Courtesy: NewIndPress

Mysore, Feb 8:  Litterateurs and Kannada activists fighting for classical status for the language have a reason to smile, as a Mangalore-based archaeologist and numismatist has found a Kadamba age copper coin bearing Kannada letters on it, dated 5th century AD, to support their claim for classical tag to Kannada.

Director of ancient archaeology and museums R. Gopal said that the copper coin was found at Banawasi in Uttar Kannada district, which used to be the capital of the Kadambas.

The coin was found by Mukunda Prabhu, numismatist.

The coin bears ‘Srimanaragi’ in Kannada, which experts suggest may be the name of a King or an awards. The find has been tipped as the most ancient coin in Kannada.

It also confirms that there was a mint at Banavasi in 500 AD, where coins bearing Kannada letters were minted, the numismatist said.

Bahubali idol found: In Katharghatta village of KR Pet taluk in Mandya, a Bahubali idol and two other idols were found while digging the foundation for the construction of a temple in the village.

The idol is 5.5 ft and the other two idols are 2 ft. Tahasildar Noorudeen Sharief visited the village and inspected the idols. They are being kept in the village itself.

The villagers say more excavations in the area might unearth more ancient idols in the village.