Dear colleagues,

I would be grateful for any help to check the source of “700 kātam (kadam)”

In the imprecatory sections of certain Tamil inscriptions, the expression “700 kātam (kadam)” occurs. The term kātam has been interpreted in two distinct ways.

1. Topographical interpretation. According to standard Tamil dictionaries, a kātam denotes a measure of distance equivalent to approximately ten miles. On this basis, the phrase “700 kātam” has been understood as referring to the stretch of land between the Gaṅgā and Kanyākumari. The conventional translation therefore reads:
   “He who violates this charity shall incur the sins committed within the seven hundred kātam of land lying between the Gaṅgā (the Ganges) and Kumari (Cape Comorin).”

2. Philological interpretation. Alternatively, some scholars derive kātam from Sanskrit ghāta (घात), meaning “murder” or “slaughter.” Under this interpretation, the phrase is rendered:
   “Whoever harms this charity shall incur the sin committed by those who perpetrate seven hundred murders near the Gaṅgā and near Kumari.”

Given the imprecatory context of such inscriptions, the derivation from Sanskrit ghāta (“murder, slaughter”) appears to me more plausible. I would therefore be grateful if anyone could confirm whether the expression “700 ghāta (घात)” occurs in Sanskrit sources. If so, I would appreciate any relevant references.

With my sincere apologies for the troubles,
thanks and kind regards.
Appasamy Murugaiyan