Proof of Tamil Language
Tamil is one of the longest-surviving classical languages in the world. These ancient inscriptions, palm leaf manuscripts and
carved scripts shows the richness of tamil language.
1st Century BCE
Rock-cavern inscription in Tamil-Brahmi Script
Jambai, Tiruvannamalai District
The inscription reads ”Satiyaputo Atiyan Netuman Anci itta Pali”
1st century BCE
Tamil-Brahmi Rock Bed Inscription
Sittannavasal,
Pudukkottai District
"Eruminatu kumul-ur piranta kavuti-i tenku-cirupocil ilayar ceyta atit-anam"
1st Century BCE
Personal Name in Tamil-Brahmi
Silver Ring From Karur
1st Century BCE
Peravatan
1st century CE
Black and Red Pottery
With Tamil-Brahmi Letters
Ramanathapuram District Nedunki
Teriruveli
2nd Century CE
Tamil-Brahmi Inscription, Madurai District
Line 1 - Iva kunratu uraiyul patantan eri aritan
Line 2 - Attuvayi aratta kayipan
2nd Century CE
Tamil-Brahmi Rock Bed Inscription
Arunattarmalai, Pugalur Near Karur
Line 1 Korrantai (I*) lava (n)
Line 2 munru
6th Century CE
Vattezhuthu Script on Red ware Potteries
Boluvampatti,Coimbatore District
Inscription says: Kuppaivitta Kula
6th Century CE
Vattezhuthu Script on Red ware Potteries
Boluvampatti,Coimbatore District
Inscription says: …rra Kotti
6th Century CE
Musical Notes in Grantha Script, Kudumiyanmalai, Pudukkottai District
7th century C.E
Musical instrument's name in Grantha Script
Parivadinida Kudimiyanmalai
7th Century CE
Sendan Maran’s Irrigation Inscription in Vattezhuthu Vaigai river bed, Madurai
7th Century CE
Inscription in Grantha Script, Mahendravarman, Pallava, Tiruchirappalli vambu , vuka , vvdapu
8th century C.E
Narasimha Pallava’s Inscription in Nagari Script, Saluvankuppam, Mamallapuram
8th century CE
Donative Inscription in Vattezhuthu , Pandya Maranjadaiyan Tiruttangal, Virudhunagar District
8th Century
Inscription in verse on a pillar, Tamil Script, Mutharaiyar chiefs, Sendalai, Thanjavur District.
9th century CE
Rajakesari (Peruvazhi) Highway inscription in both Tamil & Vattezhuthu (verse)
Sundaikamuthur,
Coimbatore District
9th Century CE
Inscription in Grantha Script, Mutharaiyar Chiefs
Sendalai, Thanjavur District.
9thCentury CE
Jain Sculptures with Inscriptions
in Vattezhuthu Script on either sides
Thirupparankunram, Madurai District
9th Century
Rock cut cave temple inscription in Tamil Script, 9th Century, Maranjadaiyan, Tirukkokarnam Pudukkottai District
10th Century CE
Inscription on Temple Base In Tamil Script, Early Chola , Kodumbalur, Pudukkottai District
13th Century CE
Atiyaman Peruvazhi,
Numerals are in Tamil Script and dots.
13th Century
Inscription In Tamil Script, Pandya, Pillamangalam, Sivaganga District
16th Century
16th Century Inscription in Later Tamil script,
Murugamangalam, Tiruvannamalai District
17th century CE
Inscribed miniature plough in private collection Chennai
17th Century CE
Inscription In Telugu Script locating the donation of a temple land, Kanchipuram
17th century CE
Copper plate inscription of Tirumalainayak, MaduraiDist.
17th Century
Labels of Nayak Paintings in Later Tamil script - Alakarkoil, Madurai District
19th century
19th century Tamil Script on Palm leaves
19th century
19th century palm leave manuscript, Kaumara vyakaranam , in Grantha script
/cen.jpg "Bilingual (Tamil & Chinese) inscription in China")
1203 (1281 CE)
Bilingual (Tamil & Chinese) inscription in China dated Saka era 1203 (1281 CE) Mentions the erection of deity Thirukkaniccuramudaiyar by one Sambandapperumal for the well being of Chinese emperor Cekacaikan Parman
/cen1.jpg "Bilingual (Tamil & Chinese) inscription in China")
1203 (1281 CE)
Bilingual (Tamil & Chinese) inscription in China dated Saka era 1203 (1281 CE) Mentions the erection of deity Thirukkaniccuramudaiyar by one Sambandapperumal for the well being of Chinese emperor Cekacaikan Parman
624 CE
Memorial for a hero and his dog, 624 CE, Eduttanur, Tiruvannamalai Dist
921 CE
Village Assembly Election (Kudavolai)
Parantakachola
921 CE, Uttaramerur,
Inscription In Tamil Script,
Kanchipuram District
929CE
Inscription In Tamil Script, Parantaka Chola 929CE, Gangaikondacholapuram,
Perambalur District
985-1012
Pillar Inscription (Broken to several pieces) in Grantha Script, Rajaraja I (985-1012) Rajaraja site museum, Thanjavur
1121CE
Inscription In Tamil Script, Vikkirama Chola, 1121CE, Sendalai, Thanjavur District
/1524 (1602 CE).jpg "Saka period inscribed Ayyanar idol")
1524 (1602 CE)
Saka year 1524 (1602 CE) inscribed Ayyanar idol, Thanjavur Dist.
1765 CE
Bilingual Inscription In Tamil and Telugu Scripts, 1765 CE, Nagappatinam
Rouletted ware (Indian imitation)
Tamil script inscription, Alagankulam, Ramanathapuram District. Camutaha
Tamil Scripts
Tamil Alphabets in Various Times
Temple Inscription
Tamil inscription in Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara mention its name as 'sri jagatoppa kandan perumpalli'
Tamil Scripts
Ancient Grantha script in modern form