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Home , Chandravalli, Halmidi, Hero stone, History of Karnataka, Kannada, Talagunda

History and Culture of (From Early Times to 1336)

Programme ಕಾರ್ಯ响ರ ಮ BA Subject 풿ಷರ್ History and Archaeology Semester �ಕ್ಷ貾ವ鲿 V University 풿ಶ್ವ 풿ದ್ಯಾ ಲರ್ Karnatak University, Session ಅವ鲿 3 Title : Sources: Literary and Archaeological

Sub Title: Archaeological Sources: Important Inscriptions Learning Objectives

Students will learn about the Archaeological sources, their importance in writing the history and few important inscriptions throw light on the . Session Out Comes

• Students learnt about the role of inscriptions in reconstructing the history of Karnataka • They learnt about different types of inscriptions, • They know few important inscriptions on Karnataka history • They realize the importance of inscriptions Introduction • Inscriptions are the earliest writings on stone or copper plates to record the important information by the Kings • They are the most authentic sources, because they are issued by the administrative authorities • They are classified as administrative , commercial, hero stones, donatives, Importance of Inscriptions

1. Inscriptions throw light on 2. The extent of the empire 3. Social customs, administration, religious condition, 4. The growth of scripts, & Literature 5. The evolution of sculpture and art 6. Chronology of ruling dynasties 7. Foreign trade & commerce

Importance of Inscriptions 9.Inscriptions enables in spreading information.

10. In addition to all these they throw light on the existence of group of scholars and scribers (writers ) in the kingdoms.

11. Scholars received royal patronage. They are issued only with the consent of the kings, hence the information they carry are most authentic. Types of Inscriptions

• Donative Inscriptions- gives information about donations by the kings, Queens, ministers, merchants etc. • Hero Stones- Erected to commemorate heroic activities of both man & Women (Sati stones), • Nishadi Stone- belonged to to commemorate the Sallekhana rites. (fasting to death

Important Inscriptions  Inscription: Halmidi is a small village in Belur taluk of Hassan disrict. 450 A.D. This is the first inscription found so far in Karnataka belonged to king Kakusthavarama of Kadambas of . Durimg his period Mrugendra and Nag were administering from Naridavale Nadu. They defeated of Pallavas and Kekeyas. Hence they got Halimidi and Muruvalli as gift . It bears the title of Dushtanigrhaha and Shishtanugraha. Inscription of Kakusthavarama  This is in front of Pranaveswara temple at Talagunda and in .  It gives us information about the early political history up to Kakusthavarama of the Kadamba dynasty.  Poet Kubja composed the inscription. The name Kadamba came to the dynasty by the Kadamba tree grown in front of the house of the .  Mayursharma went to Kanchi the then famous Ghatika for education.  There he was insulted and fought with them and after getting victory came to Banavasi and set up a new dynasty. Inscription  Aihole is a small village in Hungund taluk of district. It is in sanskrit language and written by Ravikirti a court poet of Pulkesi II. This is in both rose and poetry form, so it is known as Prasasti.  It explains about the victories of Pulkesi II. Narmada Battle with Harshavardhana in which he was defeated, , Kalinga, Pishtapura and Kanchi are mentioned.  He assumed the title Patheswara (i.e. of ). It explains about the genealogy of the dynasty and the titles of Pulkesi II.

Meghuti Temple

Aihole Inscription Inscription of Kirtivarmana I

• This sanskrit inscription of Kirtivarman I is in Vishnu Cave at Badami. The Vishnu statue was installed by the king in the Sanctum (Garbagraha). At that time 16 Brahmins were honoured by the king. Narayana Bali system of cremation at the time of natural death is also mentioned here. Inscription of Kappe Arebetta • This is at Tattukoti near Badami discovered by John F. Fleet British Epigraphist in 1881. • This is in style of . It is in poetry form and in both Kannada and Sanskrit languages. • The theme is nature of the people of Chalukya kingdom. • It says they were good for good and bad for bad. They are great warriors fought without caring for their lives. • Akshara merur was the composer of the inscription. The time of the inscription is of 8th Century.

Copper Plate inscription of Govind III (804 A.D.) • Govinda III was the Rashtrakuta King. • This is in three plates. • The script of the plate is Telagu and Kannada languages, but the language is Kannada. • Today the plates are in . • The theme is once King halted on the bank of river Tunga and met a Shaiva saint at Rameswara. • He granted land to him as token of respect.

Satenahalli Inscription of Vikarmaditya VI • Satenahalli is in Hirekerur Taluk of dsit. • It explains the titles of Vikarmaditya VI • Samastahuvanashraya, Prithivavallabha. • Kalyana was his capital. • He captured Banavasi 12000, Nagarakhan-700 and Pergade. • The leader of Kundageri village donated land for the expenditure of worship of Gundeswara temple.

Other important inscriptions • Chandravalli inscription of Mayurvarma. • inscription of Kadambas. • Banvasi Pillar inscription of Mrigeshvarma. • Gudnapur inscription of Kadamba Ravivarma. • Badami Cliff inscription of Pulkeshi I. • Yekkeri inscription of Pulkeshi II. • Kanchi inscription of II. • Jura Prasasti inscription of Krishan III. • Wadageri inscription of Vikramaditya VI. MCQ’s

1. Mention the Types of Inscriptions. 2. Which was the first Kannada inscription? 3. Who was the composer of Aihole Inscription ? 4. What was the theme of Kappe Arebhatta Inscription ? 5. Chandravalli inscription is of which Ruler.

Answers

1. Donative , Nishadi. 2. Halmidi. 3. Ravikirti. 4. Nature of the People 5. Mayurvarma

References • Phalaksha : History of Karnataka • 蒾. ಬಸವ삾ಜ ಅಕ್ಕಿ : 响ꂾಟ9响ದ ಇ邿ಸ ಮತ್ತು ಸಿ ೃ邿 • ¥Á¯ÁPÀë : 响ꂾಟ9响ದ ಇ邿ಸ • ²ªÀgÀÄzÀæ¸Áé«Ä: 响ꂾಟ9响ದ ¥ËæqsÀ ಇ邿ಸ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ ¸ÀA¸ÀÌøw