jan. — mar. 1858.] Numismatic Gleanings, 245 



Puralur, the royal fort, Callatur, Amur, Puliyur, Chembur, Utthikadu, 

 Kaliyam, Venguna, Icattukottai, Padavur. While they were ruling, there 

 was a commerce carried on by ships. As the merchants of Caveripum- 

 patnam sought trading intercourse with them, the Curimbas built the fol- 

 lowing forts (stations) for trade : Patti-pulam, Sala-cupam,* Sala-pakam, 

 Meyur, Cadalur, Alampari, Maracanam ; whence, by means of merchants 

 from Caveripum-patnam and the Curumbar, a commercial intercourse by 

 vessels was carried on. They flourished in consequence ; and while with- 

 out any religion, a Jaina (Buddhist) asceticf 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 Bastis, and 

 some Jaina images in different places ; but some are dilapidated and some 

 destroyed, by the hatred of the Brahmans. 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 in- 

 roads upon them, as the Chola and Pandiya kings, and others ; and being 

 a wild people 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 Adondais' 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 occur- 

 red ; 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 fight- 

 ing, the other forts were t-aken, and the Curumbas destroyed. Adondai 

 placed the VellazharJ as his deputed aurhorities ; having called them 



* Sala-cupam now Salvan-cupam near the Seven Pagodas, Cadalur is the 

 modern Cuddalore of our maps, Alampari is Alamparva. — W. E. 

 t Probably one of Asokas Buddhist Missionaries.— W. E. 

 X The Vellalar or Yellazhar are still said to be of foreign origin and are also 



