Minor Majesties

Minor Majesties studies the small ancient kingdom of Paluv=ur, a town located on the northern bank of the K=av=eri river, about 30 kilometers north of Tanjavur. Between the ninth and the eleventh centuries C.E., Paluv=ur was the capital of the dynasty of the Paluv=e.t.taraiyars, a minor dynasty of "little kings" who swore allegiance to the C=ola dynasty. Today, Paluv=ur is divided in two distinct villages, K=ilappaluv=ur and M=elappaluv=ur, and four temples dedicated to the god 'Siva built during the reign of the little kings remain standing. In Minor Majesties, author Valerie Gillet surveys, translates, and analyzes 136 Tamil transcriptions spread across these temples, scrutinizing in depth each one's materiality, location, and epigraphy for the first time. Through these analyses, Gillet brings forth a better understanding of the functioning of the minor dynasty of the Paluv=e.t.taraiyars whose little kings often appear in the inscriptions of the temples, as well as the interactions between the temples and their patronizing communities. The small size of Paluv=ur with its hub of still-standing monuments permits an exceptionally clear overview of the possible relations between distinct temples, allowing readers to unpick complexities related to temple sponsorship, organisation, and functioning. The study of Paluv=ur also reveals how these religious monuments-accruing wealth but, in exchange, enabling donors to accrue merit and power-became a place for the fabrication of political discourses and powers, specific social configurations, and religious practices.A