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113992242-Dravidian-Settlements-in-Ceylon-and-the-Beginnings-of-the-Kingdom-of-Jaffna-By-Karthigesu-Indrapala-Complete-Phd-Thesis-University-of-London-1965

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215<br />

<strong>in</strong>scribed on one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pillars <strong>of</strong> a Buddhist temple which, <strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> op<strong>in</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> Paranavitana, was built <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> K<strong>and</strong>yan period<br />

(sixteenth to <strong>the</strong> eighteenth century) with <strong>the</strong> materials <strong>of</strong> an<br />

earlier build<strong>in</strong>g This earlier build<strong>in</strong>g was evidently <strong>the</strong><br />

Vikkirama-cal<strong>in</strong>ka-ivaram, which must have been ab<strong>and</strong>oned or<br />

destroyed after <strong>the</strong> aiva population <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area ceased to<br />

exist, probably as a result <strong>of</strong> assimilation to <strong>the</strong> S<strong>in</strong>halese<br />

Buddhist population. The present site <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>scription, which<br />

is only a mile north-west <strong>of</strong> modern Ngalla, must have formed<br />

part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ancient Mahgalla. Ano<strong>the</strong>r Tamil <strong>in</strong>scription,<br />

2<br />

dated A.D.11lS, comes from <strong>the</strong> same site. This epigraph records<br />

<strong>the</strong> settlement <strong>of</strong> a dispute between <strong>the</strong> blacksmiths <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

washermen <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> area over certa<strong>in</strong> privileges. The dispute was<br />

<strong>in</strong>quired <strong>in</strong>to <strong>and</strong> settled by <strong>the</strong> paca-pradhnis <strong>of</strong> VirabThu,<br />

<strong>the</strong> dipda <strong>of</strong> Dakkhiadesa. Among <strong>the</strong>se <strong>of</strong>ficers were also<br />

two Taniils, !kk]. jMcm Kaxavati <strong>and</strong> Vijayparaa. The important<br />

fact is that <strong>the</strong> settlement is recorded <strong>in</strong> Taniil. It was obviously<br />

meant for <strong>the</strong> benefit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> disput<strong>in</strong>g communities. It is<br />

reasonable to assume , <strong>the</strong>refore, that <strong>the</strong> members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />

1. III, .302.<br />

2. Ibid., pp.305-306.

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