Kaveripumpattinam
| Puhar | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
 Puhar
|
|
| Coordinates: 11°08′38″N 79°51′18″E / 11.144°N 79.855°ECoordinates: 11°08′38″N 79°51′18″E / 11.144°N 79.855°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Nagapattinam |
| Elevation | 1 m (3 ft) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Telephone code | 04364 |
| Vehicle registration | TN-82-Z |
| Nearest city | Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Mayiladuthurai |
Puhar (also known as Poompuhar) is a town in the Nagapattinam district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was once a flourishing ancient port city known as Kaveri poompattinam, which for a while served as the capital of the early Chola kings in Tamilakam. Puhar is located near the end point of the Kaveri river, aside the sea coast. it is mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. it is now established by marine archaeological research conducted by the National institute of marine archaeology, Goa that much of the town was washed away by progressive erosion and floods. Submerged wharves and several meter lengths of pier walls excavated in recent times have corroborated the literary references to Poompuhar. It was rebuilt several times after that. Ancient Pottery dating back to the 4th century BCE have been discovered off shore by marine archaeologists east of this town.
The general plan of the city of Puhar is described in considerable detail in the fifth book of Silapathikaram (c. ). The town was built on the north banks of the river Kaveri. The town had two distinct districts, Maruvurpakkam near the sea and Pattinappakkam to its west. These two villages were separated by a stretch of gardens and orchards where daily markets were held under the shades of the trees. The market place was known as Naalangadi during the day and as allangadi by night.
The district of Maruvurpakkam was near the beach and had several terraced mansions and warehoused with windows shaped like the eyes of the deer. Maruvurpakkam being close to the shore and hence to the shipyard was naturally preferred by the many overseas travellers, merchants and 'yavanas (foreigner) whose pleasant features arrested the eyes of the spectators living close to each other.
Maruvurpakkam was inhabited by the fisher folk. The town had several warehouses. Weavers, silk merchants, vendors, fish and meat sellers, potters, grain merchants, jewellers and diamond makers lived in Maruvurppakkam.
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Wikipedia