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178
Jaina Inscriptions in Tamilnadu
Dynasty
Pāņaya
King
Nequńjeliyan
Date
2nd - 1st centuries B. C.
Tamil, Brāhmi
Language
and Script
Contents
Dedication (dhammam) to Kaniynanta, (the) monk (living) yonder. This monstery (palli) (was) caused to be given (by) KatalanValutiy, (an) officer (paņa-an) (under) Nedunceliyan.
Reference
ARE, 465/1906, I. Mahadevan, op. cit., Mārkuļam, No. 1.
Remarks
The inscription brings to light the names of a Pàņd ya king Neduncheliyan and one of his officers, Kaļalanvaluti. Some of the Pāņdya kings of the Sangam age bore the name Ned uńcheliyan. But it is not definite whether the king referred to in this record is identical with anyone of those who find place in the Sangam works, or a king much earlier to them.
Kaninanta seems to be a reputed Jaina monk as his name occurs in some more epigraphs from Mānkulam.