Mangalore: Rare 14th Century Stone Inscription Found in City

Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Feb 8: A rare inscription dating back to the 14th century was found near Jeppu-Bappal here recently.

The inscription, etched on a four foot tall stone column was found near the house of V Malathi Kurup, a resident of Shanthinagar in Jeppu-Bappal.
 
An inscription written in Kannada language and script can be found on two faces of the column. There are 53 lines of writings, 27 of which are on the anterior and 26 on the posterior sides.

'Nandi' and 'Shivalingas' have been carved carefully on this rectangular-shaped structure. A blurred image is seen on the rear side, which, according to Prof T Murugeshi, lecturer in archaeology department at MSRS College, Shirva and Prashanth Shetty, lecturer in history department at Milagres College, Kallianpur, could be a carving of lord Ganapati.

The inscription which starts with the auspicious word ‘Swathi Shree’ is dated 1384 AD.

The inscription mentions charity offered by Malagarsa (son of Chowdarasa of Shree Mathu Vashista Gothra, a minister in the Mangalore kingdom that existed during the early period) to Murari Bhat, son of Mayi Deekshitha of Kashyapa gothra.
 
Interestingly, the writing mentions that the charity was offered to Murari Bhat during ‘Ardhodaya Punnyakala, which refers to ‘the auspicious event of Amavasya converging on Sunday in the month of Pushya or Magha, according to Dr Suresh Acharya, principal, Sanskrit College Udupi. Dr Acharya says charity offered on this particular day brings on a crore more blessings for the giver than charity on other days.

Though this inscription is of Vijaynagara time, neither the details of Vijaynagara dynasty nor the details about kings of that dynasty can be found.

Prof Murugeshi also noted two more interesting pieces of information. First, that the inscription also includes writings in ‘Ottelthu’ script. In the word ‘Chathusseeme,’ the last letters ‘me’ is written in ‘Grantha’ script.
 
Secondly, the inscription also points out the place ‘Konaje’ as Konaji written in Kannada. This will help in studying the origin and prehistoric period of Konaje.
 
Moreover, the diety ‘Mailari’ that is usually worshippedl in North Karnataka is mentioned in this inscription, thus throwing light on the study of the deity which may have been worshipped in Dakshina Kannada too in earlier days.

This inscription for the first time has mentioned about Giri Ganga Hegde of Alanthi Mare and Koovalam which has led to the study of medieval era of Tulunadu and its culture.
 
The inscription ends with the words ‘Mangala Maha Shree Shree Shree Shree Shree.

Prof T Murugeshi has thanked B M Rohini who helped him to go to the venue, Malathi V Kurup who permitted him to take the inscription to the college, Dr Y N Shetty and Prof Y Bhasker Shetty who assisted in shifting the inscription to the college and the students.