Tamizh kings and culture in ancient Iran - Hidden truths !! - Part 1

 Tamizh kings and culture in ancient Iran - Hidden truths !! - Part 1

        In my previous post, have uncovered practice of Hinduism in early Iran several thousand years before. In this post, let me throw some lights on hidden truths about tamizh civilization in ancient Iran.

        The historical records about Tamizh civilization in Iran was deeply buried, believing that it won't be recognised, the credibility of ancient tamizhs are consistently suppressed. But now, it can't be hidden anymore. This blog will expose the glory of early tamizh civilization that occurred outside India. There are many facts to fall for the tamizh civilization that already existed in Iran. 

        Tamizh people have established their civilisation in different period of times starting from 10,000 BCE i.e during the submergence of Kumari kandam's First tamizh sangam. Kollam in Kerala served as Port city of Pandyas at West and Kulasekarapatnam at the East. Kollam was important port city of tamizh kings, during Sangam age Kerala was part of tamizhakam.

         Ancient tamizhakam comprises of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Lakshadweep i.e the entire south india was called as tamizhakam. Only in the span of last 100 years, it was split into different states such as Kerala, Andra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka due to divide and rule politics of British people. Tamizh was the natural language of the people in South India for several thousand years, it's culture was followed unanimously by all south indians / tamizhakam people. Tamizhakam was named as 'tamizh' and 'akam' -  means internal, together know as  'Homeland of tamizh people'

        The ancient tamizhakam was divided into kingdoms, some of the popular kingdoms were Pandyans, Cheras, Cholas and Pallavas. During the Sangam period, Tamil culture began to spread outside Tamizhakam. Ancient Tamil settlements were also found in Sri Lanka and Maldives.

        Tamizh kings have also expanded their kingdom in Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria as well. Once, Iran was ruled by great tamil kings and tamil was widely spoken by the people over there. They worshiped early thamizh gods, followed their livelihood, traditions and culture according to the texts mentioned in Sangam literature. 

The tamizh kings who ruled outside India doesn't have much historical records and not recognised either. Tamizhakam was ruled by major kings and minor kings ( kuru Nila mannargal). When the history and reference of great major tamizh kings were buried deeply, then the laurels of minor chieftains were gone in air.... 

    Now, before going to facts of tamizh civilisation in ancient Iran, first let us see about minor kings of tamizhakam, who were later connected with Iran.

These Ay, Velir, kizhar chieftains were minor kings who ruled some of the regions of tamizhakam. They mostly held the regions in western side (Kerala) of tamizhakam. So, through their Western ports these kings have explored through Persian gulf and established their kingdom in Persian countries. The references for the same explained in this post in the first point.  This post is about 3 parts, it will uncover the buried facts of tamizh civilization in ancient Persia. 

       There are many places and lakes in Iran were named in tamizh, some places were named as per the guidelines of Sangam literature and some were named after tamizh kings and Gods. Let us see about the details one by one.

1. Ay and Velir kings of Tamizhakam in ancient Persia

        Ay dynasty in Tamizhakam has controlled the south-western tip of the peninsula, from the early historic period up to the medieval period. Traditionally this clan had their dominance over the harbour of Vizhinjam, the fertile region of Nanjinad and southern parts of the spice-producing Western Ghat mountains. From this king's region pepper, cardamon, aloe vera and much valued spices were exported to persian countries.

The Ay formed one of the major chieftains of early historic and elephant was their emblem. The name Ay is derived from the early tamil word "Ay" meaning cowherd, Lord Krishna was from this clan and their group of people called as 'Ayar', meaning cow herd people.

        As Ay kings held power over the harbour regions of south western tamizhakam (present day Kerala), they served as liege to early Pandya Kings. Famous Ay Titiyan was a vassal of the Pandya ruler Bhuta Pandya. In the medieval period, this dynasty was also known as 'Kupaka dynasty'. Sangam literature mentioned about the list of tamizh speaking countries (nadu) outside tamizhakam, Kupaka nadu is one of them. So, this Ay dynasty kings has established their kingdom outside ancient tamizhakam and named it after them as 'Kupaka'.

Now, how is this Ay dynasty related to Iran ???

        Kings of Ay ruled early Iran and named their capital as Kupaka, as mentioned in the sangam literature. 

        Kuhpayeh - also known as Kuhpa is a city and capital of Kuhpayeh District in Iran. In Iran, the word "kuhpayeh" means "the foot of mountain" or "the base of mountain" and there are several cities and villages across Iran named "Kuhpayeh". Kuhpayeh has a distinct language/dialect, known as "Velayati". This language name's root word 'Vel' is a proper tamizh word. 

Velir Kings

        Velir kings were independent chieftains, Ay kings had a close relationship with velir kings from the pre historic period. Athiyaman neduman anci was famous generous velir king of ancient tamizhakam. He was praised for his generosity known as Kadai ezhu vallal - meaning last seven patrons. He ruled the neighbouring region of Iran, i.e present day Turkey. 

        There is a major city in Turkey, major after Velir king Adhiyaman - 'Adiyaman' is capital city of Adiyaman province of Turkey. Why it has to be named after Tamizh king??

    King Adhiyaman's homeland was Malaya mountains of tamizhakam and hence there is a place called 'Malatya' near Adiyaman province in turkey.  Why there are places in turkey named in tamizh ???

    So, Velir kings and Ay kings have ruled some regions in ancient Persia. These kings have reached persia after early Pandya kings and Chola kings have expanded their kingdom over there. It is also mentioned that Velir chieftains were vassals of Pandya kings, as they belong to clan of Pandya kings. It was mentioned in the historic caves of tamil nadu that velirs traced their ancestry to Pandya Kings. 

2. Malaiyaman dynasty

        Malaiyaman thirumudi Kaari of Malaiyaman dynasty is one of the kadai ezhu vallal of last sangam era, last seven patrons. People considered him as one of the most modest king. Poet Auvaiyar took velir king Vel pari's daughters named Angavai, Sangavai and married them to Deiveegan, son of King Kari. 

  Ay Kings <-> Velir King <-> Malaiyaman King

    Now, Velir dynasty is linked with Malaiyaman dynasty and it in turn linked with Ay dynasty. Important point to be noted here is, they all are chieftains of ancient tamizhakam and established their flag in the persian countries. Thats the reason that many places in persian countries (Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria) were named after them. 

        This clan's most famous king was Malaiyaman Thirumudi Kaari, who ruled mostly hill countries. Their royal emblem featured a horse, depicted on their issued coins. Malaiyamān chiefs ruled over the Tirukoyilur area also known as Kovalur in Tamizhakam. They traced their lineage to the ancient Chedi Kingdom mentioned in the Kurukshetra war.    

        The Malayamans were also chieftains who ruled Miladu Naadu in Tamizhakam, during the Sangam period and so they were called as Malayarayar, Maladu-mannar (king of the inhabitants of hills), Milad-udaiyan. 

How Malayamans are linked with Iran ?

Like Miladu nadu of Malaiyamans, there is place called 'Milatun' in Busheher province of Iran. There is also place called 'Kari' nearby, which was named after their king Malaiyaman Kari. 

    A. Malard also known as Malār is a city and capital of Malard County, Tehran Province, Iran. Malar is a proper tamizh word.

    B. Milatun  is a village in Mishan Rural District, Mahvarmilani District, Mamasani County, Fars Province, Iran. 

        Mamasani is an ancient tribe with numerous sub-tribes live in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and other countries. The main tribe resides in Mamasani county in Fars province in Iran and speak Luri language. This luri language is spoken in Illam province, Malayer, Markazi provinces of Iran. 

Miladu or Milatu is a very pure Tamil form of Malainadu - meaning the hill country  

    C. Milad is a village is East Azerbaijan district of Iran

Malayer -  Malaiyamans are the descended from the pastoral shepherd tribe in the Mullai (forest) region and the people who ruled hill countries were called as 'Malayer'. 

'Malayer' is city and county located in Hamadan province of Iran. Why it should be named in tamizh ?

It was named after Malayer caste people, denoting that they were the hill ruling people. Malai - means mountain / hill in tamizh.  It is of interest to note that Vanavan Mahadevi, the mother of Rajaraja Chola I, was a princess of Malayaman family. Thus, Malaiyaman clan and Cholas are related.

                 

In the above picture, there is also a place named 'Kalar' in Iran. What is the meaning of Kalar ?  Who are they ?

2. Kalar ? 

        Kalar were originally called as 'Kallar'. Kallar - a rural group of people in ancient tamizhakam, served in majorly armies of Chola and Early Pandya kings. As they were into armies, they traditionally practiced the ancient martial arts from childhood known as 'Adimurai'. Adimurai is the oldest martial arts and science and the mother of all martial arts in the world. Detailed information about Adimurai is mentioned in the below link

https://divinediyaas.blogspot.com/2020/02/adimurai-first-martial-science-in-world.html

        The famous Thondaiman dynasty kings were hailed from kallar caste. 

    
        Kupaka, Kari, Adiyaman, Malatya, Milatun, Malayer, Kalar... Why all these has to be named in tamizh ? Till now, I have revealed only few tamizh places in Iran, a lot more places and major facts to come in the next part....

--- to be continued in Part 2....

- Aarthi Thiyagarajan