets where musicians, workers, Carpenters who make different Utensils, furniture, Ships, Toys , Weapons, Tools and Chariots from wood were also engaged in there. Even today, this city is famous for its different types of Handicrafts and Arts.
It is stated that even in the night, the market will look bright with many lights, shiny gold, pearls and diamonds. This place was home for most powerful and popular trading community, Chettiars of Vashiyas. Through this port, many traders of Chettiar community traveled and expanded their business widely in Malaysia, Singapore, Sri lanka, China, Indonesia and many foreign countries.
It is stated that even in the night, the market will look bright with many lights, shiny gold, pearls and diamonds. This place was home for most powerful and popular trading community, Chettiars of Vashiyas. Through this port, many traders of Chettiar community traveled and expanded their business widely in Malaysia, Singapore, Sri lanka, China, Indonesia and many foreign countries.
Presence of Many foreign traders near the sea shore (Maruvurpakam) entitled Chola custom officials to affix Custom seal (Tiger Seal) on the imported goods. The custom officials did not allow to remove the imported goods from the shipyard until the customs duty was paid.
These square copper coins which has Tiger symbol on one side and Elephant symbol on the other side was now unearthed by the archaeologists in Puhar.
Pattinappakam - Here, the palace of King was located. King's street (Raja Veedhi) is the main highway. The leading merchants, Pious Brahmins, Nobles, Rice merchants , Farmers, Astrologers and Ayurvedic physicians stayed in different streets of Pattinappakam. People who make pearl jewelries, bangles and rings lived in the streets parallel to the western side of the palace. Dancers were also stayed in various streets near to the Palace.
Cooks, Musicians and army people stayed in the streets next to them, followed by the streets for servants of Royal household and residence of those who train horses and elephants in different quarters. Last, there were lot of open space to train Horses and Elephants for military purpose, Early Cholas were well know for their huge Elephant Army, Kings take elephant ride in the street to visit people, riding in elephant is considered as most prestigious, powerful and honorable act. There were also a shipyard and warehouse in pattinappakam. The town has special enclaves for foreign visitors and king's soldiers.
Cooks, Musicians and army people stayed in the streets next to them, followed by the streets for servants of Royal household and residence of those who train horses and elephants in different quarters. Last, there were lot of open space to train Horses and Elephants for military purpose, Early Cholas were well know for their huge Elephant Army, Kings take elephant ride in the street to visit people, riding in elephant is considered as most prestigious, powerful and honorable act. There were also a shipyard and warehouse in pattinappakam. The town has special enclaves for foreign visitors and king's soldiers.
Once the legendary port city had trade links to ancient Greece and Rome and far east. Traders came from Rome, Greece and Egypt to deal in silk and pearls. Big ships entered into the port without any hassle and precious goods arrived from other countries were stored in huge warehouse, which was displayed in both Day market and Night market.
The Rich merchants of Manigrama, a suburban village of ancient Poompuhar traveled by boats accompanied by 'Sena muka' (soldiers to defend vessels against pirates) to Takua Pa (now in Thailand) to trade in mani, gems. Ship building was one of the major industries in Poompuhar, as it served as capital port, they used large vessels to carry goods for the export. In Tamil, the large vessels are called as 'Marakkalam'
This puhar port declined with fall of cholas and when Pallavas took charge, they moved their capital port to north side called 'Mamallapuram' / 'Mahabalipuram'. They built a temple for Lord Shiva called Pallavaneswaram in Puhar during their period. This region was again occupied by later Cholas and named it as 'Kaveripattinam' (Kaveri poogum pattinam, meaning Town where River Kaveri reaching the Sea) , but the city was affected by constant climatic changes and erosion near the coastline. So, Nagapattinam which is 50 kms away from Puhar emerged as important port and trading center for later Cholas.
The Rich merchants of Manigrama, a suburban village of ancient Poompuhar traveled by boats accompanied by 'Sena muka' (soldiers to defend vessels against pirates) to Takua Pa (now in Thailand) to trade in mani, gems. Ship building was one of the major industries in Poompuhar, as it served as capital port, they used large vessels to carry goods for the export. In Tamil, the large vessels are called as 'Marakkalam'
This puhar port declined with fall of cholas and when Pallavas took charge, they moved their capital port to north side called 'Mamallapuram' / 'Mahabalipuram'. They built a temple for Lord Shiva called Pallavaneswaram in Puhar during their period. This region was again occupied by later Cholas and named it as 'Kaveripattinam' (Kaveri poogum pattinam, meaning Town where River Kaveri reaching the Sea) , but the city was affected by constant climatic changes and erosion near the coastline. So, Nagapattinam which is 50 kms away from Puhar emerged as important port and trading center for later Cholas.
But after many Sangam era references to this city, there was no such references of Puhar in Tamil for many centuries. Though the city was submerged under the sea, the evidences for existences of this place, Glory of Chera, Chola and Pandyas, Famous tamil epics and literatures, manuscripts (Olai Suvadi) were deliberately destroyed as it was under the invasion of many rulers.
At last, this ancient city was washed by powerful sea storm and periodic sediment erosion. Evidences such as inter dial zone, hydro-graphic charts proves that shoreline recession is at the rate of 1m / year, with this rate as references, the ancient poompuhar must have extended towards sea from the present coastline. Tsunami in Puhar was mentioned in the literature, Manimekalai, which states that town Kaveripoompatinam or Puhar was swallowed up by sea.
At last, this ancient city was washed by powerful sea storm and periodic sediment erosion. Evidences such as inter dial zone, hydro-graphic charts proves that shoreline recession is at the rate of 1m / year, with this rate as references, the ancient poompuhar must have extended towards sea from the present coastline. Tsunami in Puhar was mentioned in the literature, Manimekalai, which states that town Kaveripoompatinam or Puhar was swallowed up by sea.
Excavated sites
The untold stories of ancient Tamilians, historical truth of Sangam Era and this ancient Chola city was vanished away by several major Tsunamis, floods and regular erosions. Now, the remains of the city with structures and clear sculptures was found under the water of Bay of Bengal, rediscovered by marine archaeologist and excavated the off shore sites near to the remains of Puhar city. Excavations are carried out in the remains of small villages near Poompuhar such as Kelaperumpallam, Vanagiri, Pallavaneswaram, Keezhaiyur and Melaperumpallam, where considerable amount of terracotta figures were found.
The untold stories of ancient Tamilians, historical truth of Sangam Era and this ancient Chola city was vanished away by several major Tsunamis, floods and regular erosions. Now, the remains of the city with structures and clear sculptures was found under the water of Bay of Bengal, rediscovered by marine archaeologist and excavated the off shore sites near to the remains of Puhar city. Excavations are carried out in the remains of small villages near Poompuhar such as Kelaperumpallam, Vanagiri, Pallavaneswaram, Keezhaiyur and Melaperumpallam, where considerable amount of terracotta figures were found.
Many tamil texts were found from the site, also there are Tamil - Brahmi inscriptions which dates back to 3rd century BCE. Though it was traced to third century BCE, Poompuhar was much older than that, because this port was used by Early Cholas who ruled in the period of 600 BCE, during the reign of Manu neethi Cholan and his predecessor Muchkunda Cholan. It was told that Manu neethi cholan ruled during 2nd BCE, it is Wrong ! His period was even before that, with reference to the order of the Kings and their artifacts. The credibility of ancient Tamils are consistently suppressed with fake dates and camouflaged with hoax stories about religion and language. (These hoax stories will be unmasked in the Kumari Kandam Post).
Coming back to Poompuhar, Archaeology department revealed the existence of brick figures, several relics of three ring well, remains of buildings, beautiful temples, precious stones, beads, copper coins and pots were unearthed during the excavation. The brick structure and buildings proves that it was well planned city with sophisticated facilities. Lots of beads, semi precious stones were pulled out from the site such as Stone beads, shell beads and bangles made out of conch shells.
Coming back to Poompuhar, Archaeology department revealed the existence of brick figures, several relics of three ring well, remains of buildings, beautiful temples, precious stones, beads, copper coins and pots were unearthed during the excavation. The brick structure and buildings proves that it was well planned city with sophisticated facilities. Lots of beads, semi precious stones were pulled out from the site such as Stone beads, shell beads and bangles made out of conch shells.
During excavation, temples for Lord Shiva, idols of Indra, Ganesha and Chathuka bootham, the last deities were also found.
Metal Anklet
Pottery Samples
Under Water Archaeology
In 1981, a team of Tamil Nadu Archaeology department and National Institute of Oceanography (Goa) conducted under water excavation survey at Tranquebar (Tarangambadi) which is 5 Km south of Poompuhar, to locate the shipwreck. About 3.5 kms from shore, a shipwreck has been identified at the depth of 19 meters, which was made of wood.
The remains of Wharf which was out made of burned bricks was also rediscovered and proves that this ancient port city is under the water now. The other burned brick wharfs were also found which dated back to 3rd century BCE. The wharf has a brick structure with drain for the flow of water and a platform supported by wooden posts for handling cargo. They have also discovered a semi circular brick structure, probably a reservoir during the excavation.
The under water excavation led to the discovery of stone structure of ancient ports and temples which were buried about 30 feet in the sea. Ancient pottery dating back to 4th century BCE and roman coins have been discovered by off shore marine archaeologist near the east of this town.
The submerged remnants of this flourished city was revealed by NIO, they identified ancient wells, copper coins, statues and sculptures of Gods .
The submerged remnants of this flourished city was revealed by NIO, they identified ancient wells, copper coins, statues and sculptures of Gods .
In 1993, it was examined again by NIO diver archaeologists and reported that U shaped structure lies at the depth of 23 meter. The historical significance of this discovery is that, it is much older structure compared to any other discovered earlier, it is also 6000 years older than first monumental architecture of Egypt and ancient Sumerian. It is believed that it might be submerged about 11,000 years ago.
This brings up the spark of doubt about submerged Kumari Kandam, which is a huge land mass connecting the southern tip of Tamil nadu!!! The Ancient Great Tamil kingdom once existed in this area called 'Kumari Kandam' which coincides with this date !!! This discovery proves that Kumari Kandam was once existed and Poompuhar was also part of it about 11,000 years ago, the sunken Treasure of Ancient Tamil civilization.
This brings up the spark of doubt about submerged Kumari Kandam, which is a huge land mass connecting the southern tip of Tamil nadu!!! The Ancient Great Tamil kingdom once existed in this area called 'Kumari Kandam' which coincides with this date !!! This discovery proves that Kumari Kandam was once existed and Poompuhar was also part of it about 11,000 years ago, the sunken Treasure of Ancient Tamil civilization.
--- Coming Soon to Kumari Kandam Post
- Aarthi Thiyagarajan
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