In the ancient Tamil poem Pattinappalai (dated roughly between the 1st and 2nd century CE), there is a significant reference to a place called Kalagam (or Kazhagam). This is widely believed by historians and archaeologists to refer to Kedah in modern-day Malaysia.
This mention is one of the earliest literary evidences of the "Silk Road of the Sea" connecting South India with Southeast Asia.
The Reference in Pattinappalai
The poem, which primarily extols the Chola port of Puhar (Kaveripoompattinam), describes a bustling international market where goods from various regions were piled high. The specific line (approx. line 191) mentions:
"Kalagaththu-akkam" (Goods/produce from Kalagam)
This is listed alongside other luxury imports arriving at the Chola port, such as:
- Horses from across the seas (likely Arabia or Central Asia).
- Black pepper from the inland hills.
- Gems and gold from the northern mountains.
- Sandalwood and Eaglewood from the Western Ghats.
- Foodstuffs from Eelam (Sri Lanka).
Why Kalagam is identified as Kedah
The identification of Kalagam with Kedah (specifically the Bujang Valley) is based on several linguistic and historical threads:
- Etymology: The word Kalagam is considered a Tamil variation of the Sanskrit Kataha or the Malay Kedah. In later Chola inscriptions (11th century), the region is more explicitly called Kadaram.
- Trade Commodities: The "produce of Kalagam" mentioned in the poem likely refers to iron, tin, and high-quality jungle products (like resins and rare woods). Recent excavations at Sungai Batu in Kedah have revealed an extensive iron-smelting industry dating back to the same era as the Pattinappalai.
- Navigational Route: Kedah was the first landfall for Indian sailors crossing the Bay of Bengal. Ships utilized the monsoon winds to sail directly from the Coromandel Coast to the Malay Peninsula.
Historical Significance
- Early Contact: It proves that Tamil merchants were not just aware of Southeast Asia but had established a "brisk sea-borne trade" with it as early as 2,000 years ago.
- Cosmopolitan Society: The poem describes Puhar as a place where people of different languages lived together peacefully, suggesting that trade with places like Kalagam led to a very early form of globalization.
- Foundation for the Chola Empire: These early trade links laid the groundwork for the later, more famous naval expeditions of Rajendra Chola I in the 11th century, who conquered "Kadaram" (Kedah) to secure these same trade routes.
SUNGAI BATU
The archaeological finds at Sungai Batu (located within the larger Bujang Valley complex in Kedah, Malaysia) have provided ground-breaking evidence that aligns with the Sangam-era descriptions in Pattinappalai.
While traditional history once suggested Indian influence only began around the 5th century CE, Sungai Batu pushes this timeline back significantly, revealing a highly organized industrial port that was active during—and even before—the time the poem was composed.
1. The "Produce of Kalagam": A Global Iron Hub
The Pattinappalai mentions "the produce of Kalagam" (Kalagaththu-akkam) being imported to South India. Archaeologists have discovered that Sungai Batu was not just a transit port, but a massive iron-smelting center.
- Scale of Industry: Excavations have revealed over 17 smelting sites and nearly 2 million tuyeres (clay pipes used to blow air into furnaces).
- Standardized Ingots: The site produced high-quality iron ingots that were likely the primary export. This matches later Arab and Indian records that praised "Qalai" or "Kadaram" iron for making superior swords.
- Technological Links: The bloomery method and the design of the furnaces used at Sungai Batu show remarkable similarities to ancient smelting techniques found in South India, suggesting a shared technological pool or direct transfer of expertise.
2. Ancient Jetty and Port Architecture
Pattinappalai describes Puhar as a port where ships from Kalagam docked. At Sungai Batu, researchers have unearthed the oldest man-made jetty structures in Southeast Asia.
- The Brick Wharves: Radiocarbon dating (using AMS) of charcoal samples near these brick structures dates them to the 2nd or 3rd century CE (with some controversial dates going as far back as 500–700 BCE).
- Submerged Ships: Remains of ancient timber boats (approx. 12–30 meters long) were found buried in the ancient riverbed, which used to be much wider and deeper, allowing large merchant vessels from the Bay of Bengal to sail directly to the industrial heart of the city.
3. Religious and Ritual Sites
The poem mentions a cosmopolitan society with various religious practices. Sungai Batu features a unique circular brick monument (Site SB1B) dated to around 110 CE.
- Pre-Indic Influence: While later Bujang Valley sites (5th–11th century) are clearly Hindu-Buddhist (Candis), the early Sungai Batu ritual site is unique. It features a circular base that some scholars believe represents early animistic or sun-worship practices of the local population, who later integrated Hindu-Buddhist styles (like the Vimana-Mandapa) as trade with India intensified.
4. Direct Artifactual Evidence
Beyond the large structures, smaller finds provide the "smoking gun" for Sangam-era trade:
- Pottery and Ceramics: Fragments of Rouletted Ware, a specific type of pottery common in the Roman Empire and South Indian ports (like Arikamedu), have been found in the region.
- Beads: Thousands of "Indo-Pacific" glass beads, manufactured using techniques common in South India, indicate a shared fashion and trade economy.
- Inscriptions: Although many are from a slightly later period (5th century), the discovery of stone tablets with Pallava Grantha script confirms that the writing system of the Tamil country was the "lingua franca" of the Bujang Valley's elite and merchant classes.
Summary Table: Literature vs. Archaeology
Reference:
- Wikipedia : Bujang Valley
- Wikipedia : Sungai Batu
- Jabatan Warisan Negara: Sungai Batu
Google Gemini AI
11/2/2026: 8.53 p.m
