Tyndis (Ancient Greek:Τύνδις[1],Tamil: Thondi[2]) was an ancient south Indian seaport/harbor-town mentioned inGraeco-Roman writings. It was located about 500stadia north of the portMuziris (Muchiri), in the country of theChera rulers.[3][2] No archaeological evidence of Tyndis has been found.[2]
The Chera rulers of early historic south India (c. second century BCE - c. third century CE[4]) had their headquarters atKarur (Karuvur) in the interior Tamil Nadu and headquarters/harbors atMuziris (Muchiri) and Tyndis (Thondi) on theMalabar Coast (present-dayKerala).[4] Early Tamil texts contain several references to a port named "Thondi" on the Kerala coast in Chera territory.[2][4]
Another town namedThondi, located in thePandya country on the eastern coast of the peninsula, is also mentioned in early Tamil literature.[5][2] This town continues to exist under the same name.[2]
In Tamil, the term "Thondi" refers to either "a small bay-like landscape" or to the "navel".[3][2]
Like Virai orArikamedu-Virampattinam, Thondi is sometimes referred to as "Munthurai", meaning "the port in front [of the town]".[2] It is also called "Kanalam Thondi", meaning "the coastal town withbackwater lakes or backwaters with flowers".[2] Tamil poems describe it as "valam kezhu", signifying its prosperity, much like Muziris.[2]
The port of Thondi also had a goddess ("Ananku").[2]
There are several references to a port named Thondi on the Kerala coast in the earlyTamil texts. It was under the control of theChera rulers, probably under the Irumporai collateral branch.[2] The port may have been associated with hinterland trade from theMalabar Coast to the interior Tamil country via thePalghat Gap.[2]
The Chera ruler of Thondi was usually called "Poraiyan".[2] One ruler, notably styled "Thin Ther Poraiyan" or "the Poraiyan with the Strong Chariot", is repeatedly mentioned in early Tamil literature.[2] On some occasions, Chera ruler of Thondi is directly named as "Chenkol Kuttuvan" or Cheraman Ko Kothai Marpan.[2]
Early Tamil poems also refer to a palace of the Chera ruler at Thondi.[2] According to these poems, the Chera fixed the tooth of his enemy chieftain "Muvan" on the palace gate.[2] The ruler of Thondi appears to have commanded a contingent ofMarava warriors and owned several elephants.[2] He distributed coins to bards and poets and, on one occasion, gifted varudai (mountain) goats from theDeccan region (?) to Brahmin priests.[2]
There is mention of extensiverice or paddy cultivation in the fields in and around Thondi, described as "the coastal town withbackwater lakes" or "backwaters filled with flowers". Early poems also hint at coconut groves and nearby hills.[2]
Thondi was also noted for its fishing and its "neythal" flowers.[2] It had a fishing community ofParatavar people.[2]
The location ofMuziris provides clues for identifying Tyndis, which was 500 stadia (~92 km) north of it ("by river and sea").[3] The exact location of the port remains uncertain. Possible candidates include the following modern sites:
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