Overview of the Discovery:
- A 7th-century AD inscription was recently unearthed at Madapura Lake in Nyamati taluk, Davangere district, Karnataka.
- The stone inscription measures five feet in length and consists of 17 lines in Old Kannada script.
- It is attributed to the reign of Vikramaditya I of the Badami Chalukya dynasty (ruled 654–681 AD).
- The discovery adds critical insight into the administrative systems, social organisation, and local governance of that era.
Vikramaditya I – Historical Context:
- Third son of the famed Chalukya ruler Pulakesin II.
- Ascended the throne post a turbulent period (642–655 AD) following his father’s defeat by the Pallavas.
Known for:
- Restoring order in the kingdom.
- Recapturing Vatapi (modern Badami) from the Pallavas.
- Strengthening administrative structure and asserting Chalukyan power in South India.
Significance of the Inscription:
- Records an administrative act by Singhavenna, an officer under Vikramaditya I:
- Tax exemption granted to local villagers—an early example of welfare governance.
- Land donation of six acres for lake construction, indicating state-supported irrigation and community development
- Sheds light on landholding patterns, local social dynamics, and public welfare policies of the Chalukyan period.
- Administrative Divisions: Mentions Ballavi, an administrative unit comprising approximately 70 villages.
Highlights:
- Existence of organized local governance structures.
- Decentralized administration and village-level autonomy during the 7th century AD.
- Cultural Continuity and Later Significance: The stone slab also features an incomplete relief sculpture from the 17th century AD.
The Badami Chalukyas are known for their contributions to temple architecture (e.g., Pattadakal, Aihole). Old Kannada inscriptions are key sources for reconstructing early Kannada language evolution and history of South India. Inscriptions as primary sources provide valuable data on economy, polity, language, religion, and social structures.
