Cijhar 23.Pmd
1 1 Archaeology on Coorg with Special Reference to Megaliths *Dr. N.C. Sujatha Abstract Coorg, located in the southern parts of modern Karnataka is a land locked country, situated between the coastal plains and the river plains of Karnataka. This hilly region part of Western Ghats is covered with thick Kodagu as it colloquially called is the birth place of river Kaveri and other rivers. The mountains of this region are part of the Sahyadri ranges. The high raised mountain ranges like Pushpagiri, Tadiyandamol, and Brahmagiri are the rich reserves for rare animals and flora and fauna. These high rising mountains and peaks causes heavy to very heavy rainfall during the s-w monsoon. This hilly region is known as ‘Kodugunadu’ , ‘ kudunad’, ‘Maleppa’ etc. Key Words: Kodagu, Kudunadu, Mythology, proto-history, Megaliths, Kaveri, Dolemens, strucuture, inhabitated, tribes, poleyas, Eravas, Irulas, Gowdas, Pandava-pare, Introduction - The study of the history of Kodagu begins with discovery of hundreds of dolmen, megaliths burials, pottery and other artifacts found in those places which might have been inhabited by people of pre-historical period. Kodagu is inhabited by the Kodavas who call themselves as ‘Kaverammada Makka’; children of river Kaveri whom they adore and consider worthy of worship. It is part of their life and culture. The other people who inhabit here are the Gowdas, the Malayali speaking, Kannada speaking tribes, some aboriginals like Poleyas, Eravas, Jenu kurubas, Betta Kurubas, Irulas, Gonds, Iris, Kavadis and Thodas etc. For centuries the history of Kodagu was non-existent, as nothing was known about Coorg, except its distinct socio-cultural background added with rich cultural heritage.
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