கரிகாலச்சோழன் பெருவளத்தானின் பன்முக ஆளுமை: சங்க கால அரசியல், கடல்சார் வணிகம் மற்றும் கல்லணையின் நீரியல் பொறியியல் மேலாண்மை குறித்த ஓர் உன்னத வரலாற்று ஆய்வு

The Multifaceted Personality of Karikalan Peruvalathan: Sangam Age Politics, Maritime Trade, and the Hydraulic Engineering Management of the Kallanai - A Sublime Historical Study

Abstract

The primary objective of this article is to examine in detail the multifaceted personality of Karikal Peruvalathan, who stands as the hallmark of the Chola Empire in the history of Sangam-era Tamil Nadu. The Kallanai (Grand Anicut) built by him ranks among the oldest hydraulic structures in the world. Based on the Sand Bed Scouring Principle of the riverbed, the engineering excellence of this structure—built using massive stones without any modern cement mixture—continues to amaze global engineers to this day. Furthermore, Karikalan’s military victories in the Battle of Venni and the Battle of Vagai Paranthalai not only expanded the borders of the Chola nation but also brought about a strong political unification in Tamil Nadu. Through Sangam literature such as Pattinappalai and Porunaratrupadai, along with later historical sources, Karikalan's philanthropy, international Roman trade, and water resource management are subjected to comprehensive historical and scientific analysis in this article.