Date:25/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/25/stories/2005072504250200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Making unearthed information public

T. Saravanan

MADURAI: Do you know that in earlier days people used copper plates to issue government orders and record significant events? Historians found out some important information from these plates regarding donations to temples, and the king bestowing the title of `nattanmai' (village head) on a person.

Copper plates were significant, as they were used to resolve some land and communal disputes.

The State Archaeological Department is now doing what our ancestors failed to do earlier. It is in the process of unearthing copper plates carrying valuable information to know more about the culture and lifestyle of our ancestors. The department has compiled the information contained in copper plates in a book titled Tamizhaga Cheppedugal - Volume I, which was released at the renovated council hall of the Tirumalai Nayak Mahal by the Madurai Collector, D. Raajendiran, in the presence of T.S. Sridhar, Special Commissioner, Archaeological Department, on Friday. More than 400 copper plates exist in Tamil Nadu, of which 30 belong to the Pallavas and 10 to the Pandyas.

Details gathered from 40 copper plates are found in the books first volume. Since most of the information contained in this volume is relevant to Madurai, the book was released in the Temple City, said the Special Commissioner.