Excavations at Alambarai

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The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology was started with aim of conservation and preservation of ancient monuments in Tamil Nadu and to conduct excavations at historical sites. With the motivation to bring out the cultural history of Tamil Nadu, it has identified and carried out excavation in various historical places. This department has so far excavated 37 sites and unearthed various artifacts.

In the year 2011 2012 this department carried out excavation at Alambarai in Kanchipuram District at a cost of Rs. 2.5 lakhs sanctioned by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Alambarai is a part of the Idaikkazhinadu (present Kadappakkam). There are remnants of the ruined fort which was probably built by Muhammedans during 17" C.E. In 1750 it was under the control of French. Alambarai fort is a protected monument by Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology. The Systematic Excavation was conducted within the premise of dilapilated Fort. During excavation antiquities pertaining to 18" C.E. were recovered from the laid trenches.

Alambarai (Lat. 12° 16' 30" N Long. 80° 1' 0" E), a village on the sea shore is situated 120 km south of Chennai on the East Coast Road. This village has been mentioned as 'Alamparva' and 'Alampuravi in the archival records. This village part of the 'Idaikkazhinadu (also called Kadappakkam), Cheyyur Taluk of Kanchipuram District. There are remnants of ruined fort which was probably built by Muhammadans during 17-18 CE. In 1750 it was under the control of French. This fort is on the seashore of the Bay of Bengal. Alambarai fort is a protected monument by Tamilnadu State Department of Archaeology.

In ancient days, the village was in the limits of Idaikkazhinadu. A poet of Sangam period (3 B.C.E-3 C.E) known as Idaikkazhinattu Nallur Nattattanar, author of Sirupanarruppadai hailed from this place". Sirupanarruppadai vividly describes about this region, people and their activities and also the surrounding places up to Kidangil(modern Tindivanam) the capital of Nalliyakkodan, who was one of the chieftain of Tamilnadu in Sangam period. Ancient port Sopatnam (i.e. Marakkanam) is very close to Alambarai.

An inscription of the 9" regnal year of Rajaraja-I (994 C.E.) from Vedal near Alambarai mentions Pallavan Idaikkazhinattukkon, the chieftain of this place. Rajadhiaraja-I inscriptions of the Vembanur' also mentions Idaikkazhinadu. The present Kadappakkam village was called as Idaikkazhinadu in sangam period. Hence, this place has continuous historic background from Sanagam period.

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