Class B.A 5th Semester Subject : History & Archaeology Title of the Paper : History and Culture of Karnataka(From Early Times to 1336) Paper II Optional Session: 1,2,3,4, 5, & 6. Topic : Sources: Literary and Archaeological __________________________________________________________________________________ Introduction • Sources are essential to write the History of the past. Historical facts are recorded in the past to explain the events to the future generation. • They are either issued by the kings or they have more written under their patronage. Hence they have most authentic sources to understand the past. Classification of the sources: Sources are divided as Archaeological & Literary. Archaeological Sources are divided as Excavation (antiquity), Inscriptions, Numismatics, & Monuments. Literary sources are classified as Indigenous & Foreign. Indigenous literary sources are divided as religious and secular. Archaeological Sources: Introduction Archaeology means study of material remains. Archaeological sources are as essential as literary sources. Particular period of History is completely depending upon archaeological sources like Pre- Historic period, by the scientific study of the ruins Archaeological excavations provide data for the reconstruction of Prehistory & History. Excavation - Antiquity : Introduction Excavation in archaeology is the process of digging the site. There are two types of Excavation 1. Vertical 2. Horizontal, it is the process of recording of archaeological remains archaeologist recovers several types of ruins/ materials from an excavated site like artifacts, ecofacts (organic remains). 1862 the Department of Archaeology come into existence. Department of Archaeology conducted excavation in various sites of Karnataka Important Excavations Excavation carried out at Sangankallau Bellary District by Dr. Subba Rao, which throw light on Mesolithic age, staff of Deccan College Poona in 1946 & Dr. Ravi Korishetter Excavated Neolithic phase at Sangankallu. Excavation at Chandravalli Chitradurga district by K. Paddaiah, M.H. Krishana, gives information of ancient period.The Staff of Deccan College Poona have excavated Tekkalkote & Kappagal in 1965. This reveals Neolithic culture.Dr. H.D. Sankalia, K.V. Joshi carried out the excavation at Anagwadi Bagalkote District Ghatprabha region. Dr. H.D. Sankalia, K.V. Joshi continued excavation at Hunasgi Nala, Baichbal of Gulbarga district, Kibbanahalli Tumkur district, Pattadkallu & Khyad of Bagalkote district, these all sites gives information of Paleaolithic culture in Karnataka. Excavation at Vadagaon Madhavpur in Belgaum District brought to light the Pre-Satavahana & Satavahana remains.Sand dunes at Talkad : the Temple buried belong to the Ganga dynasty and some of the stone age evidences discovered by ASI. Excavation at Rajaghatta in Banglore district revaels Buddhist structures like vihara’s and votive stupas. Excavation at Sannati Gulburga District discovered the remains of Buddhist Stupa of Maurya and Satavahana period it is one of the largest stupa in south India Other Important Excavations • Lingsugur, Maski, Piklihal Raichur district. • Hallur Haveri district. • T Narsipur Mysore district. • Terdal Bagalkote district. • Brahmagiri Chitradurga district. These all the Neolithic, Chalcolithic & Megalithic sites of Karnataka Antiquity : • Hand Axes, Cleavers, choppers, Knives Scrapers potteries burial remains, • Stupa, Temple ruins. • Artifacts: Acheulian. • Rock types : Quartzite, Chert (sedimentary rock), Granite, Basalt , Dolerite used to make stone tools & implements Introduction Epigraphy: • Epigraphy means study of Inscriptions • 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 : Inscriptions throw light on, the extent of the empire, social customs, administration, religious condition. The growth of scripts, languages & Literature, the evolution of sculpture and art, Chronology of ruling dynasties and the foreign trade & commerce, Inscriptions enables in spreading information.In addition to all these they throw light on the existence of group of scholars and scribers (writers ) in the kingdoms. 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 : 1. Donative Inscriptions- gives information about donations by the kings, Queens, ministers, merchants etc. 2. Hero Stones- Erected to commemorate heroic activities of both man & Women (Sati stones), 3. Nishadi Stone- belonged to Jainism to commemorate the Sallekhana rites. (fasting to death Important Inscriptions : Halmidi Inscription: Halmidi is a small village in Belur taluk of Hassan disrict. 450 A.D.This is the first Kannada inscription found so far in Karnataka belonged to king Kakusthavarama of Kadambas of Banavasi. 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. Talagunda Inscription of Kakusthavarama : This is in front of Pranaveswara temple at Talagunda and in Sanskrit language. 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 Brahmins. 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. Aihole Inscription : Aihole is a small village in Hungund taluk of Bagalkot 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, Kosala, Kalinga, Pishtapura and Kanchi are mentioned. He assumed the title Patheswara (i.e. Lord of India). It explains about the genealogy of the dynasty and the titles of Pulkesi II. Badami 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 Tripadi style of Kannada literature. 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. Shri 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.) : This inscription belongs to Govinda III of Rashtrakuta dynasty this is in three plates, the script of the plate is Telagu and Kannada, but the language is Kannada today the plates are in British Museum. 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 Haveri district. 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. • Malavalli 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 Vikramaditya II. • Jura Prasasti inscription of Krishan III. • Wadageri inscription of Vikramaditya VI. Introduction of Numismatics : Numismatics means study of Coins, ancient coins are the valuable source which gives us historical information. Coins contain the name, date, emblem, figure of a king, and some coins gives information of Victories of a King. (Gautamiputra Satakarni restruck the coins of Nahapana after defeating him) coins reflect economic condition. Roman coins found at Devanahalli & Chandravalli reveals the trade relation. Important Coins : Satavahana’s issued golden coins Suvarna, Dinara, lead coins which bears legends & names of the king. Earliest Padma-Tanka issued by Kadamaba’s. Kadamba’s were the first to mint the Padma- Tanka coins. Gold & Silver coins also circulated during the Kadamba’s. Gangas of Talkadu minted golden coins Pagoda with Kannada and Nagari legends. Coins consist of the image of an elephant on the obverse and floral petal symbols on the reverse. Chalukyas of Badami were issued Gold & Silver coins Varaha, Pagoda, Huna (Honnu) Fana or fanam (old Kannada represent money). Varaha- Boar, Pagoda having the symbol of temple on the obverse lotus. Rastrakutas Coins : Suvarna, Gadyana, Dramma, Kalanju, Dharana, these coins contain the figures of God & Goddess & the names of the Kings,