Political Background 6

CHAPTER - II POLITICAL BACKGROUND 6 CHAPTER - II POLITICAL BACKGROUND A lot of evidence which has been brought to light the prehistory of Karnataka. Robert Bruce Foote, who pioneered prehistoric research in India and discovered stone tools at Kadur, Nyamati, Menasgi, Nidagutta, etc. sites in Karnataka. Recently, the archeologist were discovered the sites of stone age in the valley of Krishna Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha. Scholars differ regarding the exact nomenclature of the technology of Indian stone age with its divisions. But broadly speaking the stone age has been divided into 1. Early stone age 2. Middle stone age 3. Later stone age 4. New stone age 5. Megalithic stone age This brief survey of prehistoric culture in Karnataka has been taken to provide a future link. This period is the dawn of human settlement and the process of Aryaniyaten of this region. Early stone age Many sites of early stone age have been discovered by archeologists like Sheshadri, Joshi, Papuu and Padayya in Karnataka. Kibbanhali from Tumkur district, Angawadi and Bagalkot 7 on Ghatprabha river, Nittur on right bank of Tungabhadra are some of the important sites.1 The hand axes and cleavers of Acheulian type are found. The tools are made from dyke basalt and are marked by a high proportion of pebble tools. Both unifficial and bifacial. At some sites found the tools which are associated with fossils of Bos and Elephas or Bos namadicus. What happened to the early stone age, man cannot be explained because there is a mixture of early and middle stone age of Elifacts.2 Middle Stone Age Gulbarga, Bijapur and Bellary districts are rich in middle stone age sites. The main tools of this age comprise scrappers, borers, flakes, and cores. In Gulbarga district fossils of Bos and Elephas are found which associated with tools. These tools are comparatively heavier. In Indian contacts, a detail study of each sub stage of stone age has been done but it is not requfre here. Late Stone Age The tools of this age are known as microliths. Sangankallu near Bellary, Jalahalli near Bangalore, Brahamgiri Chitaldurga district, etc. are some microlithic sites3 The tools comprised cores, flakes, points, resents, chopping tools etc. These tools are prepared from tracer and quartz. No details of life day of man can be described but an idea 8 of development of man associated with the change in the types of tools can be made. New Stone Age This was the revolutionary age where fundamental change from food gathering to food producing stage.; When exactly the old stone age come to an end and Neolithic begins cannot be told. But Karnataka yielded an abundant evidence for Neolithic age. Tekkalkotta, Muski, Teradal, T. Narsipura, Sangankallu, Kopagal, Hallur, Brahamagiri and Hemmige are some important Neolithic sites in Karnataka.4 A variety of tools like axes, edges, scrapers, wedges etc. are found. A variety of chisels have also discovered and there are polished. This age marks a use of a simple handmade pottery, bowls of various shapes, shallow dishes, jars, perporated pots etc. are discovered. Though the pots were hand made, yet some of the shapes are vary elegant e. g. the tea cattle. Of course the Neolithic age has two phases. In first phase all pottery was handmade. Wheel made pottery occurs along with handmade variety in phase II. A remarkable change especially seen at Tekkalkotta. Bowls and disks of red colour with painting in black, can be found which indicates a contact with jorwey culture of Maharashtra. The spouted dull red vessels constrain necked jars, ovals, humps are also common between the Jorwe and Neolithic culture. 9 In brief the Neolithic life days should be considered. The racial elements of these people has been identified as protoaustroloid and the Dravitoid.5 These people were the preventive agriculturist. As the remains, Ragi and Horse grain are discovered. The evidence of domestication of animals like goat, dog, sheep etc. is available. There is no doubt in accepting that, the Neolithic people were enjoying a settlement pattern of life. Megalithic Age This age is associated with the introduction of iron age. In case of Karnataka it rightly bracketed between 1000 B. C. to 200 B. C. The excavations at Terdal, Hunnur, Brahamagiri, Jadaganhlli, the iron tools and black, red pottery is associated with burriors. Though there y are variety of buried patterns in megalithic age.^No details of this culture can be described without the availability of other type of data. In fact the megalithic culture overlaps with the beginning of Mauryan period in Karnataka. Karnataka in Traditional Accounts Traditional accounts throw some light on the history of Karnataka prior to Maurya age. In case of North India, the Vedic literature provides a well sequenced history. But in early Vedic literature there is no reference to South India including Karnataka. The workers, composed upto 7th, 6th B. C. lack the knowledge of India South of the Vindyas. But from 6th B. C. onwards the Aryans crossed 10 the Vindyas and therefore the traditions, legends and myths developed in Indian Literature during the time, shown a knowledge of India, South of the Vindyas. 'Agastya's story in Ramayana and Mahabharata indicates a relationship between the Aryans of Hindu and non Aryans in the Vindya region. The reference to the Asuras' in "Dandakaryan or Demonvatari" and his flesh dynasty by Agastya or a reference to "Deman Ivala definitely suggests Agasty's avocation with the South. He suggested that Aihole (Ayyahole) there is a trace of Deman lluvada or Badami, a Chalukyan capital is described as a seat of Vatapi. Many place in Karnataka are associated with Ramayana. The vanar chief Vali and Sugriva lived near Hampi in Bellary district. The holy place like Sitamai, Chaya Bhagawati in Bijapur district are associated with Ram and Hanuman. The Jatinga-Rameswar hill in Chitaldurga \ | district is associated with the story of Jatayu, who lost his life ih fighting with Ravan. Mahabharata too provides some links. Korivara in Kolar district to be believed a place related to Bakasur who was killed by Bhima. Mahabharata also gives a reference to "Kuntala" Mahishala and "Vanavasaka". These regions are identical with the southern part of Karnataka. The Uttar Karnataka and north Karnataka region Parasuram, Son of Jamadgni was one more legendry figure associated with Karnataka. "Gokarn" Uttar Karnataka district is associated with 11 Parasurama. Similarly the association of south Kokans (seven Konkas) with Parsuram in west coat region is very dear. By the survey of the references to the places and people in Karnataka in traditional literature. It is very clear that before the Mauryas, Karnataka, well acquainted with the Aryan culture. The Mauryas Mauryan empire was definitely consisted of the major portion of Karnataka. Dueling the Nanda period too. The Karnataka was included in this empire. Chandragupta Maurya and his story of spending last goes on Chandragiri valley Bhadrabahu and Sallekhana at ShravanaBelgola dearly suggests that Karnataka was a part of Mauryan empire. Muryan rule was followed by Ashoka too. The rock edicts of Ashoka are found at Maski, Koppal (Rachar). Nittur and Uttala in Bellary and Sidhapura, Brahamigiri and Jatinga-Rameswara in Chitradurga district. It seems that this area termed an administrative unit of Mauryan empire. The Brahamigiri edicts refers to the instruction of the prince and the officers at Survangiri to the officers at Isila. Ashoka's law of piety has also been described in this editK The Brahamagiri edit emphasis Ashoka’s advice to his people regarding the principle of "non violence" good conduct, speaking truth", etc. A reference to Satiyaputra and Keralaputa in the edicts of Ashoka regarding the spread of religion and sending the Buddhist Monks is very important. Especially satiyaputra roughly 12 corresponds to the Dabein' Kannada district. It can be stated that, the Maurya rule in Karnataka provided necessary infrastructure for the development of political institutions. Not only political but a socio-economic religious pattern too wqs provided since the Maurya period. Satavahanas After the disintegration of the Mauryan Empire, the Satavahanas rose to power in the Deccan and their rule extended in Karnataka, which lasted for four and half centuries from about 230 B. C. Excavations at Chandravadi, Vadgaon-Madhavpur, Banawasi, Pattadkal and many other places in Karnataka have brought to light cultural periods connected with the Satavahanas. New'fecent excavations at Aihole, Pattadakal, Hampi, Kurugoda and Nargunda Talgao have also yielded Satavahana structures. All these antiquities can be dated to a period from the first century A. D. to the third century A. D. Undoubtedly, this is the richest Satavahana site in the Karnataka. Many coins of Gautamiputra have been found at Banawasi. The coins of Vashisteputra Pulumavi and coins of Yajnasri Satakarni have been found at Citaldurga and neighbouring area of Karnataka, respectively. Recently, a new inscription of Siva-Sri-Pulumavi was found at Banawasi in Uttar Kannada district.6 13 Kuntal Satakarni, a King of minor family, who was ruling in the Kuntal area, and established their sovereignty over the Deccan and rose to imperial eminence. “Kamasutra” of Vastyayana and “Kavyamimansa” of Rajashekhar clearly refers to Satavahana Kings who ruled over Kuntal. Hala is one of the rulers of Kuntala country, who wrote "Gathasaptasatf’ in Prakrit.7 The Satavahana rule ended and they were succeeded by ChutlWat Banawasi. Shri Yajanasri was the last ruler, who retained control of both the eastern and the western provinces. Some other princes of Satavahana line governed minor kingdoms in different parts of Deccan, but nothing is known of the cases that brought the downfall of the main dynasty.8 A geographical distribution of all the Satavahanas settlements, point out that, they are found all over Karnataka.

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