Vijayanagara-Era Inscription Discovered in Udupi District
Udupi: A Vijayanagara-era inscription has been discovered at Dasanda Bakimar, near the Jumadi Temple in Kedinje, Belman village, Karkala taluk, Udupi district. The inscription is written in the Kannada language and script, with several Tulu words also appearing in the record, according to Prof. T. Murugeshi, founder-trustee of Adimakala Trust ®, Udupi.
The inscription is engraved on a beautiful green schist (soapstone) slab measuring 46.5 cm in height and 23 cm in width. It consists of two rectangular panels. The lower panel contains 34 lines of inscription, while the upper panel features impressive bas-relief carvings. These include a Shiva Lingam at the centre, a cow standing beside it on the left, and a lamp post and Kadsale (a type of sword associated with the Bhuta tradition) on the right.
The first line begins with an auspicious Swastika symbol, followed by an invocation to Lord Shiva. The inscription then provides the date as Saka year 1039, Prabhava Samvatsara, Bahula Tritiya. However, this date does not correspond to the Vijayanagara period. Prof. Murugeshi suggests that the intended date may have been Saka year 1309, corresponding to 1387 AD, which also matches the Prabhava Samvatsara mentioned in the record.
The inscription praises King Harihara II, describing him as the overlord of the three oceans (Purva Dakshina Paschima Samudradhishvaram). It further records that, under the royal command of Hariyappa Odeya, Maha Pradhana (Prime Minister) Mallappa Odeya was administering the Barakuru kingdom.
According to the inscription, Mallappa Odeya granted the Dattaluva kingdom to Sanganna Jaya Arasa. Sanganna Jaya Arasa subsequently made two land grants, known as Balikes, to Kotishvaralva and Kadambalva at Nandalike. The grants were made as Brahmadaya (tax-free land grants).
Of the produce from these two land grants, six Mudes of paddy were to be provided to a Brahmin who taught the Puranas. The two brothers were instructed to make this annual contribution without fail, in accordance with the charitable deed (Dharma) instituted by Jaya Arasa.
The inscription also specifies penalties for anyone, including government authorities, who violated or failed to honour this charitable arrangement. A fine of 250 Gadyanas was payable to the king and 150 Gadyanas to the deity. The record was written by Senabova Vittanna of Jaya Arasa and concludes with the customary imprecatory verses invoking consequences for those who violate the grants.
The existence and location of this inscription were brought to the attention of Prof. T. Murugeshi by Sinchith M. and Shodan B., first-year BA Archaeology students of MSRS College, Shirva.
Prof. Murugeshi expressed his gratitude to both students for bringing the inscription to his notice. He also acknowledged the support of Suhas Hegde of Nandalike Palace and his mother, Sarala S. Hegde; Dr. Suresh Chitrapu, president of Gajani Foundation, Mulki; and Dr. Raghuram Shetty of Rani Chikkayi Tayi Charitable Trust ®, Gulladi.