Chola-period inscriptions found in Tiruvannamalai

Stone inscriptions related to water management in the Cholas period were found in Meyyanur and in Thandarai in Kilpennathur taluk in the district. These inscriptions confirm that the Cholas implemented early forms of public welfare projects.

The inscription was found during the research carried out by S Balamurugan, C Palaniswamy, Bharathiraja, N Sridhar, Madhan Mohan and Chitringoor Raja from the Tiruvannamalai district historical research centre.
The inscription found in Meyyanur is dated back to 12 – 13th century, while the inscription found in Thandarai dated to the fourth regnal year of Vikrama Chola (1122 AD).

Thoombus are structures used during the Chola period to release irrigation water from a reservoir. On the Meyyanur inscription, it is written, ‘This was made by Arunkundra kizhan Ponnambalakkuthan.’ This shows the water management techniques and public welfare philosophies of that period.

In the inscriptions found in Thandarai, details about the thoombu constructed by Sangiyammudaiyan Thiruvandēvan, and time‑markers for Vikrama Chola Devan were found.
This confirms that under the Chola administration, water-sharing projects for public welfare were technically advanced.

These inscriptions date back approximately 800 years. Researchers emphasize that documenting and preserving such historical evidence is extremely important for future generations.