CHENNAI: An ancient tin coin discovered by a numismatist could be a fresh evidence of Jallikattu, a traditional sport of taming bulls, being popular in Tamil Nadu, even during the Sangam age.
R Krishnamurthy, president of the South Indian Numismatic Society, said the imprints on a side of the tin coin resembled a image of a man attempting to tame a bull. “This side of the coin was worn out and unclear. But a detailed examination shows a man attempting to tame a bull. So, Jallikattu could have been a popular sport even in the Sangam age,” he said.
He estimated that the coin belongs to third or fourth century BC. Since the coin was made on tin, which was then available only in South-East Asian countries, it suggested that Tamil traders were active in international trading during the period. “The Korkai Port (which now comes under Thoothukudi district) was a very popular trade hub. The traders must have sailed to Eastern countries to procure goods. So, during such travels, they must have brought the tin, that is naturally available in countries like Indonesia and Thailand,” he said. On the other side of the coin, there is a craving of a bull facing left and the name ‘Maran’ is imprinted in the Tamil-Brahmi script.
The word “Ra” has been printed above the bull and it is seen sliding from left to right. “This should have been in standing position. But they have printed in lying position because of lack of space. It is Tamil Brahmi,” Krishnamurthy said.
The letter “N” is also in Tamil Brahmi. “They together connote the word Maran,” he said. The name Maran was often referred in ancient Tamil literature Purananooru.
Since the coin did not have the fish symbol, which denotes the Madurai Pandiyas, this coin could have been made by Korkai Pandiyas, he reasoned.