https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Nalli_%28ruler%29Nalli (ruler) - Revision history2026-10-28T18:29:27ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nalli_(ruler)&diff=520145&oldid=prevMartiAshley1795: added2025-05-07T21:19:39Z<p>added</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Ruler in ancient Tamil country}}<br />
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{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}<br />
'''Nalli''' was a [[Velir]] ruler who ruled the Kandeera country and surrounding regions in ancient [[Tamilakam]] during the [[Sangam period]]. He is extolled for his benevolence, and is mentioned as one of the [[Last seven great patrons|kadai elu vallal]] (last seven great patrons) in [[Tamil literature]].<br />
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== Territory ==<br />
Nalli was a [[velir]] ruler in ancient [[Tamilakam]] during the [[Sangam period]]. He ruled over the hill country of Kandeera ([[:ta:கண்டீரம்|ta]]) and the surrounding regions in the [[Kongu Nadu|Kongu]] region of the ancient Tamil country.{{sfn|Jaganathan|1959|p=62}}<br />
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== Reign ==<br />
The [[Sangam literature]] gives some details of Nalli's reign. [[Ettuthokai]] text ''[[Kurunthokai]]'' describes him as having a powerful army of [[chariots]].{{sfn|Sudaroli|2019|p=4}} Another Sangam text ''[[Purananuru]]'' narrates his victory over other Velir kings in various battles.{{sfn|Sudaroli|2019|p=5}} <br />
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== Patronage ==<br />
Nalli is mentioned as one of the [[Last seven great patrons|kadai elu vallal]] (last seven great patrons) in [[Sangam literature]] such as ''[[Ciṟupāṇāṟṟuppaṭai|Sirupanaatruppadai]]'', and ''Purananuru''.{{sfn|Sudaroli|2019|p=1}}{{sfn|Jaganathan|1959|p=4-5}}<ref name="Tamilvu">{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilvu.org/ta/courses-degree-d011-d0113-html-d0113334-18874|title=Last seven great patrons|lang=ta|work=[[Tamil Virtual University]]|access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref> Sangam poetess [[Avvaiyar (Sangam poet)|Avvaiyar]] also lists him as one of the great patrons in one of her poems.{{sfn|Cuppiramaṇiyan|Tirunavukkaracu|1983|p=256}} ''Sirupanaatruppadai'' describes that he patronised many poets, and singers in his court, and usually showered them with various gifts.{{sfn|Sudaroli|2019|p=4}} He has been singed upon by various Sangam poets such as Vanparanar ([[:ta:வன்பரணர்|ta]]), Kakaipadiniyar ([[:ta:காக்கை பாடினியார் நச்செள்ளையார்|ta]]), and Perunthalai Sathanar ([[:ta:பெருந்தலைச்சாத்தனார்|ta]]).{{sfn|Jaganathan|1959|p=61-64}}<br />
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Vanparanar narrates an incident from Nalli's lifetime. When Nalli went for hunting in the forests, he came across a tired ascetic wandering in the forests. He gave the ascetic food and water, and later, on knowing about his poverty, he donated the jewels he was wearing.{{sfn|Jaganathan|1959|p=61}} The ascetic had no knowledge that Nalli was the king of the country, and blessed him.{{sfn|Jaganathan|1959|p=62}} Kakaipadiniyar narrates that Nalli maintained many [[cows]] in his country. In a reference to this, she describes the [[ghee]] obtained from the [[cow milk|milk]] of these cows.{{sfn|Jaganathan|1959|p=63}} Perunthalai Sathanar describes Nalli's benevolence and his patronage of poets while narrating an incident involving Nalli's brother Ilankandeeran.{{sfn|Jaganathan|1959|p=64}}<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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=== Bibliography ===<br />
* {{cite book|last1=Cuppiramaṇiyan|first1=C.V.|last2=Tirunavukkaracu|first2=K.T.|title=Historical Heritage of the Tamils|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies|year=1983|url=https://archive.org/details/lLXZ_historical-heritage-of-the-tamils-edited-by-s-v-subrahmanian-and-k-d-thirunavukk/page/256/mode/2up}}<br />
* {{cite book|last=Jaganathan|first=K.V.|title=Elu perum vallalgal|trans-title=Seven great patrons|lang=ta|year=1959|publisher=Amutha Nilayam|url=https://www.tamilvu.org/library/nationalized/pdf/92-ki.va.ja/7peruvallalkal.pdf}}<br />
* {{cite journal|last=Sudaroli|first=P.|title=Kadai elu vallalgal|trans-title=Last seven great patrons|lang=ta|journal=Shanlax|url=https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/pdf/TS/V3N3/ts_v3_n3_i2_023.pdf|volume=3|issue=3|date=January 2019|issn=2454-3993|pages=116–120}}<br />
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{{Last seven great patrons}}<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
[[Category:Kadai ezhu vallal]]<br />
[[Category:Indian philanthropists]]<br />
[[Category:Tamil monarchs]]</div>MartiAshley1795