Persians. The Tamil Dravidian, in his march towards India, must have lived in Persia, and moved with Persians sufficiently long to adopt the above custom.
Again some of the Tamil districts abound with peculiar tombstones called 'Virakkals.' They were usually set up on the graves of warriors that were slain in battle, chiefly in skirmishes following cattle raids.[1] The names of the deceased soldiers and their exploits are found inscribed on the stones, which were decorated with garlands of peacock feathers or some kind of red flowers. Usually small canopies were put up over them.
(1) உடம்பே...
அம்பொடு துளங்கி யாண்டொழிந் தன்றே
யுயரிசை வெறுப்பத் தோன்றி பெயரே
மடஞ்சான் மஞ்ஞை யணிமயிர் சூட்டி
யிடமபிறர் கொள்ளாச் சிறுவழிப்
படஞ்செய் பந்தர்க் கன்மிசை யதுவே.-Pur.
(2) பட்டோர் பெயர் மாற்றலு மெழுதி
நட்டகல்லு மூதூர் நத்தமும்.-Cher.
We give below a specimen of such an epitaph dated 936 A. D. ‘Prosperity! In the twenty-ninth year of King Parakesari Varman who conquered Madura when cattle were listed at Muttukur by the Perumanadigal, Vadunavaran Varadan Tandan having recovered them fell.'
A careful study of the Purapporul Venbamalai will doubtless convince the reader that the ancient
- ↑ In ancient India the lifting of the enemy's cattle usually announced the commencement of hostilities between neighbouring tribes or provinces.
