Thanjavur: Dr G Baskaran, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil University, called upon youngsters, particularly students, to protect epigraphs that shed light on our cultural heritage.

Inaugurating a photo exhibition on ‘Indian Epigraphy’ organised by the Epigraphy branch of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on the university campus in a bid to create awareness among students on the need to protect the inscriptions for posterity, Dr Baskaran said that epigraphs throw light on social and economic aspects. Students should learn how to read the epigraphs which shed light on cultural heritage, he said.

The exhibition has photos of the Indus seals, the earliest Tamil Brahmi inscriptions of Tamil Nadu. Photos of the Mankulam inscriptions and the earliest hero stone inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi discovered by the department of Epigraphy and Archaeology, Tamil University, at Pulimankombai and Thathapatti are also showcased. These inscriptions date before Christ, with the earliest inscription placed around 500 BC. In addition, photos of Arittapatti, Muttupatti and Mettupatti inscriptions are exhibited.

The inscriptions exhibiting the development of the script in Tamil Nadu, such as those at Ammankoilpatti, Thirunatharkundru, Parayanpattu, the Pallava Tamil and Grantha inscriptions, and Chola inscriptions are also exhibited.

The estampage of the Uttaramerur inscription of Parantaka Chola I (919 AD) is also exhibited. This inscription talks about the village administrative system and the elections to the village assembly in the medieval period.

The exhibition is open to the public till November 30.