Avalpoondurai Copperplate: A 400-year-old historical document that offers significant insights into Nadar history.

Introduction

The Avalpoondurai Copperplate is a significant historical document that provides valuable insights into the history of the Sanrors [note 1]. Engraved in the 17th-century, this copperplate is currently housed in the Sanror Hindu Monastery, located in Avalpoondurai, Erode district. The monastery has been diligently maintained by the Kongu Nadar community and Brahmins over several generations. This article, which is based on the research contribution of Mr. S. D. Nellai Nedumaran, seeks to explore and highlight the key historical information preserved in the Avalpoondurai Copperplate. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Ajith for contributing the image of the statue of Sella Muppan.

Historical Insights from the Avalpoondurai Sanror Copperplate

The Avalpoondurai copper plate offers the following historical insights into the Sanror clan:

1. The inscription identifies the Sanrors as belonging to the Aditha (Surya) and Chandra clans. This classification serves as critical evidence linking the Sanrors to the Muvendars, an ancient Tamil royal lineage [note 2].
2. The Sanrors are described as adhering to customs historically associated with Tamil royalty, such as the use of the white umbrella. These practices, documented in other Sanror records like the 17th-century Karumapuram copper plate, align with the traditions of Tamil royalty, such as the Cholas, Pandyas, and Velirs. During the reign of the Sethupathi kings, individuals were penalised through taxation for using white umbrellas.
3. The copper plate document reveals that during the 15th–16th centuries CE, when the Mavali Vanars governed territories along the Vaigai River, including Madurai and Ramanathapuram, the coastal inhabitants of that period were referred to by the title Mukkandan. The Mukkandans are a Nadar subsect.
4. The copper plate document states that the Sanrors were recognised as a royal lineage entitled to wear the sacred thread (or poonul). A statue of Sella Muppan, a Sanror hero depicted wearing the sacred thread, is preserved in the Anur Amman Temple.
5. The copper plate enumerates five traditional Sanror subdivisions: Kongan, Nadan, Maduraiyaan, Kaliyaniyan, and Eelan.
6. The copper plate affirms that the Sanrors maintained their elite standing by patronising Devaradiyars—temple dancers—a custom traditionally reserved for high-ranking communities.

The inscription identifies the Sanrors as belonging to the Aditha (Surya) and Chandra clans. This classification serves as critical evidence linking the Sanrors to the Muvendars, an ancient Tamil royal lineage.

Sanrors are the ancestors of the Nadars

Ancient Sanror palm leaf manuscripts and copper plate documents prove that the Sanrors are the ancestors of the Nadar community. For instance, the 17th-century Karumapuram copper plate refers to the Sanrors as Saana Kulam, meaning Saana clan in Tamil, and describes a member of the clan as Saana Kula Dheeran, which loosely translates to valiant hero of the Saana clan. The term Saana is the adjectival form of Sanar in Tamil and thus corroborates that the Sanrors are, in fact, the Sanars (Nadars)—as Saana serves as an epithet specifically referring to the Sanrors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Avalpoondurai Copperplate serves as a crucial artifact for understanding the historical and cultural significance of the Sanror community. It not only establishes their association with ancient Tamil royal traditions but also highlights their elite status through unique customs and titles. These historical insights contribute significantly to the broader understanding of Tamil history and the social dynamics of the period.

Notes

1. The terms Sanrar, Sanravar and Sanar are variants of the term Sanror. This is because of a common linguistic feature in Tamil. For instance, the word Kaṉṟu (meaning "calf") and its variant Kaṇṇu are essentially the same word with different pronunciations. The Nadars today were previously known as Sanars or Shanars.
2. The Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas were collectively known as the Muvendars.

See Also

• From oblivion to light: Reconstructing Nadar community's history through recently discovered ancient documents.
• Connecting the Dots: Understanding the Relationship Between the Noble Sanrors and the Nadar Community.
• Valangai Uyyakondar: A Forgotten Chola Clan Whose Heritage and History Connect to the Nadars of Today.
• Ezhunutruvars: Descendants of the Muvendar Lineage, Renowned for Their Role in Governance and Military Service.
• The Velirs and the Sanrors: Comprehending Their Shared Customs, Heritage, and Royal Legacy as Historically Related Clans.