Satyaputra

Satyaputra was a small kingdom situated on the eastern valley of Malaya Mountains of the Western Ghats (Anamala, Palani and Nilagiri). Satyaputras refer to the ruling tribe whose kingdom comprised these areas during the early period of the history of Tamil Nadu.

Satyaputras ruled parts of the Kongu country and were surrounded by the Cheras to the west and the Pandyas and Cholas to the east. They were mentioned in the Puranas as well as in ancient Tamil literature. Satyaputras also find mention in the Edicts of Asoka.

It is evident from the Gummireddipura plates that Satyaputra is none other than the famous Adigaman dynasty.

Identifying with Adigaman

The identity of the Satyaputras has long been an unanswered question in the history of Tamil Nadu. In a Tamil-Brahmi inscription found at Jambai, in the South Arcot district of Tamil Nadu, has given some clues to the identity of the Satyaputras.

"SATIYAPUTO ATIYAN NETUMAN ANCI CEYIVITTA PALI" - This record settles the issue of who the Satyaputras, mentioned by Asoka, were. That they were the Atiyamans, a feudatory chiefs mentioned in the Sangam classics is beyond doubt. [ [http://tamilartsacademy.com/articles/article25.xml Asoka and the Tamil Country: The Evidence Of Archaeology] - Dr. R. Nagasamy, Tamil Arts Academy ] The inscription assignable to first century CE, mentions the Atiya Chief Nedumam Anci, a hero celebrated in the Sangam classics.

It is known that Asoka, mentions Satyaputras in his inscriptions along with the Cholas, Pandyas and Kerala putras. The Satyaputras wielded sufficient power in the time of Asoka (3rd century BCE) almost on par with the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas.

However the Atiyaman, mentioned in the Jambai record is assignable to first century CE, and probably was a descendent of the dynasty. [ Dr. R. Nagasamy, Asoka and the Tamil Country: The Evidence Of Archaeology] The inscription records the endowment of a cave-shelter by the chieftain Atiyan Netuman Anci who sports the title Satiyaputo. The inscription gives the name of his clan (Atiyan), of his father (Netuman) and of himself (Anci). This clear statement enables researchers with absolute certainty, to identify a chieftain mentioned in the Tamil Sangam literature with a personage figuring in a Tamil-Brahmi inscription. [ I. Mahadevan, RECENT DISCOVERIES OF JAINA CAVE INSCRIPTIONS IN TAMILNADU ] The inscription attributed to a period later than the Mauryan emperor Asoka (304 BC–232 BCE), reads: "Satiyaputo Atiyan Nedumaan Anjji itta Paali" ('The abode given by Atiyan Nedumaan Anji, the Satyaputra').

Scholars have connected this short epigraph with the more famous Asokan inscription mentioning the southern kingdoms outside the Asokan empire, which reads: :"Ye Ca anta ata Choda, Pandiya, Satiyaputo, Ketalaputo, Tam bapanni, Antiyogo naama, Yonalaja":Everywhere in the conquered dominions of king Priyadarsin, the beloved of the gods, and the dominions on the borders as those of the Chola, the Pandya, the Satiyaputra, the Cheralaputra, Tamraparni, the Yavana King named Antiyoka and the other neighbouring kings of this Antiyoka...

See also

* History of Tamil Nadu
* Kingdoms of Ancient India

Notes

References

* Sastri, K.A. Nilakanta, "A History of South India" (1955), OUP, New Delhi
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