Activists seek protection of Veeragallu inscription

Mysuru: A 10th-century Veeragallu inscription linked to the Varuna Chalukyas era, associated with Chalukyas family, has been documented in Tagaduru village, Nanjangud taluk in Mysuru district, which is now sought to be protected by the activists.During a survey a decade ago, ASI epigraphist Nagarajappa discovered the inscription at Moolasthaneshwara temple. As similar kinds of inscriptions belonging to Chalukyas, Hoysalas, remained neglected in various historical places and villages of Mysuru district, the demand for its conservation and preservation grew louder. Various heritage and history enthusiasts demanded preservation of such Veeragallu in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts.The Veeragallu inscription of Tagaduru village was found during the conservation of Moolasthanehwara temple undertaken by the department of archeology, Museums and heritage department, which Nagarajappa has studied and documented for its importance.This village was an administrative division of Varuna Chalukyas during the medieval period. The inscription described this village as Hiriyamahinadu of Hadinarunaadu. So far, fifteen inscriptions of this village have been published in Epigraphia Carnatica.The inscription, which was discovered by Nagarajappa, depicted the heroism and death of a hero named Gotteyanna, son of Binayya, while rescuing cows in a cattle raid. It alludes to Gotteyanna as the pet servant of Goggi.Speaking to TOI, Superintending Epigraphist of the Archaeological Survey of India, Nagarajappa said that after he discovered it, he studied the history of the inscription. He said that he carried out the epigraphy study of this inscription under the supervision of DG Nagaraj since 2014-15 and documented this inscription. It is believed that it was left out from the studies of noted historian BL Rice, who also documented the other inscriptions of this village in Epigraphia Carnatica.Nagarajappa highlighted the need for preservation of such inscriptions that depict the history of our culture and language, which has a history of thousands of years. Several inscriptions remained neglected, buried under the temples, and they need to be conserved and preserved for future studies, he said.Meanwhile, heritage enthusiast Swaminathan Natarajan said that inscriptions belonging to Hoysala dynasty were lying in a state of neglect in Kumara Beedu and several other villages of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts. There is an urgent need for preservation of such inscriptions that depict our history and culture, he stated.