Jakkur Bengaluru Inscriptions

Jakkur, a suburb in Bengaluru, is a locality with a long history, spanning approximately 700 years. The name "Jakkur" is found in an inscription dated to 1342 CE, providing clear evidence of the locality's antiquity. This area is home to four inscriptions and several hero stones (''Veeragallu''). The earliest inscriptions found in the area can be dated paleographically to the 9th - 10th century CE. These inscriptions also suggest that Jakkur Lake, considered one of the largest lakes in Bangalore, existed at least seven centuries ago. Two hero stones have also been discovered in Jakkur: one is a Atmabalidana (self-sacrifice) memorial stone from the 10th century, and the other is a Maha-Sati stone from the 16th-17th centuries. Recent efforts have focused on the conservation of these historical markers.

Jakkur 1432 CE God Allalanatha inscription

This Kannada inscription documents the donation of a Garuda pillar to an Allalanatha temple in 1432 CE. Due to the worn condition of the letters, the full inscription cannot be completely deciphered.

Discovery and dating

The inscription was discovered near a roadside in December 2021 by K R Narasimhan and Dhanpal Manchenahalli and was later relocated nearby. Based on the date mentioned in the inscription, "''jayābhyudaya varuṣa 1354 paridāvi saṃ cayitra su 10''", it can be precisely dated to 10 April 1432 CE (Julian calendar).

Transliteration of the inscription

The inscription consists of nine lines. Digital images of each character, the inscription itself, a summary, and other information are available through t
Akshara Bhandara software
The transliterated text in Kannada and IAST is

Jakkur 1000 CE Kalnadu inscription

This Kannada inscription, paleographically dated to the 10th century CE, records the donation of a village to Sanjayappa. Villages donated to the families of martyrs who died protecting the village or kingdom were called "''kalnad/kalnatu''". The inscription contains the word "''Jakkiyu''," potentially an older name for Jakkur or a reference to "Yakshi". This inscription was discovered in 2017 by researchers K. R. Narasimhan and P. L. Udaya Kumar.

Transliteration of the inscription

The inscription has six lines. Digital images and related information are available throug
Akshara Bhandara software
The transliterated text in Kannada and IAST is

Translation

The inscription states that Kalnadu was given to Sanjapayya of Sunnadu (small country) Jakkur. It also records a curse upon anyone who destroys the grant, stating that such a person would incur the sin equivalent to killing ''Kavile'' (interpreted as a sacred cow) in Varanasi.

Jakkur 10th Century CE Prashasti inscription

This Kannada inscription, paleographically dated to the 10th century CE, is a significant epigraphic record found in Jakkur village. It documents a conflict between Ballavathirayanna, the ruler of Navalakka, and Birudasedeva of Gubetta. The inscription also indicates that Jakkuru village belonged to 'Gangavadithombattarusavira', an administrative division dating back to the Western Ganga period.

Discovery and dating

Discovered partially buried in a field by KR Narasimhan and Dhanapal Manchenahalli, the inscription was moved to KV Bhairegowda Kalamandir with the help of local residents. The inscription is dated paleographically to the 10th century CE.  

Transliteration of the inscription

The inscription has five lines. Digital images and related information are available throug
Akshara Bhandara software
The transliterated text in Kannada and IAST is provided in a table format is:

Jakkur 1342 CE Honnamarayanayaka Donation Inscription

This Kannada inscription is crucial for understanding the history of Jakkur. It records the donation of tax-exempt irrigated, rain-fed, pastoral, and waste lands of Jakkur, belonging to the dominion of Honnamaranayaka, a local feudal lord, to the "''nāḍa senabhova''" (Kannada: ನಾಡ ಸೇನಭೋವ) Allala. "''nāḍa senabhova''" were tax officers responsible for collecting village taxes. During this time, the area was ruled by the Hoysala king Veeraballala III from his capital, 'Unnamalepattana', the historical name of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. The inscription features symbols of the sun and moon, signifying the eternity of the donation, a common motif in historical Indian art. It also mentions unique administrative ranks of the time, such as "''mahāpasāyita''" (Kannada: ಮಹಾಪಸಾಯಿತ), an officer close to the king managing palace affairs, and "''yakkaṭiga''" (Kannada: ಯಕ್ಕಟಿಗ), special bodyguards to the king.

Discovery and dating

The inscription was first documented by B.L. Rice in Volume 9 of ''Epigraphia Carnatica'' and was rediscovered by historians in 2017. Based on the corresponding date in the Hindu calendar, the inscription can be precisely dated to 5 October 1342 CE (Julian calendar).

Transliteration of the inscription

Digital Images of each of the characters of this inscription, images of the inscription itself, summary and the other information about the inscription have been shared vi
Akshara Bhandara software

The inscription's text is available throug
Akshara Bhandara software
The text is provided in a table format below, showing the Kannada and IAST transliteration for both the front and back sides of the inscription stone.

Herostones (''Veeragallu'') and Memorial Sculptures

The areas of Jakkur and neighboring localities, including Allalasandra, Agrahara, and Dasarahalli, contain significant historical markers such as herostones (''Veeragallu'') and other memorial sculptures. These stone monuments offer insights into the history, traditions, beliefs, and acts of bravery from their respective periods.

Purpose and Types

Herostones were generally erected to commemorate individuals who displayed valor and sacrificed their lives. Some stones specifically honor individuals who performed voluntary self-sacrifice (''Atmabalidana Veeragallu''), potentially for societal welfare, to ensure victory, or in the belief of attaining liberation (''moksha''). In certain instances, a hero's spouse might also undertake self-sacrifice following the hero's death.

Notable Finds

Source:
* A 10th-century couple's memorial sculpture, identified as an ''Atmabalidana Veeragallu'', was discovered in Jakkur, partially buried alongside a 1342 CE inscription. Following guidance from citizen historians K.R. Narasimhan and Dhanapal Manchenahalli, this sculpture is now conserved at the K.V. Bhaire Gowda Kala Mandira complex in Jakkur.
* Remains of a destroyed Shaiva temple in Jakkur include Shaiva ''Dvarapalaka'' (doorkeeper) sculptures and broken pillars, found with a fragmented inscription. Plans exist to relocate these for conservation at the K.V. Bhaire Gowda Kala Mandira complex.
* A skirmish herostone has been discovered at Agrahara. Herostones in Dasarahalli have been identified and conserved by local residents.
* A herostone in Yelahanka, near Allalasandra, commemorated a dog named Chamundi that died fighting a pig, erected by its master. This stone reportedly disappeared during lake renovation. 
* A ''Maha-Sati'' herostone has been discovered in a residence at Telecom Layout, Jakkur.

Conservation Efforts

Many inscriptions, herostones and sculptures in the Jakkur area were initially neglected, with local residents reportedly unaware of their historical significance. Citizen historians K.R. Narasimhan, Dhanapal Manchenahalli and P L Udaya Kumar guided villagers in conservation efforts. The 10th-century Atmabalidana Veeragallu from Jakkur is now conserved at the K.V. Bhaire Gowda Kala Mandira complex. In Allalasandra, a resident named Somasekhar relocated an inscription to safety after attending an awareness program. Expert assistance was provided for conservation work, including rejoining a broken inscription in Agrahara.

Gallery

See also

* Indian inscription
* Kannada inscription
* History of Bangalore

References

{{Reflist

Monuments and memorials in Karnataka
Kannada inscriptions
10th-century inscriptions
Kannada literature
Literature of Karnataka
Inscription stones of Bengaluru
History of Bengaluru
Indian inscriptions
History of Karnataka