New Kalyana Chalukya-Era Inscription Discovered At Lakkundi
The inscription, written in Kannada language and script, is a fragmentary record consisting of 13 lines: Reports
GADAG: A new stone inscription belonging to the Kalyana Chalukya period has been discovered at Kattihal in the historic town of Lakkundi, throwing fresh light on the administrative and religious history of the 12th century.
The inscription, written in Kannada language and script, is a fragmentary record consisting of 13 lines. Preliminary study by experts has identified it as belonging to the reign of Chalukya emperor Jagadekamalla II, who ruled between 1139 CE and 1149 CE.
The inscription carries references to the Chalukya royal eulogy and points to the reign of Jagadekamalla II.
It contains references to administrative regions such as Kuntalanadu and Masavadi. The inscription also praises a Mahamandaleshwara, a feudatory chief serving under Jagadekamalla II, though his name is not available as portions of the inscription are damaged and missing.
The inscription begins with an invocation to Lord Shiva and thus it is likely to be related to a land grant made to a Shaivite temple in the region.
Lakkundi was an important administrative center of Chalukya Rulers.
The inscription was brought to the attention of researchers by Basappa Musukinabavi and it was studied by Dr R Shejeshwar, Director of the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, along with noted epigraphist Dr Ravikumar K. Navalagund.
