India

Mangulam

Jain cave complex with Tamil‑Brahmi inscriptions, Sangam period

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

Mangulam or Mankulam is a village in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Madurai. The inscriptions discovered in the region are the earliest Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Jain habitation of the caves

3rd century BCE to 9th century CE

Stone beds made for Jain monks (Pandyan worker record)

c. 270 BCE

Discovery by Robert Sewell

1882

V. Venkayya's reading attempt

1906

H. Krishna Sastri identifies Tamil words

1919

K. V. Subrahmanya Aiyar identifies Tamil-Brahmi

1924

Iravatham Mahadevan records and dates inscriptions

1965

Excavation of Jain prayer halls

2007

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Burial and Funerary Structures

Graves
category

Religious and Ritual Structures

Temples
category

Artistic and Decorative Features

Inscriptions
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

VillagesCaves
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Modified CavesRock Shelters
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore

Plan Your Visit

Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information

Reference

Details

Country

India

Coordinates

10.03° N, 78.34° E