Rare inscription belonging to Alupa King Basava Shankara Alupendra era found

Mangaluru: A rare inscription with unique carvings has been found at Huyyaru of Haladi village in Kundapur Taluk recently.

The discovered inscription is a rectangular stone slab conical at the top. It is about 5 feet in height, 2.5 feet in width, and 3.5 inches in thickness. Though the writings are almost worn out, Shirva MSRS College Ancient History and Archaeology department Associate Professor Prof T Murugeshi and his team were able to read some of the words. Based on the Kannada script and language Prof T Murugeshi has concluded it to be dating back to the 14th century.

“It has some uncommon features which were not found in any inscription so far in the region. Usually, the inscriptions have a deity at the top and writings below. But this one does not have any engraving of a deity at the top. The inscription begins directly. Only a few letters can be read. We have identified the words “Basava....... So ....” in the third line. In the last line, Vasanthayy Barada is clearly visible. Based on this we have concluded that the inscription belongs to Alupa King Basava Shankara Soyideva Alupendra who ruled from Barakuru from 1315 to 1335,” Murugeshi told Deccan Chronicle.

The interesting feature of the inscription is in the next half of the inscription.  Below the writing is a small square strip with images. It has a huge Shivaling placed on the back of a Bull. On the right side there is a cow feeding the calf and to the left is a standing bull. A small bull in standing posture is carved on a plinth.

“The entire depiction is itself unique and uncommon. The inscription is historically and culturally very important. The huge Shivling rests on an ornamented bull seated on a pedestal. It is not only unique but symbolizes the King. One of the famous titles of King Soyideva Alupendra is Basava Shankara. The Bull in the carving represents ‘Basava’ and Linga represents ‘Shankara.’ Also, the cow feeding her calf represents a donation given for feeding Brahmins,” Murugeshi opines.

He adds that the two other bulls in the inscription are Haiguli and Gendada Haiguli, the two deities worshipped in the region.