13th-century Chola-era inscription found at Nalla Thanneer Kulam in Medavakkam, Chennai

A 13th-century Chola-era stone inscription was found during restoration and desilting of Nalla Thanneer Kulam in Medavakkam, Chennai. Dated to 1268 CE, it belongs to the reign of Telugu Chola king Vijaya Ganda Gopalan, who ruled from Kancheepuram. It records that a merchant from Monappakkam built a sluice in the ancient Monapakkam lake; Monapakkam later came to be called Modavakkam, showing how the locality's name evolved. The find shows that old waterbodies around present-day Chennai served farming and drinking needs. The tank was reportedly a drinking-water source until about three decades ago.