Vatteluttu Inscriptions
Vatteluttu Inscriptions are inscriptions in the Vatteluttu script, a rounded variant of the Tamil script used in South India from the 8th to 12th centuries CE.
Overview
Vatteluttu (meaning “rounded writing”) was the predominant script for writing Tamil in the Pandya and Chera kingdoms. Inscriptions in this script are found across Tamil Nadu and Kerala, documenting religious, commercial, and political activities of the period.
Historical Context
The Vatteluttu script evolved from earlier Tamil scripts and was used from approximately the 8th to 12th centuries CE. It was the official script of the Pandya dynasty and was used extensively in the Chera kingdom (Kerala). The script gradually gave way to the modern Tamil script.
Features/Significance
Vatteluttu inscriptions are found on stone, copper plates, and palm-leaf manuscripts. They document temple grants, land donations, royal decrees, and commercial transactions. The script’s rounded characters distinguish it from the more angular Tamil Brahmi and Grantha scripts.
Modern Status
Vatteluttu inscriptions are studied by epigraphers to understand medieval South Indian history. Many inscriptions are preserved in museums and university collections across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Verification Notes
- Used from approximately 8th to 12th centuries CE
- Found primarily in Tamil Nadu and Kerala
- Distinctive rounded characters