Inscriptions of Ashoka The
Maurya emperor
Ashoka (3rd century BCE) mentions the Athiyaman dynasty—as the Sathiyaputhras—in his inscriptions, alongside the
Cholas,
Pandyas, and
Cheras (referred to as the Keralaputhras). This suggests that the Athiyamans held significant importance in south India during Ashoka's time, on par with the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas.
Jambai inscription A
Tamil-Brahmi inscription, generally dated to the 1st century CE, found at
Jambai in
Tirukkoyilur,
Viluppuram district (formerly
South Arcot) in
Tamil Nadu, refers to the Athiyaman dynasty as the Sathyaputhras. The inscription records the endowment of a cave-shelter by the ruler Athiyan Neduman Anchi, who bears the title "Sathiyaputho". It provides the names of his dynasty ("Athiyan"), his father ("Neduman"), and himself ("Anchi"). The Athiyan ruler Neduman Anchi mentioned in the inscription is also referenced in
early historic Tamil works such as
Purananuru and
Akananuru.'''' The discovery of this inscription enabled historians to identify the title "Athiyaman", found in
early Tamil literature, with the "Sathiyaputras" mentioned in Ashoka's inscriptions. The Gummireddipura plates also mention the Sathyaputhra Adigaman dynasty. == See also ==