Sangam period

Beyond doubt the Tamil Sangam literature is the main source of historical material for this study. Munnur and its surrounding places were come under Tondaimandalam administrative division. The name Tondaimandalam was perhaps given to this territorial division when it was conquered by one Tondaimandala Elantiraiyan. This Elantiraiyan began to rule Kanchipuram was a contemporary of Karikala of the Sangam Chola kingdom. From the expression of Tondaimandala Elantiraiyan it is infer that a small territorial division was known as Tondaimandalam. This name became more popular and widely known by the people even during the time of Karikala.

The Sangam classic work mentioned Eyirpattinam one of the important harbors of the ancient Tamilaham. This Eyirpattinam is also recognized as one of the busiest harbour during the Sangam age. Besides this Eyirpattinam mentioned in Sangam classical literature is identified with modern Marakkanam. Scholars are also of opinion that Eyirpattinam and Marakkanam are to be same. The reason for the present name Marakkanam is that the coastal area is fully filled with trees and plants, so it is been named as Marakkanam meaning dence forest full of trees. This Marakkanam is situated 16 km from Munnur. Here the reference mentioned in the foreign accounts of periplus tally with the existence of the place.

The location of Marakkanam along with Munnur proves that these places were once flourishing and prosperous human habitations in the division of Oima Nadu, and it is a testiomony for the existence of the harbour Marakkanam and the neighbouring villages including Munnur the pioneer among the human habitations of this region. In addition to that Periplus15 the Greek traveler makes mentioned Sopadma a commercial trade harbor of the ancient Tamils. This harbor has been identified with modern Marakkanam which was a trade centre during the ancient period, and it is been said that located between Kamara and Pudukayai. The place Kamara is identified with Chennai and Pudukkaiya is identified with Pondicherry. Therefore taken into account this expression Sopadma i.e., present Marakkanam is located between Chennai and Puducherry on the eastern coastal line.

The historical sources state that this place is been used as the harbor for a short period of time and it is been destroyed in due course due to coastal thunder. Earthen mount is been found even now in this place and so it is been said that in past this was been used as a harbor. It inferred that Marakkanam and nearby villages including Munnur were existed during the second century A.D. Sirubanatrupadai^[1] is also mentioned Marakkanam as a trade centre. The same is also been identified and located in Oima Nadu territorial subdivision. It is been ruled by the King Nalliyakodan. Sirubanarrupadai^[2] also makes mention that one Sirubanan wanted to get rewards from the Sangam Philanthropist Nalliyakodan who was the patron of scholars the feudatory of the Sangam Cholas. This feudatory had his sway over Oima Nadu and Idaikazhi Nadu territorial subdivisions which include the present Tindivanam taluk and some parts of Villupuram district.

Nadu Nadu is one of the parts of Thondaimandalam. Malai Nadu and Oima Nadu are the limited areas of their rule which is been found with the source of inscriptions. Nadu Nadu at present consists of Tindivanam, Gingee, Villupuram, Puducherry, Kallakuruchi, Thirukovilur, Sangarapuram, Ulundurpettai, Vannur and Kalvarayan hill. From it is clear that Munnur the village existed during the sangam age.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

M. Arunachalam, The Kalabhras in the Pandiya country and their impact on the life and letters there, Madras, 1979 P.15.

[2]:

Unpublished Inscription., See Appendix, No. 1.