Swaminathan Natarajan@swamin400
Another quiet revelation from our veeragallu—stories that almost slipped through time, yet still speak with remarkable clarity.
During a survey of Mysuru district, senior epigraphist Shri S. Nagarajappa (ASI Epigraphy) documented a remarkable 10th-century Kannada inscription at the Mūlasthāneśvara temple in Thagaduru, Nanjangudu taluk.
What makes this even more interesting is that Shri B. L. Rice had earlier recorded a long inscription from the same temple—but not this one. The reason is simple yet profound: this veeragallu was buried during his visit and remained unseen. It is a reminder of how much still lies hidden, and why sustained, ground-level surveys in our villages remain invaluable.
The inscription commemorates Gotteyanna, a hero who gave his life while rescuing cattle during a raid—an act that reflects how deeply communities valued protection of livelihood and collective honour.
Its historical context adds another layer of significance. The record belongs to a lesser-known branch of the Chalukyas of Badami—the Chalukyas of Varuna—and refers to Gotteyanna as a manemagati to the Chalukya feudatory Goggi. A manemagati—akin to the Sanskrit kulaputra—was not merely a servant, but a deeply trusted member of the household, one who stood as family and protector, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice.
The hero stone itself becomes a narrative in stone. Across three sculptural panels, it captures his final battle, his ascent escorted by apsaras, and his place in the celestial realm—transforming memory into immortality.
These are not just carvings. They are voices of a society that honoured courage, loyalty, and sacrifice with quiet dignity.
@KarArchaeology will be restoring this Veeragallu shortly as per their veeragallu and Sashana preservation initiative in the district
#IndianHistory #Epigraphy #Karnataka #Archaeology #HeroStones
PC : Villagers
