TAMLUK

ancient Tamralipti, also called Tamralipta, Pali Tamalitti city, West Bengal state, northeastern India, just south of the Rupnarayan River. Archaeological excavations have revealed a sequence of occupation going back to a period in which stone axes and crude pottery were in use, with continuous settlement from about the 3rd century BC. Jaina sources identify Tamralipti as the capital of the kingdom of Vanga. It was long known as a port. According to the Mahavamsa, an epic history of Ceylon, it was the departure point of Prince Vijaya's expedition to colonize Ceylon (c. 500 BC) and for Asoka's Buddhist missionary expedition to Ceylon 250 years later. Tamralipti was also the port for trade with Southeast Asia. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-hsien visited the city in the 5th century AD, and Hsan-tsang visited it in the 7th century. Hsan-tsang reported that there were 10 Buddhist monasteries and an Asokan pillar there, and he referred to Tamralipti as a thriving port for export of indigo, silk, and copper (Sanskrit tamra), from which it derived its name. In ancient times Tamralipti was near the sea. With the advance of the Ganges Delta, Tamluk is now 60 mi (97 km) inland. A centre for boat traffic on the river, it is an agricultural distribution centre and has chemical factories and general engineering works. It has a surviving Buddhist temple, now dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. It became a municipality in 1864. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 38,656.