This story is from August 29, 2017

Shivamogga engraving shows Kannada was in use 7 decades earlier than known

Recent archaeological excavations in Shivamogga district have turned the clock back on Kannada, proving that it was in use seven decades earlier than believed.
Shivamogga engraving shows Kannada was in use 7 decades earlier than known
The site near Talagunda in Shivamogga where the inscription was found.
BENGALURU: Recent archaeological excavations in Shivamogga district have turned the clock back on Kannada, proving that it was in use seven decades earlier than believed.
Until now, the Halmidi inscription, discovered in 1936 in Hassan district, which dated to 450 CE, was considered the oldest inscription in Kannada. Now, the Archaeological Survey of India says another inscription it found near Talagunda in Shivamogga district is 70 to 80 years older than the Halmidi one.
Archaeological expert T M Keshava, former deputy superintending archaeologist, ASI, said based on archaeological signs, palaeographical features and circumstantial evidence, it has been concluded that the inscription found at Talagunda relates to a period earlier to Halmidi. "A detailed report in this regard is being prepared," Keshava added.
Keshava said though the inscription was found during an excavation near the famous Pranaveshwara temple in Talagunda about two years ago, the process of dating it was concluded recently after detailed analysis and comparisons of the same with palaeographical features of other ancient Kannada inscriptions. "The inscription we found looks like a dana shasana (grant inscription) and describes a grant awarded by a local administrator, Chandraditya to a barber," he said. Talagunda, earlier known as Sthanagundur, is one of the first agraharas (place of learning) in Karnataka.
Keshava explained that the inscription at Talagunda has fewer words than that at Halmidi and the grammar seems older too. "The Talagunda inscription has Kannada words such as kotta (gave), nalku (Four) and halibi (remaining). This is the first ancient inscription in which the word navida (barber) has been found," he said.
B S Guruprasad, acting treasurer at the Karnataka Itihasa Academy and an epigraphist, described the discovery as a milestone in the history of Kannada language. "The archaeologists have gone deep, excavating five levels at Talagunda. The place is significant in the history of Karnataka as various dynasties including the Satavahanas, Kadambas, Gangas and Chalukyas have ruled this region. The new inscription needs to be further studied to understand more about the origin of the language and people who used the language in that era," he said.

Sources in the ASI said since the inscription was not in good shape, it had been decided to place it in the temple premises as moving it could damage it further.
Talagunda, located in Shikaripur taluk of Shivamogga district, dates back to the era of the Kadambas (345-525 CE), an ancient dynasty that ruled the Karnataka region. Kadamba rulers were the first indigenous dynasty to use Kannada in administration.
Talagunda was the birth place of Mayurasharma, who founded the Kadamba dynasty in 345 CE. "The Pranaveshwara temple here was of utmost importance to Mayura, who upgraded it and called in scholars to start Vedic teachings. The inscription is believed to have been done by one of his descendants. It is located on one of the steps of the ancient temple premises. Simha katanjana (lion characteristics) found here are unique to the Kadamba dynasty," said an ASI official.
The Kadamba dynasty was at its peak during the reign of Kakusthavarma, whose territory covered most of modern-day Karnataka. The Halmidi inscription found in Hassan belongs to the period of Kakusthavarma.
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