to raise high banks along both sides of the Kaviri and constructed sluices and canals to distribute and regulate the water supply.[1] The irrigation of the countries watered by the Kaviri was improved to such an extent that it was a common saying that every grain sown there yielded a thousand-fold. Karikal’s sagacious mind was not slow to discover that the position of his capital at Uraiyur, so far from the Sea Coast, was disadvantageous to commerce. He therefore fortified Kavirip-paddinam the grand emporium of trade at the mouth of the Kaviri, and made it his capital.[2] The impetus given to commerce and agriculture by his wise measures speedily bore fruit, and his country became so wealthy and prosperous that his grateful subjects ever afterwards called him “Karikal-Peruvalathan” or “Karikal the great Chola.”
Karikal was also known by the name Perum-Thiru-Mavalavan.[3] Towards the close of his reign, the Pandiyan King Velliampalathu-Thunjia-Peru-Valuthi appears to have gone on a visit to Karikal. When the two monarchs were seated together, the poet Kari-Kannan of Kaviripaddinam addressed them as follows :—[4]
“Thou art the Lord of the Kaviri whose floods carry fertility (to many a land)! This King is the lion of the warlike race of the Panchavas, who, not disheartened by the death of his elders, valiantly protects his good subjects, like the long shoots of the shady baniyan tree, which strike root in the ground and keep the tree alive although the parent trunk is withered; and who though young has speedily scattered his enemies like the thunder bolt which smites whole broods of serpents. Thou art the warrior of Uranthai, where charity abides! This King unlike other monarchs, whose realms can boast of only well watered fields and plentiful harvests, is Lord of the sandal trees of the hills, the pearls of the sea and the three thundering drums, and rules with mercy the city of Kudal, which is the seat of Tamil learning. Majestic like the two gods, one of whom, fair in complexion, bears the flag of the Palmyra (Baladêva) and the other of dark hue, whose weapon
