KRISHNAGIRI: Four Jewish merchant guilds had come together to finance construction of a hall at the Thanthondreeswarar temple (Lord Shiva temple) at Anandur near Pochampally in Krishnagiri district, say historians citing a 13th century Tamil stone inscription discovered from the premises recently.The inscription was unearthed when villagers cleared the bushes around the temple and informed the Krishnagiri Historical Research and Documentation Society, the District Government Museum and the state archaeology department. Researchers examined the stone and confirmed its association with Jewish trading groups.The inscription mentions four guilds —Soothakar, Mandala Merchants, Tennilankai Valanjiyar and Egu Nutruvar — who jointly financed the construction of the hall.Historians say the Anandur inscription is significant as it points to the presence of Jewish merchant groups in Tamil Nadu, their collaboration with local guilds, and the role of temples as centres of both spiritual and economic activity. It adds a crucial piece to the understanding of medieval global trade and cultural exchange.C Govindaraj, Tamil Nadu Archaeological Society secretary and retired curator Krishnagiri Government Museum, noted that Jews had settled in Kerala’s Kochi a thousand years ago. “The discovery at Anandur temple coincides with the period of the Crusades in Europe when Jews, after being expelled from their land, migrated to coastal cities in Asia and Africa, working as artisans, dyers, farmers and merchants,” he said. “Anandur inscription shows their integration into south Indian trade networks,” he added.A similar Jewish trade inscription was discovered in Valantharavai in Ramanathapuram district a few years ago.Anandur’s inscription connected Thagadur in Dharmapuri district to the naval thavalam – an ancient historical halting place or transit station mentioned in old milestone inscriptions linked to the historic “Adhiyaman Peruvazhi” trade route from the Chola period. Merchant inscriptions and ear stones found along this route confirm its importance. “Naval thavalam has been identified as Bhoothalapattu in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, highlighting the interconnected commercial geography of the region,” Govindaraj said.Earlier finds at the Thanthondreeswarar temple include merchant inscriptions and three central stones from the Kulothungan Chola period.
