தமிழ் இலக்கியங்கள் மற்றும் தொல்லியல் சான்றுகள் வழி புகார்ப் பெயராராய்ச்சி

Study of the Place Name 'Poompuhar' Through Tamil Literature and Archaeological Evidence

Abstract

Kaveripoompattinam flourished as a world-class port and a major commercial metropolis of the Chola Empire in ancient Tamilakam. The objective of this paper is to comprehensively examine the origin of this city's name, its linguistic evolution, literary records, and modern archaeological-maritime discoveries.

Through the linguistic theory of 'Specialization of Meaning' (Restriction of Meaning), this paper explains how 'Puhar'—originally a generic term for a river mouth—evolved over time into a specific proper noun designating Kaveripoompattinam. Furthermore, this study compares the historical myths behind alternative names such as Kaveripoompattinam, Sampapathi, and Kakanthi as depicted in Sangam literature, the Five Great Epics, and Buddhist Jataka tales, alongside names like 'Kamara' and 'Kaberis' found in the accounts of foreign travelers.

Finally, through recent underwater excavations, carbon dating methods, and satellite-based geomorphological data, the multi-millennial antiquity of Puhar and its destruction by marine transgression (tsunami/sea floods) are scientifically established.