Archaeologists have identified a 14th‑century Vijayanagara‑era inscription on a green schist slab at Dasanda Bakimar, close to the Jumadi Temple in Kedinje, Belman village, Karkala taluk, Udupi district.
The stone measures 46.5 cm in height and 23 cm in width and is divided into two rectangular panels. The lower panel bears thirty‑four lines of Kannada text, while the upper panel displays a bas‑relief scene.
Carvings on the upper panel feature a Shiva Lingam at the centre, a cow positioned to its left, and, on the right, a lamp post accompanied by a Kadsale sword linked to the Bhuta tradition.
The inscription opens with a Swastika symbol and an invocation to Lord Shiva. It records the date as Saka year 1039, Prabhava Samvatsara, Bahula Tritiya, a combination that does not align with the Vijayanagara period. Professor T. Murugeshi, founder‑trustee of Adimakala Trust, suggests the intended date may be Saka year 1309, equivalent to 1387 AD, which matches the mentioned Samvatsara.
Within the text, King Harihara II is praised as the overlord of the three oceans (Purva Dakshina Paschima Samudradhishvaram). The record states that, under the royal command of Hariyappa Odeya, Maha Pradhana Mallappa Odeya administered the Barakuru kingdom and granted the Dattaluva kingdom to Sanganna Jaya Arasa.
Sanganna Jaya Arasa subsequently issued two tax‑free land grants, known as Balikes, to Kotishvaralva and Kadambalva at Nandalike. The grants obligate the recipients to supply six Mudes of paddy annually to a Brahmin who teaches the Puranas. Failure to honour this charitable deed incurs a fine of 250 Gadyanas payable to the king and 150 Gadyanas to the deity.
The inscription was composed by Senabova Vittanna of Jaya Arasa and concludes with customary imprecatory verses warning violators.
Discovery of the slab was brought to Professor Murugeshi's attention by first‑year BA archaeology students Sinchith M. and Shodan B. of MSRS College, Shirva. He expressed gratitude to the students and acknowledged assistance from Suhas Hegde of Nandalike Palace and his mother Sarala S. Hegde, Dr. Suresh Chitrapu of Gajani Foundation, Mulki, and Dr. Raghuram Shetty of Rani Chikkayi Tayi Charitable Trust, Gulladi.
Image: mangalorean.com
📰 Source: Mangalorean News