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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
contributed to literacy from the beginning. It is evident from the titles of Nuns occurring in the Jaina inscriptions from the early period ie. 3rd Cent. B.C. Jaina monks and Nuns along with their endeavor towards spiritual sublimity and liberation, attempted and successfully "developed a script for the language leading to literacy and the later efflorescence of Sangam literature in the early centuries of the Christian era.” Pallis
The cave shelters or Jaina hermitages, are referred to in the inscriptions as Pallis. The literal meaning, sleeping place is applied to the shelters with stone beds and extended to temples. Since these shelters are also centres of learning, palli came to mean school also. It is used even in present day in the same sense. The land grants and endowments given to these pallis are called pallichandam. In Sangam literature there are references to these pallis and Jaina monks (e.g. Pattinapalai - 53 Madurai Kanchi 475-488, Akam. 123.) In Cilapathikaram there is a detailed description of the palli, Jaina nun - Kavunti, and charanas. In it the palli is prefixed Adroit pious monastery
"Arathurai Pogiya Aravor Palli" Thapatha Palli - (Jivaga Chinthamani - 2630.)
Instances of such prefixes are plenty in inscriptions also. Some of these prefixes may indicate the nature of the activities and the monk in charge of the monastery; in others the donor's name is included. There are also examples of prefixes that refer the palli by the number: MAADEVI PERUM PALLI - Samanamalai 9th century KANDARAADITTA PERUM PALLI- Jambai 11th AD
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