Why in News
A hero stone (veera kallu) with an inscription in Kannada script used during 15-16th century has been found at Ulturu-Kattemane, near Gulladi in Kundapur Taluk of Udupi district in Karnataka.
Historical significance of the hero stone
A hero stone, also known as a vīragallu in Kannada or naṭukal in Tamil.
These stones are commemorative monuments erected in honor of warriors who died in battle.
They were common throughout South India from the 4th to the 18th centuries, and can be found in large numbers in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
The specific hero stone in the image you sent is difficult to identify without more information.
However, I can tell you some general things about the historical significance of these stones.
They provide valuable insights into social and military history.
The inscriptions on hero stones often detail the name of the deceased warrior, the circumstances of their death, and the battle in which they fought.
This information can help us to reconstruct the history of warfare in South India, as well as the social organization of different communities.
They reflect the cultural values of the time.
Hero stones often depict the deceased warrior in a heroic pose, armed with weapons and sometimes riding a horse.
This imagery reflects the warrior ethos of South Indian societies, which valued bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice.
They serve as a form of ancestor worship.
Hero stones were often erected near the place where the warrior died, and they were sometimes treated as sacred objects.
People would make offerings to the stones and pray to the spirits of the deceased warriors.
Hoysala Empire
Hoysalas were feudatories of chalukyas of Kalyana.
Dwarasamudra(Halebeedu) was their capital.
Sala was the founder of this dynasty.
He was succeeded by Vinayaditya and Balalla 1.
Vishnuvardhana(Bittideva) was greatest in Hoysala dynasty.
He completely routed Cholas from Gangavadi in battle of Talakadu, for this he got the title Talkadugonda.
In commemoration of this victory he built kirtinarayana temple at Talakadu and Chennakesavar temple at Beluru.
Religion:
Hoysalas patronized Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Jainism.
Vishnuvardhana followed Jainism.
He was influenced by Sri Ramanujacharya and converted into srivaishnavism.
Remember we discussed in Cholas history that Ramajunacharya left srirangam in Tamil nadu and settled in Melukote, Karnataka.
Literature:
Kannada and Sanskrit literature developed during this period.
Important literary works in Kannada are
Harihara-
Raghavanka- Harishchandracharite
Nemichandra- leelavati Prabhanda
Janna-
Art and Architecture:
Hoysalas combined Vesara and Dravida style and developed new Hoysala style.
Important features of this style are
Star shaped platform
The jagati around the temple is the open pradakshinapatha.
Polished pillar with variety of designs.
Elaborate carvings and beautifully carved madanika figures.
Vimana(shikara) in pyramidical shape.
Most of their temples in Bhumija style. In this style miniature shikara is carved on the outerwall of the temple.
COMMENTS