36 



ANTIQUITIES OF MAMANDUR 



IT. 



ANTIQUITIES OF MAMANDUR IN NORTH 

 ARCOT DISTRICT. 



Six miles south of Conjeveram is the village of Mamandur, in 

 the Arcot Taluk of North Arcot, chiefly known in connection 

 with its large and picturesque tank, which irrigates the lands 

 of seventeen villages in addition to those of Mamandur itself. 

 From the surface of the level plain which forms the Taluk 

 of Arcot, and extends into the neighbouring district of 

 Chingleput, rises a small cluster of granite hills composed, for 

 the most part, of boulders heaped upon one another in wild 

 confusion. The principal elevations of this group have been 

 linked together by an earthen rampart, and a large tank has 

 thus been formed. From the surface of the waterspread, 

 which, when the tank is full, covers about eight square 

 miles, rise a number of rocky islets frequented during the 

 cold season by flocks of water-fowl. The Yellore hills, with 

 the Jewadies behind them, form a charming background in 

 the distant west, and Mamandur would be worth a visit on 

 account of its natural beauties, even if it possessed no other 

 attractions. 



But what makes the place chiefly interesting is probably 

 known but to a few : and a description of the antiquities to 

 be found here may be found not uninteresting. They consist 

 of rock-cut chambers, dolmens of a somewhat peculiar 

 construction, and inscriptions upon rock and stone which are 

 more or less ancient. 



