What is the History of Korkai Civilisation Restored by Tamil Nadu CM M.K.Stalin?

Korkai is located in the Thoothukudi district in Eral village at least 25 km away from the Tiruchendur road. Recently, the CM talked about the upliftment and restoration of civilisation. The city was a trade city during the Sangam period. Whereas, the Cholas build a port in the city citing its less distance from the sea.

Finding its history in the epic literature of the Kannagi period, the Korkai was known to have an abundant amount of pearls. It was found that people took bath in pearls. The quality of the pearl was so good that it was worn by Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen. Citing the golden history associated with the Kannagi civilisation, the Tamil Nadu government has embarked on the quest of searching for its trace.

CM Stalin Allots 15 Crores for Kannagi Civilisation

MK Stalin, CM of Tamil Nadu has allotted 15 crores for the research regarding the Kannagi civilisation. The National Institute of Marine Technology has started searching the Sagar Dara for any crucial findings. Apart from this, pre-excavation is also conducted in the 13 km sea area from Thoothukudi port to Tiruchendur.

Talking to the media, the minister said that the authorities have also conducted excavation earlier also. During that, the researchers found that trade was conducted on the banks of the Ganga from countries like Rome and Sri Lanka. Apart from this, Korkai was also a trading town before the 8th century BC said Minister Thangam Thennarasu.

M Karunanidhi Contribution to Poompuhar

Former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was also keen to give an artistic form to the Kannagi architecture. The CM was reluctant to offer an epic scene of 'Silapathikaram'. He tried to give sculptural form to all the historical like Govalan and Kannagi. It was the efforts of M Karunanidhi that helped transform the epic literature of the state into visual. He was the first person who wanted to bring all the findings to the notice of the public.

Findings During the Excavation in Korkai

It has been noted that around 812 objects were found during the excavation of Korkai. Things like conch bangles, stone beads, iron fragments, copper bangles, filtering pipe, Gangetic plain pottery, Egyptian pottery, and Chinese pottery have been found in the excavation at Korkai.

Apart from this, brick construction and a two-story brick storage tank were also available. Similar constructions have been found earlier in Keezhadi, Poompuhar, and Arikamedu. Citing all of these, CM Stalin is willing to carry out research under the sea to trace more about the 3000-year-old civilisation that has submerged under the sea. Earlier in 1968, the government conducted the first research in Korkai. During the research, a brick structure with a depth of two and a half feet was found. Additionally, a construction consisting of nine floors along with brick and flint castings were also found.

What is the History of Korkai?

Korkai was located in the Thoothukudi district of the Tamil Nadu state. One can reach the city after traveling 25 km on the Tiruchendur road. Korkai is thought to be the area where the 'Thanporunai' civilization used to be. In today's context, Thanporunai is Thamiraparani.

Earlier, Korkai was ruled by a king named 'Vetrivel chezhiyan'. However, when Kannagi came from Poompuhar with a chilambu he demanded justice and burned Madurai. The primary reason for this fire was the wrong information given by a goldsmith that lead to the massacre of 1000 blacksmiths who lived in his country. During the Sangam period, each king had two capitals. Vanchi and Mushiri to the Chola king. Popular was the residence of the Chola king. The Pandya king had Madurai and Korkai.

Kannagi temple

Kannaki temple was also situated in Korkai. Even today people believe that the pond here was known as 'Kannimar Kuttam' that translates to 'King's Bath. The maritime document Periplus of the Erythraean Sea refers to Colchi as Korkai. It was first excavated by Caldwell in 1876. He published this study in the journal The Indian Antiquary said researcher Selvakumar. The Tamil Nadu government has embarked on the task of investigating the civilization of the Tamils, which has been dismissed as 'epic-fantasy', and proving that 'all the data is true through excavations in the world arena.