Paranthaga Chola-era hero stone discovered in Tiruvannamalai

Referring to the stone, Dr A Sudhakar, a member of the Centre for Historical Research, said that the stone measured six feet in height and three feet in width. It depicts a warrior looking to the left and holds a dagger in his right hand to stab the rider of the horse, who’s bridle he holds with his left hand.

The warrior, who is portrayed with ears bored and big rings, has a multi ringed turban. Wearing a dhoti in a traditional and warfare-style above his knees, the warrior also is found with a belt on his abdomen, he added.

Sudhakar said that the stone belonged to the period of Paranthaga Chola of the 10 century. The inscriptions on the stone suggest that a warrior was given land in Kilkalambadi (present day Karikialambadi) for his valorous deeds by one Kammapadiwarayar of the area.

Dr Sudhakar said that though finding hero stones were common in the district, this was the first time that one with such graphic details has been discovered in the area.

“Further study of the stone is under way,” he said.