404 Analysis of the Mackenzie Manuscripts, [Ma^ 



in PuraUr, He divided the Curumba land into twenty-four parts, 

 and constructed a fort in each district. Of these the names of ten are 



Puralur, the royal fort; Callatar ; Amur; Puliydr; 



Chembur ; Utthi Kddu ; Kaliy am ; Venguna ; Icdttukottai ; Paduvur. 

 While they were ruling, there was a commerce carried on by ships. 

 As the merchants of Cdveripdm-patnam sought trading intercourse 

 with them, the Curumbars built the following forts (stations) for trade : 

 Patti-pulam; Sdla-cupam ; Sala-pdkam ; Meyur ; Cddalur ; ALm- 

 pari ; Maracandm ; whence, by means of merchants from Cdveri pum* 

 patnam, and the Curumbar, a commercial intercourse by vessels was 

 carried on. They nourished in consequence ; and while without any 

 religion, a Jaina ascetic came, and turned them to the Jaina credence. 

 The Basti which the Pural king built after the name of that ascetic, is 

 still remaining together with other Basti and some Jaina images in 

 different places ; but some are dilapidated, and some destroyed by the 

 hatred of the Brdhmans. They were similar to the Jainas of the 

 present day ; they were shepherds, weavers, lime-sellers, traders. While 

 living thus, various kings of civilized countries made inroads upon them . 

 as the Chola, the Pandiya kings, and others ; and, being a wild peo- 

 ple, who cared not for their lives, they successfully resisted their invaders 

 and had some of the invading chiefs imprisoned in fetters, in front of 

 the Pural fort. Besides they constrained all young people to enter the 

 Jaina religion ; in consequence of which vexation, a cry arose in the 

 neighbouring countries. At length Adondai, of Tanjore, formed the 

 design of subduing them ; and, invading them, a fierce battle was 

 fought in front of the Pural fort in which the Curumba king's troops 

 fought and fell with great bravery, and two-thirds of Adondai's army 

 was cut up. He retreated to a distance, overwhelmed with grief, and 

 the place where he halted is still called Cholan pedu. While thinking 

 of returning to Tanjore, Siva that night appeared to him, in a dream, 

 and promised him victory over the Curumbas, guaranteed by a sign. 

 The sign occurred, and the Curumba troops were the same day routed 

 with great slaughter. The king was taken ; the Pural fort was thrown 

 down ; and its brazen (or bell-metal) gate was fixed in front of the 

 shrine at Tanjore. A temple was built where the sign occurred, and a 

 remarkable pillar of the fort was fixed there : the place is called Tiru 

 muli vasal. A sort of commemorative ceremony is practised there. 

 After a little more fighting, the other forts were taken, and the Curum- 

 bas destroyed. Adondai placed the Velazhar, as his deputed autho- 

 rities ; having called them into the country to supply the deficiency of 

 inhabitants, from the Tuluva desam (modern Canara). They are call- 



