Date:09/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/09/stories/2008070950980200.htm

Karnataka

Remnants of a bygone era

Correspondent

Two 12th century inscriptions found near Chikmagalur

New treasure: The two inscriptions (left) and one of the six memorial stones found in Thalihalla, Chikamaglur district.

Chikmagalur: Two 12th century stone inscriptions and six memorial stones were discovered during the renovation of the village entrance arch in Thalihalla, 13 km from here, recently.

According to H.M. Nagaraja Rao, epigraphist, Hareesh Singatagere, advocate, helped decipher the inscriptions. Mr. Rao said one of them records the death of a warrior in a battle, during the reign of Hoysala king Bittideva (Vishnuvardhana). Pemmagonda, Pandaya, Thaliyahalla, are also mentioned in the inscription. The other stone records the death of a warrior in a clash with a tiger. The warrior is seen holding a bow in hand, and an arrow is seen piercing the tiger from behind.

Honabe, a local artisan, and his team are said to have sculpted the stone. It is mentioned that Hoysala king Udayaditya (younger brother of Vishnuvardhana) was ruling Thalihalla in 1117 A.D. At that time, the village was an administrative centre.

The six memorial stones indicate that the practice of “Sati” (wife jumping into the funeral pyre of her husband) was prevalent then. The women are depicted with long braided hair, and holding a lemon in the right hand.