12th-Century Hoysala Inscription Discovered in Mandya: A Rare Cultural Bridge Between Karnataka and Tamilakam

A remarkable window into India’s medieval past has opened in Karnataka. For generations, devotees visiting the Sri Mahalakshmi Mandir in K. Bettahalli, located within the Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district, walked past a plain-looking white granite slab at the entrance without a second thought.

However, a recent breakthrough by epigraphists and archaeologists has revealed that this overlooked stone is an 850-year-old historical treasure. Scholars from the Mysuru-based Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK) have successfully recognized and deciphered a rare, previously unpublished inscription on the slab, shedding new light on the socio-political dynamics of the Hoysala Empire.

Unearthing the Reign of Hoysala King Narasimha I

According to CESCK experts, the nine-line inscription dates back to the glorious reign of Hoysala King Narasimha I (1152–1173 CE). Carved meticulously in the ancient Kannada script, the text itself is an extraordinary linguistic blend featuring Kannada, Tamil, and Sanskrit.

According to C. A. Shashidhara, a Junior Archaeologist at CESCK who initiated the find based on local inputs, the inscription formally opens with the traditional auspicious invocation “Svastishri” (May all be well). To cement its royal and holy authority, it is prominently flanked by carvings of the royal emblems—the shanka (conch) and the chakra (discus).

The Cross-Regional Footprint: Tamil Commanders in Karnataka

Beyond its linguistic beauty, the true value of the inscription lies in the narrative it preserves. CESCK Project Director N. M. Talwar revealed that the inscription records a significant land grant made by an individual named Karikudi Tillai Koottandi.

Koottandi was not an ordinary citizen; he was a Dandanayaka—a high-ranking military commander—of Tamil origin serving under the Hoysala crown. The records show that Koottandi formally donated the entire village of Mudana Battahalli (which is modern-day K. Bettahalli) to fund everyday rituals, maintenance, and seasonal festivals at the Sri Vittirunda (Krishna) Mandir. This ancient temple was located at Sri Yadava Narayana Chaturvedi Mangala, known today as the village of Keretonnuru.

“This discovery clearly proves that Tamilians held senior administrative and military positions within the Hoysala armed forces and actively patronized religious institutions across Karnataka. It reflects a deep, everyday cultural connection between the two regions that transcended language barriers,” noted Project Director N. M. Talwar.

Faith and Finance Across Medieval Borders

The land grant recorded on the white granite slab was far from an isolated act of charity. Renowned archaeologist N. S. Rangaraju pointed out that supplementary historical records recovered from nearby Tonnur (Kere) add fascinating economic context to this discovery.

The historical documents show that Commander Koottandi had previously purchased the exact tract of land for 80 gadyanas (the gold currency utilized during the Hoysala period) specifically to present it as a sacred donation to the deity. These cohesive findings show a deeply shared past where faith, regional administration, and linguistic identities effortlessly interwined across medieval boundaries.

A Race Against Time: The Urgent Need for Preservation

While the discovery brings immense joy to historians, it also serves as a stark warning about the fragile state of local heritage. The Sri Mahalakshmi Mandir has undergone extensive, modern renovations over the years. Unfortunately, these structural changes have permanently erased the vast majority of its original architectural identity.

Apart from the newly identified granite slab, very little remains of the temple’s structural antiquity except for a broken soapstone kalasha (sacred pot finial) situated near the sanctum. Furthermore, archaeologists discovered a short inscription on the pedestal of the main deity’s idol that reads “Sri Mahalakshmi Deviyaru” written elegantly in Hoysala-era script.

Archaeologist C. A. Shashidhara warned that the community is at a critical juncture: if these few surviving remnants are neglected or lost during future facelifts, an invaluable, 850-year-old chapters of regional history will vanish forever.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where exactly was the 12th-century Hoysala inscription discovered?

The inscription was identified on a white granite slab located at the entrance of the Sri Mahalakshmi Mandir in K. Bettahalli village, Pandavapura taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka.

2. Which ruler is associated with this ancient inscription?

The inscription dates back to the 12th century, specifically matching the reign of Hoysala King Narasimha I, who ruled the region between 1152 and 1173 CE.

3. What languages are used in the Mandya temple inscription?

While the text is written using the historical Kannada script, the content features a multilingual blend of Kannada, Tamil, and Sanskrit phrases, signifying a shared linguistic heritage.

4. Who was Karikudi Tillai Koottandi?

Karikudi Tillai Koottandi was a Dandanayaka (military commander) of Tamil origin who served under the Hoysala kingdom. He purchased land and donated an entire village to support a local Krishna temple.

Disclaimer

This article is curated for educational and informational purposes based on recent archeological updates and historical reports provided by the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK). Images used are for illustrative purposes.

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