Udaya Kumar P.L.

How old is Bengaluru? Try 2500 million years. 🪨 In Ep 16 of Jimmy Jimmy The Show, I uncover the city's real history—from Lalbagh rocks formed near Antarctica to the first "Bengaluru" inscription (900 CE). Watch the full story here: youtu.be/QqAwnYTbi2o @inscriptionblr

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐮: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏4 – 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐤𝐢 🕰📜 Sarakki, located in south Bengaluru, preserves one of the early records of the locality’s name in an inscription dated to around 900 CE from Begur. In this inscription, the place appears with the name Sāṟaki, showing that the locality was already known in records of that period. An agrahara at Sarakki further shows that the place has a rich historical past. Agraharas were established for Brahmins as centres of learning and religious activity, and supported a self-sustaining community. A sati stone dated to the 13th century has also been found at Sarakki. Such stones were raised in memory of women who sacrificed themselves on the funeral pyre of their deceased husbands, reflecting the social and cultural practices of that time. The images show the 3D digital scans of the Begur inscription, where the name Sāṟaki appears on stone, preserving this early reference to the locality. For in-depth information and further reading, kindly refer to the Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begur_ins… 📍Present location of the Inscription stone: Government Museum, Kasturba Road, Bengaluru Google Map link to the inscription site: maps.app.goo.gl/m6e1ur2Ms6mnsv… Courtesy – The Mythic Society – Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project Team #WhispersOfStone #AncientNamesAcrossCenturies #BengaluruHistory #AncientBengaluru #Kannada #AncientKannada #InscriptionStonesOfBengaluru #Epigraphy #DigitalEpigraphy #Inscriptions #Archaeology #HeritageDocumentation #MythicSociety #MoreThanITCity #NammaBengaluru #Sarakki #bengalurucity

"If things in our country work, they seem to work despite the authorities, not because of them." My article examines the vast chasm between India’s world-class innovators and our "labyrinthine" public institutions. Read here: udayakumarpl.substack.com/p/8eb #India #Governance #DeepTech

In which @tweetenator talks about connecting with, learning about, understanding and acting for place. Hebbala, in this case. // @pluday 's work, as always, is fascinating. sathya-sankaran.medium.com/hebbal-kittayy…

40 Concerned Citizens of Bluru write to @KridePrm to expedite #BSRP,particularly GAME CHANGER C1 Letter handed over to KRIDE MD Shri LakshmanSingh who appreciated our concerns&assured to look into them Copies sent to all concerned Govt Functionaries incl our 5MPs @PMOIndia

An article by me about the lakes of Bengaluru in the Deccan Herald today. deccanherald.com/india/karnatak… #LakesOfBengaluru #WaterHeritage #History #AncientEngineering #DeccanHerald #HistoryOfBengaluru

Is valor only for royalty? Join me at Param’s Makers’ Adda this Friday to uncover the stories of Bengaluru's everyday heroes. 🗓️ Mar 6, 2026 | 5:30 PM 📍 Jayanagar, Bengaluru 🎟️ Free Entry! #ParamVichara #BengaluruHistory #Veeragallu #NammaBengaluru #HeroStones @inscriptionblr

An article by me about Bengaluru locality names in the Deccan Herald today. deccanherald.com/india/karnatak… #BengaluruHistory #CityNamesMatter #PlaceNames #UrbanHeritage #HeritageStories #CulturalMemory #HistoryInNames #BengaluruStories

Looking past #Bengaluru's concrete: A terrain that lives in its names, writes @pluday deccanherald.com/india/karnatak… via @deccanherald

@vishuguttal Changing times. IITM thru its incubation cell is getting richer every day while also making a big difference to the country . Their online BS programs are game changers . I don't see IISc adapting similarly .

IISc Budget down by 55 crores (900 cr to 845 cr): shiksha.com/news/engineeri…

ಶಿಲೆಗಳ ಪಿಸುಮಾತು: ಶತಮಾನಗಳ ಪುರಾತನ ಹೆಸರುಗಳು - ಭಾಗ 8 – ಜಕ್ಕೂರು 📜 ಜಕ್ಕೂರು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಉತ್ತರ ಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುವ ಒಂದು ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಬಡಾವಣೆ. ಇದು ಕನಿಷ್ಠ ಸಾವಿರ ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಸುದೀರ್ಘ ಇತಿಹಾಸವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದು, ಸಾ.ಶ.1000 ಕಾಲದ ಒಂದು ಕನ್ನಡ ಶಾಸನದಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಊರನ್ನು "ಜಕ್ಕಿಯೂರು" ಎಂದು ಕರೆಯಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಸಂಜಪಯ್ಯ ಎಂಬ ವೀರನು, ಗ್ರಾಮದ ಹಿತರಕ್ಷಣೆಗಾಗಿ ಯಾವುದೋ ಒಂದು ಹೋರಾಟದಲ್ಲಿ ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರಾಣವನ್ನು ಅರ್ಪಿಸಿದ ವೀರತ್ವದ ಕಥೆಯನ್ನು ಜಕ್ಕೂರಿನ ಈ ಕಲ್ನಾಡು ಶಾಸನ ತಿಳಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಕಲ್ನಾಡು ಅಂದರೆ ಪ್ರಾಣ ತ್ಯಾಗ ಮಾಡಿದ ವೀರನ ಸ್ಮರಣಾರ್ಥವಾಗಿ, ಇವನ ಕುಟುಂಬದವರಿಗೆ ದಾನ ನೀಡಿದ ಭೂಮಿಯನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸಲು ನೆಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಕಲ್ಲುಗಳು. ಇವುಗಳನ್ನು ವೀರನ ಬಲಿದಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಗೌರವಾರ್ಥವಾಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಹಿಂದಿನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಯುದ್ಧ ಅಥವಾ ಸಂಘರ್ಷದ ಸಂದರ್ಭಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಊರಿನ ಪರವಾಗಿ ಹೋರಾಡಿ ಮಡಿದ ವೀರರ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳನ್ನು ಅಂದಿನ ಸಮಾಜವು ಅನಾಥವಾಗಿ ಬಿಡುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವರಿಗೆ ಭೂಮಿ ಅಥವಾ ಇನ್ನಿತರ ದತ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಅವರ ಜೀವನ ಸುಗಮವಾಗಿ ನಡೆಯುವಂತೆ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಇದು ಅಂದಿನ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಸಮಾಜದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಪರಸ್ಪರ ಕಾಳಜಿ ಮತ್ತು ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಎತ್ತಿ ತೋರಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಅಧ್ಯಯನಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಕೆಳಗೆ ನೀಡಿರುವ ವಿಕಿಪೀಡಿಯ ಲಿಂಕ್ ನೋಡಿ: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakkur_in… ಶಾಸನವಿರುವ ಸ್ಥಳದ ಗೂಗಲ್ ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ಲಿಂಕ್: maps.app.goo.gl/fssRuaUytXvuks… ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: ದಿ ಮಿಥಿಕ್ ಸೊಸೈಟಿ – ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಶಾಸನಗಳ 3ಡಿ ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಯೋಜನಾ ತಂಡ. #WhispersOfStone #AncientNamesAcrossCenturies #Jakkur #Jakkiyu #BengaluruHistory #AncientBengaluru #Kannada #AncientKannada #InscriptionStonesOfBengaluru #HeroStones #Kalnadu #Kalnatu #Epigraphy #DigitalEpigraphy #Inscriptions #Archaeology #HeritageDocumentation #MythicSociety #MoreThanITCity #NammaBengaluru

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞: 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 8 – 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐤𝐮𝐫 🕰📜 Jakkur is a historic locality in northern Bengaluru with a recorded history of nearly a thousand years. This is evident from a Kannada inscription stone dated to 1000 CE, in which the place is referred to as Jakkiyu(r). The inscription records a man named Sanjapayya, sacrificed his life for the welfare of the village. In recognition of his sacrifice, donations were granted to his family, and a commemorative inscription stone was erected. Such memorial stones are known as Kalnāḍu or Kalnāṭu. These memorial stones were set up during periods of conflict, when individuals either fought on behalf of the village or sacrificed their lives to protect it from harm. Grants were given to support the families of such heroes, ensuring they could continue their livelihoods without hardship. This practice highlights the strong sense of shared responsibility and care that existed within early village communities. For in-depth information and further reading, kindly refer to the Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakkur_in… Google Maps Link: maps.app.goo.gl/fssRuaUytXvuks… Courtesy – The Mythic Society – Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project Team. #WhispersOfStone #AncientNamesAcrossCenturies #Jakkur #Jakkiyu #BengaluruHistory #AncientBengaluru #Kannada #AncientKannada #InscriptionStonesOfBengaluru #HeroStones #Kalnadu #Kalnatu #Epigraphy #DigitalEpigraphy #Inscriptions #Archaeology #HeritageDocumentation #MythicSociety #MoreThanITCity

#Bengaluru made-up of 400 hallis (villages), 200 uru-puras (towns-settlements), 45 agrahara-mangalas, several sandras (tanks), palyas (camps), kattes (hangouts) and thotas (gardens)... @pluday's tribute to the many names that make our city. #BengLur

I write about the agraharas, sandras, palyas, and petes of Bengaluru in @DeccanHerald today.

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞: 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 7 – 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢 🕰📜 Chikkabettahalli is a historic locality within north‑western Bengaluru. Its history is closely linked to Singapura and its old temple traditions. The earliest known mention of Chikkabettahalli is in a 1524 CE Kannada inscription, where the place is referred to as Cigabĕṭhahal‌i. Chikkabettahalli has an inscription of Singappanayaka dated to 1524 CE which is now preserved in the Anjaneya Swamy Temple at Chikkabettahalli. The inscription records that the entire village of Chikkabettahalli was donated to the deity Tiruvengalanatha (Varadarajaswamy Temple) in Singapura. This grant by Singappanayaka was meant to support amrutapadi-naivedya (special food offerings) and the activities of the Ramanujakoota (religious gatherings and discourses). This shows how closely Chikkabettahalli and Singapura were connected through Sri Vaishnava traditions in that period. The inscription was found in a neglected state behind the temple and was later cleaned and set up again with the help of local residents. The images show the 3D digital scans of the 1524 CE Chikkabettahalli inscription and highlight the word Cigabĕṭhahal‌i as it appears on stone. ​ For in-depth information and further reading, kindly refer to the Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapura… Google Maps Link: maps.app.goo.gl/3KdYQ3bgcdUAeF… Courtesy – The Mythic Society – Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project Team. ​ #WhispersOfStone #AncientNames #BengaluruHistory #AncientBengaluru #Kannada #AncientKannada #InscriptionstonesOfBengaluru #MythicSociety #DigitalEpigraphy #Epigraphy #History #Archaeology #Inscriptions #MoreThanITCity #NammaBengaluru #VijayanagaraEmpire #Chikkabettahalli

🏛 The Mythic Society at India Science Festival 2026 We are pleased to announce that The Mythic Society will be participating in the 7th edition of the India Science Festival (ISF) at IISER Pune! Udaya Kumar P. L., Hon. Project Director of the Bengaluru Inscriptions Digital Conservation Project, will deliver an expert session on our groundbreaking work in preserving history through technology. 📌 Topic: Digital Epigraphy at the Mythic Society, Bengaluru 🗓 Date: Saturday, 10 January 2026 ⏰ Time: 1:20 PM – 2:05 PM 📍 Venue: Cosmos Hall (Smt. Indrani Balan Science Activity Centre), IISER Pune This session will explore how 3D scanning and digital conservation are being used to safeguard Bengaluru's 1,300-year-old epigraphical heritage. 🔗 Register for free here: indiasciencefest.org Join us in celebrating science the ISF way! 🛰 #MythicSociety #ISF2026 #DigitalEpigraphy #HeritageConservation #BengaluruHistory #IISERPune @pluday @inscriptionblr

𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟔 – 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐫 🕰📜 Pattandur, located in the eastern region of present-day Bengaluru, finds its earliest known historical reference in an inscription dated to 1044 CE, presently located in a cemetery at Kadugodi. In this record, the place is referred to by the name Pattandur. The inscription records the charitable works of Rajarajavelan, son of Permadi Kumuntan (Gamunda) of Sannai Nadu. He undertook the construction of a water tank at Pattandur, highlighting the importance of irrigation in the region’s agricultural landscape. In addition to this work, Rajarajavelan donated 750 kuli (a traditional land-measurement unit) and installed three outlets (sluices) highlighting the importance of irrigation in the region's agricultural landscape. He also installed the deities Durga, Kshetrapala, and Ganapati, indicating the close link between public works, land grants, and religious patronage. The images shared here show the 3D digital scans of the 1044 CE inscription from Kadugodi, with the reference to Pattandur highlighted as it appears on stone. A Google Maps link to the inscription site: maps.app.goo.gl/SnzyXCtHpzMn4u… Courtesy – The Mythic Society – Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project Team #WhispersOfStone #AncientNames #BengaluruHistory #AncientBengaluru #Kannada #AncientKannada #InscriptionstonesOfBengaluru #MythicSociety #DigitalEpigraphy #Epigraphy #History #Archaeology #Inscriptions #MoreThanITCity #NammaBengaluru #Tamil #TamilInscripton #bengaluru

ಶಿಲೆಗಳು ಹೇಳುವ ಕಥೆಗಳು: ಶತಮಾನಗಳಾಚೆಗಿನ ಹೆಸರುಗಳು - ಭಾಗ 5 - ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರದ ವಾಯುವ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಕಂಡುಬರುವ ಬಡಾವಣೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ "ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರವು" ಒಂದು ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಹಾಗೂ ಪಾರಂಪರಿಕ ಸ್ಥಳ. ಇದರ ಪ್ರಾಚೀನ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖ ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರದ ವರದರಾಜಸ್ವಾಮಿ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಬಳಿ ಇರುವ ಸಾ.ಶ.1528ರ ಕನ್ನಡ ಶಿಲಾಶಾಸನದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರದ ವರದರಾಜ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ದೇವಾಲಯವು ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದು, ಶಾಸನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇದನ್ನು ತಿರುಮಲೆ ದೇವರು ಹಾಗೂ ತಿರುವೆಂಗಳನಾಥ ಎಂದು ಕರೆಯಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ಈ ಶಾಸನಗಳ ಆಧಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರವು ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಆರಾಧನಾ ಕೇಂದ್ರವಾಗಿತ್ತೆಂದು ಹೇಳಬಹುದು. ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರದ ಸಾ.ಶ.1528ರ ನಲಪನಾಯ್ಕನ ದಾನ ಶಾಸನವು ಬೇಟೆರಾಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಸಿಂಗಪ್ಪನಾಯಕರಿಗೆ ಪುಣ್ಯ ಲಭಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ಗದ್ದೆಯನ್ನು ದಾನ ನೀಡಿರುವುದನ್ನು ದಾಖಲಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದೇ ಶಾಸನದಲ್ಲಿ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಸೇವೆಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ 'ಪಾತ್ರಭೋಗ'ದ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖವೂ ಸಹ ಇದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನೀಡಿರುವ ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರ ಶಾಸನದ 3D ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ “ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರ” ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ನೀವು ಗಮನಿಸಬಹುದು. ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಅಧ್ಯಯನಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಕೆಳಗೆ ನೀಡಿರುವ ವಿಕಿಪೀಡಿಯ ಲಿಂಕ್ ನೋಡಿ: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapura… ಶಾಸನವಿರುವ ಸ್ಥಳದ ಗೂಗಲ್ ನಕ್ಷೆ ಲಿಂಕ್- maps.app.goo.gl/wRsxv2u1Z2YhsM… ಚಿತ್ರಕೃಪೆ: ಮಿಥಿಕ್ ಸೊಸೈಟಿ – ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಶಾಸನಗಳ 3D ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣಾ ತಂಡ #WhispersOfStone #AncientNames #BengaluruHistory #AncientBengaluru #Kannada #AncientKannada #InscriptionstonesOfBengaluru #MythicSociety #DigitalEpigraphy #Epigraphy #History #Archaeology #Inscriptions #MoreThanITCity #NammaBengaluru #VijayanagaraEmpire #Singapura

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞: 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟓 – 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐚 🕰📜 Singapura, a historic area in north-western Bengaluru, is one of the city’s important heritage sites. Its earliest known mention appears in a 1528 CE Kannada inscription, where the place is called Singapura. Singapura is home to the the historic Varadaraja Swamy Temple, earlier known as the Tiruvengalanatha Temple, which was an important centre of worship during that period. The 1528 CE Singapura Nalapanayaka donation inscription records the donation of wetlands by Nalapanayaka, a likely local official, for the religious merit of Singappanayaka and Beteraya of Singapura. The inscription also refers to Patrabhoga, a ritual service connected with temple performances. The images show the 3D digital scans of the 1528 CE Singapura Inscription and highlight the word Singapura as it appears on stone. For in-depth information and further reading, kindly refer to the Wikipedia link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapura… Google Maps Link: maps.app.goo.gl/wRsxv2u1Z2YhsM… Courtesy – The Mythic Society – Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project Team. #WhispersOfStone #AncientNames #BengaluruHistory #AncientBengaluru #Kannada #AncientKannada #InscriptionstonesOfBengaluru #MythicSociety #DigitalEpigraphy #Epigraphy #History #Archaeology #Inscriptions #MoreThanITCity #NammaBengaluru #VijayanagaraEmpire #Singapura

A scathing front page report in @DeccanHerald today on heritage destruction and the apathy of archaeology departments. deccanherald.com/india/karnatak…

@ashwinmahesh Thank you for dropping in. I am sure we can work together to showcase the history of our beautiful city to many , many more people .

Visited The Mythic Society today to look at the fantastic work by Udaya Kumar of documenting the inscription stones from history scattered throughout the Bengaluru region. I found this one quite fascinating - it contains the names of nine villages that are still known today as neighbourhoods of the city, and it is over 1100 years old. Apart from unearthing these, there has also been a lot of work done in figuring out the writings on each stone, as well as imaging them for more detailed study. Looking forward to figuring out how to take this history to different parts of the city and also thinking about how it can be replicated elsewhere now that so much work on this has happened here in Bengaluru. A lot of places in the country can study and document history this way, because surely such stones are everywhere in the subcontinent given its long history.