A stone inscription dating back to early 9th Century AD has been found at the Mangodu Subrahmanya Temple in Kuthpady near here.
In a press release here, T. Murugeshi, Associate Professor, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty College, Shirva, said that the epigraph was inscribed on a natural round-pillar.
The early Alupa rulers widely used this type of stone for writing inscriptions.
The inscription starts with a simple Swasthisri (may it be well).
It states that Pala Achiya, servant of Navra, stabbed Svetavahana, while forcibly entering Udayapura (today’s Udyavara), and killed him. Pala then died fighting the soldiers of Svetavahana.
The inscription is written in early Kannada script and language (Halegannada). It is assignable to the early 9th Century AD.
Though there are eight lines on the inscription, the seventh line has completely worn out.
‘Tracing antiquity’
According to Prof. Murugeshi, the epigraph speaks of two persons — Navra, a ruler, and Pala Achiya, his servant. The inscription not only records the valiant fighting and death of Pala Achiya but also speaks of the end of the ruler Svetavahana (805-815 AD).
The inscription was useful for understanding the antiquity of Mangodu Subrahmanya Temple. With the help of this inscription, it was possible to trace the antiquity of the temple and assign it to the early 9th Century AD.
‘Copying inscription’
Prof. Murugeshi said that he visited the temple on July 5, 2015, on the request of A.M. Hegde, one of the temple trustees. Prof. Murugeshi’s students Sangeetha, Lohith and Anil, helped him in copying the inscription. Rajashekharappa, epigraphist from Chitradurga, also gave him suggestions in the study of the inscription, the release added.
