In a landmark archaeological discovery, 69 stone slab inscriptions dating back to as early as the 9th Century have recently been uncovered in the southern Indian Province of Karnataka’s Kodagu District.

These findings, made by B P Rekha, the Curator of the Archaeology, Museums and Heritage Department of the Provincial Government, mark the most extensive discovery of inscriptions in the region since British archaeologist Benjamin Lewis Rice’s (July 17, 1837 – July 10, 1927) work in 1886. Rekha’s survey began in 2023, culminating in the largest such find in Kodagu in over a century, according to a report published in Praja Vani (PV).

Rice’s 1886 seminal work, titled Epigraphia Karnataka, included transcriptions of 114 stone inscriptions, providing an invaluable record of Kodagu’s ancient past. Rekha’s recent discoveries bring a fresh perspective to the region’s history, with 69 new inscriptions now transcribed by Mysuru-based epigraphy expert H M Nagarajarao, unveiling remarkable details about Kodagu’s religious, social and political landscape.

One of the inscriptions, found in Niluvagilu village and dating back to the 9th Century AD, references the now-lost Vasanthi temple, hinting at religious structures that no longer exist today. Another 9th Century inscription in Edavare village recounts the life of an individual, named Vendi, who is described as having “ascended to heaven“. The inscription bestows upon him the title “the Brahma of Kaliyuga“, suggesting his revered status in the community.

Jainism appears prominently in many of these inscriptions. A notable example is a Nishidhi inscription at Kalthmadu in Virajpet, installed by a man, named Kanakasenaiah, to honour his guru (mentor).

An inscription from the 11th-12th Century in Shirangala refers to Sirivangala, believed to be the ancient name of the area. This artefact also mentions the River Cauvery and two individuals, named Siriyamma and Kava Gowda, adding context to the region’s social framework.

Some inscriptions date even further back, to the 8th Century AD, including one found in Seegehosuru that highlights the Rajendra Chola Dynasty’s influence in Kodagu. This indicates that the Chola Empire‘s reach extended into the region. An additional inscription found at Mrityunjaya Temple mentions Vangala, while a rare find from Basavanahalli references Badiva of Kongalva, the only known record of the Kongalva lineage in Kodagu.

With the transcription of these 69 inscriptions complete, B P Rekha noted that a detailed study of the inscriptions would further illuminate Kodagu’s ancient heritage, enriching our understanding of the region’s history and its place within the culture of the southern part of India.

The Kodagu Express published this article on November 2, 2024. Read the original article.

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das