Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 20: Archaeology professor T Murugeshi said that an inscription relating to the death of Alupa King Kulashekara Alupendra I is found in Someshwara temple at Someshwara. 

The rectangle stone inscription has two attractive picture stripes. In between them is the first line inscription. Below 11 lines of inscription is written.

In the first line, worshipping of Somaprabhu referring to Lord Someshwara can be seen. First Kulashekara king is referred as Somakulatilaka, Pandya Maharajadhiraja, Parameshwara and Parama Bhattaraka.

In the fifth and sixth lines it is written that Sri Matkula Sekaralvanunalupida, which means that the Kulashekara Alupendra I died. After his death Siridevaiah took away the white umbrella, which was the emblem of the kingdom. Meaning of last two lines of the inscription is not clear.

In the lower part of the inscription King Kulashekara Alupendra is picturised as holding a sword in right hand and his left hand rests on the shield. There is a huge pole on his left side. Besides the pole the king is picturised in a meditative pose.

This is the first stone inscription in which the death of an Alupa king is recorded. However, the inscription does not mention the date or period. According to the script it can be assumed that the inscription belong to 12th century AD. Prof Mugugeshi said that King Kulashekara Alupendra I ruled from 1156 AD to 1215 AD as an independent king of Tulunadu. He also built a city in his name in Mangaluru. He also built a palace by the name Bhuvanashraya at Kulashekara. He is the one who gave Tulu language and script royal recognition.