User:Piorajasekar/sandbox

The term "Valanjiyar" in the inscription Dr. Gundert has rendered the word valanjiyam by curved sword (or dagger)" refers to Dr. Gundert's translation of a specific term, where he interprets "valanjiyam" to mean a curved sword or dagger. This translation is a part of linguistic and historical analysis.

According to Viraraghava copper plates, Valanjiyam Means "Trade" and "Trade Rights".

Where the term "vaļamjiyar" of 18 District is explained to mean 'feudal barons.' in some inscription from

Furthermore, an unpublished Tamil inscription obtained by Dr. Hultzsch from Mr. Bell, C.C.S., Archæological Commissioner of Ceylon, suggests that the term "vajanjeyar" likely denotes a corporation comprising various classes of merchants.

In the "Epigraphia Carnataca," a mutilated Tamil inscription (Malavalli Taluk, No. 74) shares similarities with the Ceylon inscription mentioned earlier, even though it doesn't explicitly contain the term "vaļañjiyar." However, it does share comparable phrases. Mr. Rice, in his publication "Mysore Inscriptions," presents three Kanarese inscriptions from Baligâmi (Nos. 38, 55, and 56), alluding to the same merchant corporation. The descriptions of the guild in these inscriptions align with the Ceylon inscription but offer more intricate details.

In one of the inscriptions (No. 38), the members are referred to as protectors of the "vira-balaūji" rights. In the second (No. 55), they are identified as 'baṇañjigas' and are said to follow the 'baṇanju dharma.' The title "manigára" is affixed to the names of four of the merchants (setti) who, at the time of the inscription, were members of the guild. This name "maṇigára" is likely connected to the "Manigramam" mentioned in our grant. The third inscription from Baligami designates the guild members as protectors of the "vira-baṇañju dharma."

In these inscriptions, a comprehensive list of the various classes of merchants forming the guild is also provided. Notably, "banajiga" in Kanarese and "balija" or "balijiga" in Telugu carry similar meanings, denoting a particular class of merchants. It is likely that the terms "vaļañjiyam," "vaļañjiyar," "balañji," "baṇañji," "baṇañjiga," and "balija" are cognate and derived from the Sanskrit "vanij," suggesting that "valañjiyam" probably signifies 'trade.' There's a possibility that "Kaduttu" is a mistake for "kadattu," and if this correction is accepted, "kaḍattu valañjiyam" would likely mean 'trade.'