Hiphop Tamizha - #Tamizhi | Episode 5 | Indus Valley Civilization

Summary

The video explores the origins and evolution of the Tamizhi script, tracing its connection to ancient graffiti symbols found across regions like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Sri Lanka. It delves into the relationship between Indus Valley civilization's graffiti and the later development of the Tamizhi script. Archaeological findings suggest a link between the Dravidian language and these ancient symbols, indicating that Tamil civilization could date back over 5000 years. The video also touches on the influence of Southern Brahmi and Grandham scripts on modern Tamil writing, showcasing the cultural and historical significance of Tamizhi.

Takeaways

• 📜 The discovery of Tamizhi (Tamizh Brahmi letters) has helped uncover information about ancient Tamizh kings, traditions, and way of life dating back 2600 years.
• 🗺️ Tamizhi's origins might trace back thousands of years and across vast distances, pointing to a deep-rooted connection with ancient civilizations.
• 📝 Graffiti-like symbols were found across a large region, from Gujarat to Sri Lanka, and are believed to be an undeciphered script rather than random symbols.
• 🏺 The archaeological layers in Tamizh Nadu reveal a progression from unmarked pots to pots with Graffiti, and later to pots with both Graffiti and Tamizhi inscriptions.
• 🔍 Graffiti symbols have been found on various items such as pot sherds, coins, and stamp seals, suggesting it was a form of script used before Tamizhi.
• 🏛️ The Indus Valley civilization used a script with Graffiti, and researchers believe there is a strong connection between the Indus Valley script and Tamizh Nadu's ancient script.
• 🔡 More than 60% of Tamizh Nadu's Graffiti closely resembles those from the Indus Valley, supporting the theory that Indus Valley Graffiti evolved into Tamizh Graffiti.
• 🌍 Linguistic and place-name studies reveal significant connections between place names in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tamizh Nadu, indicating possible migration of Dravidian-speaking people from the Indus Valley to the South.
• 🧬 The Dravidian language, still spoken in parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan, suggests a linguistic link between the ancient Indus Valley civilization and modern-day Tamizh people.
• 📚 Further archaeological research and Graffiti deciphering could push the history of the Tamizh language and people back to 5000 years, highlighting Tamizhi's critical role in cultural continuity.

Q & A

What is Tamizhi, and why is it significant?

Tamizhi refers to the ancient Tamizh Brahmi script, considered the earliest script used to write the Tamizh language. It is significant because it provides historical evidence about the Tamizh people, their kings, traditions, and way of life dating back 2600 years.

What are Graffiti symbols, and how are they related to Tamizhi?

Graffiti symbols were found across a large region, from Gujarat to Sri Lanka, and are believed to be an undeciphered script. These symbols are similar to those found in ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley, and they are seen as a precursor to the Tamizh Brahmi (Tamizhi) script.

What role did archaeological excavations in Tamizh Nadu play in the discovery of Graffiti?

Excavations in places like Kodumanal, Vallam, and Korkai revealed layers of pot sherds with Graffiti, some of which were found below the Tamizh Brahmi inscriptions, suggesting that Graffiti was used before Tamizhi. These findings provide evidence of a connection between the Graffiti and the development of Tamizhi.

Why can't Graffiti symbols be considered just pot maker's marks?

The Graffiti symbols were found on tableware and inscribed after the pots were made, not during their production. Additionally, the symbols were found over a vast region, making it unlikely that they were marks from a single pot maker. They appear to have been deliberately inscribed, indicating that they had a significant meaning or script-like function.

How are the Graffiti symbols found in Tamizh Nadu related to those from the Indus Valley civilization?

More than 60% of the Graffiti symbols found in Tamizh Nadu resemble those from the Indus Valley civilization. This suggests a possible cultural and linguistic connection, with the Graffiti evolving into the Tamizh script (Tamizhi).

What evidence suggests that the language of the Indus Valley civilization might have been a Dravidian language?

Researchers like Asko Parpola and Heras, along with Iravatham Mahadevan, have suggested that the Indus Valley people may have spoken a Dravidian language, potentially an ancient form of Tamizh. This is supported by linguistic evidence, such as the presence of Dravidian suffixes in Indus Valley Graffiti.

What is the significance of the discovery of a stamp seal in Annaicoddai, Sri Lanka?

The stamp seal found in Annaicoddai featured both Graffiti symbols and Tamizhi inscriptions. This suggests that Graffiti might have been an early script used in the region and indicates continuity between Graffiti and Tamizhi in representing the Tamizh language.

How did place names provide evidence of a connection between the Indus Valley civilization and Tamizh Nadu?

Place names from the Indus Valley region, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, are similar to those in Tamizh Nadu, such as Korkai, Vanji, and Thondi. This linguistic evidence, along with migratory patterns, suggests that people from the Indus Valley may have migrated to the south and influenced Tamizh culture.

What are the possible reasons for the extinction of the Indus Valley civilization, and where did the people go?

The exact reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley civilization are unknown, but many scholars believe that its people migrated southward, eventually influencing the cultures and languages of regions like Tamizh Nadu. This is supported by archaeological and linguistic evidence, including the continuity of Graffiti symbols.

How did the Tamizhi script evolve into the present-day Tamizh script?

The Tamizhi script, which originated from Southern Brahmi or Andhra Brahmi, eventually evolved into the present-day Tamizh script, influenced by Grantha script. This transformation occurred after the era of King Narasimhan, marking a new phase in the development of Tamizh writing.