Ay Andiran

Ay Andiran
Ruler of the Ays
Reignfl. 2nd century AD[1]
HouseAy dynasty
ReligionHinduism

Ay Andiran (fl. 2nd century AD[1]) was a velir or hill chieftain of the Ay dynasty who ruled over the Pothigai Hills and the surrounding regions, including the south-western Malabar Coast, of the Tamil country in southern India during the early historic period.[2][3][4] He was an elder contemporary of the Chera ruler Anthuvan Cheral (dated to c. 140 CE).[1]

In the Sangam Literature (the early historic Tamil corpus), particularly in Purananuru (quatrain 128) and Kurunthokai (quatrain 84), he is mentioned as the Lord of the Pothigai Hills (or the Pothiyil-malai) in the Western Ghats.[2][3][4] His headquarters was probably located at Aykudi in the Western Ghats.[5] He is extolled in Sangam poetry for his benevolence toward poets, musicians, and dancing girls[2] and is counted among the Last Seven Great Patrons (Kadai Ezhu Vallal) .[6][2]

Reign

In Sangam Literature, Ay Andiran is portrayed as a ruler who held dominion over the Pothigai Hills in the southern stretches of the Western Ghats — densely forested and rich in elephants — which he employed extensively in warfare.[5][2][3] The luxurious "palace" of Ay Andiran is also described in Purananuru (quatrain 127).[2]

Poems praising Andiran, composed by the poet Uraiyur Eniseri Mudamosiyar, feature in Purananuru (quatrain 127-135 and 241).[7] He is also mentioned by poets such as Paranar (Akananuru 152 and 198), Mosi Kiran (Kurunthokai 84), Kavirippumpattinam Karikkannar (Natrinai 237), Umathur Kizhar Parangotranar (Akananuru 69), Thuraiyur Odai Kizhar (Purananuru 136), and in Sirupanatruppadai (lines 96-99).[8][2] In Akananuru (quatrain 15), his name appears alongside other minor Tamil rulers such as Nannan, Nalli, Pindan, and Thitthan Veliyan.[2]

Battle against the Kongu rulers

Purananuru (quatrain 129-130) mentions the battles Andiran fought against the rulers of the Kongu country (present-day western Tamil Nadu). The Kongars (the people of the Kongu country) are described as launching an attack on Andiran's territory with a large force of spearmen.[9] The poems recount that Andiran deployed his elephant corps, defeated the invaders, and drove them back toward "the western sea".[2][10]

Patronage

Andiran is celebrated as one of the Last Seven Great Patrons (Kadai Ezhu Vallal) in the Sangam Collections such as Sirupanatruppadai and Purananuru.[11][12][13] He extended generous patronage to poets and singers in his court, rewarding them with elephants, horses, and chariots.[3][2] The poet Mosiyar's songs repeatedly praise the wealth of Andiran's land and his acts of generosity.[7]

On one occasion, a "blue naga" is said to have visited Andiran and gifted him a fine cloth. The naga explained that he had obtained the cloth through penance and that whoever wore it would be blessed with prosperity and long life.[2][14] Believing it improper for a mortal to retain a divine gift, Andiran accepted the cloth as a gesture of respect but later dedicated it to the god Shiva (the Al-mara-selvan) at a temple.[15][2][6]

Death

The death of Ay Andiran is mentioned by poets Kuttuvan Kiranar and Mosiyar in Purananuru (quatrains 240 and 241; respectively). Kiranar records that Andiran’s wives immolated themselves on his funeral pyre.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Sastri 1957, p. 517–18 and 527-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Sastri 1957, p. 527-28.
  3. ^ a b c d Jagannathan 1959, p. 53.
  4. ^ a b Sudaroli 2019, p. 5.
  5. ^ a b Sudaroli 2019, p. 4.
  6. ^ a b Krishnan & Udayakumar 1996, p. 97.
  7. ^ a b Jagannathan 1959, p. 54.
  8. ^ Sastri 1957, p. 527.
  9. ^ Jagannathan 1959, p. 56.
  10. ^ Jagannathan 1959, p. 57.
  11. ^ Sudaroli 2019, p. 1.
  12. ^ Jagannathan 1959, p. 4.
  13. ^ Duraiarasan 2016.
  14. ^ Jagannathan 1959, p. 58.
  15. ^ Jagannathan 1959, p. 59.

Bibliography

  • Duraiarasan, K., ed. (2016). "Last Seven Great Patrons". Tamil Virtual Academy (in Tamil). Chennai: Government of Tamil Nadu.
  • Jagannathan, K. V. (1959). Ezhu Peruvallalgal [Seven Great Patrons] (PDF) (in Tamil). Chennai: Amutha Nilayam.
  • Krishnan, S. N.; Udayakumar, P. (1996). "Ay Andiran". Encyclopaedia of Tamil Literature (PDF). Vol. III. Madras: Institute of Asian Studies.
  • Raju, S. (1983). "The Chieftains of the Sangam Age". In Subramanian, S. V.; Thirunavukkarasu, K. D. (eds.). Historical Heritage of the Tamils. Madras: International Institute of Tamil Studies.
  • Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta (1957). Comprehensive History of India, Vol. 2: The Mauryas and Satavahanas. Bombay: Orient Longman.
  • Sudaroli, P. (January 2019). "Kadai Elu Vallalgal" [Last Seven Great Patrons] (PDF). Shanlax (in Tamil). 3 (3): 116–120. ISSN 2454-3993. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2019.
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