UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3945
ANSWERED ON-18.08.2025
ANCIENT TAMIL INSCRIPTIONS IN SOUTH INDIA

(a) Whether some historically important Copper Plate Inscriptions of ancient dynastic rulers
found in Tamil Nadu by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the State Department of
Archaeology, Tamil Nadu are kept in Museums abroad and if so, the details thereof and the total
number of Copper Plate Inscriptions found in South India, Dynasty-wise and the museums where
they are protected;
(b) whether it is a fact that out of the total of 1.5 Lakh ancient inscriptions found in South India
more than 1 Lakh inscriptions are in Tamil Language dating back to 200 BC to AD 1800, if so,
the details thereof including the historical inscriptions found in Vellore Lok Sabha Constituency;
and
(c) whether the Epigraphy Branch of ASI has published several volumes of Epigraphica Indica
and series of South Indian Inscriptions before and after Independence and if so, the details
thereof and the date of publishing of the last volume of Epigraphica Indica and South Indian
Inscriptions by the ASI?