Periyapattinam Jewish Inscription

Periyapattinam Jewish Inscription (c.13th century AD), also Valantaravai inscription, is a medieval merchant guild inscription discovered from near Valantaravai, Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu in southern India. The record was originally installed on the Periyapattinam beach.

The epigraph mentions details of the land donated to certain 'Cutapalli' ('the Jewish Synagogue') at Periyapattinam. It is one of the rare records mentioning early Jewish, Christian and Muslim presence in southern India. and dates to the period of ascendancy of the Ainnutruvar or Ayyavole Five Hundred merchant guild in south India (incorporating manigramam and anjuvannam).

The settlement of 'Peryapatnam' is traditionally listed as one of the first Jewish settlements in southern India. An undated Hebrew language inscription was previously found at Periyapattinam. The Valantaravai record incidentally mentions certain "tarisapalli" or the Christian church (similar to the Quilon Syrian copper plates from Kerala). A tombstone with a Hebrew inscription was found in an unused well in a coconut farm near Periyapattinam in 2024. The marker is dated in multiple eras (including Shvat 1536/1537 of the Seleucid era, corresponding to 1224/1225 AD).