This inscription provides crucial evidence for the Maratha administration in Bengaluru during the 17th century and confirms the existence of Mallapura (Malleshwaram) at that time.
Historical context: Maratha Rule in Bengaluru The Maratha presence in Bengaluru predates
Ekoji I. His father, Shahaji, a prominent Maratha general serving the Bijapur Sultanate, was granted Bengaluru as a
jagir (land grant). Shahaji used Bengaluru as his base for many years, and even Chhatrapati
Shivaji, the founder of the
Maratha Empire, spent some of his early years in the city with his mother, Jijabai. After Shahaji's death in 1664, his jagir was divided between his sons. Shivaji inherited the western portion and consolidated the Maratha territories there, while Ekoji I, also known as Venkoji, inherited the southern jagir, including Bengaluru and Thanjavur. Although they were half-brothers, Ekoji and Shivaji had different mothers and grew up largely in separate spheres of influence. While Shivaji focused on building an independent Maratha kingdom in the western Deccan, Ekoji consolidated his power in the south. Despite their geographical distance and differing political ambitions, they maintained contact and even exchanged letters. However, their relationship was complex and at times marked by rivalry, particularly concerning the division of their father's territories and resources. Although Ekoji eventually established his capital in Thanjavur, Bengaluru remained under Maratha control. This inscription from 1669 CE provides evidence of the Maratha administration and their engagement in the region.
The Donation Grant of 1669 CE The
Kannada inscription records the donation of Medaraninganahalli village to the Mallapura Mallikarjuna Temple by
Ekoji I. This grant was made at the request of the
bĕṃgulura mahanāḍu (assembly or people of Bengaluru), providing an early reference to the name "Bengaluru". The inscription effectively functioned as a royal edict, directing tax revenue from Medaraninganahalli to the temple instead of the king's treasury. The mention of Mallapura Mallikarjuna Temple suggests that the earlier name of Malleshwaram was Mallapura.
The Shapashaya (Imprecatory Verse) Following common practice for grants, the inscription includes a
Shapashaya, an imprecatory verse warning against violating the donation's terms. It states that violators, regardless of social class (
Brahmanas,
Kshatriyas,
Vaishyas,
Shudras), will face severe consequences, likened to the sin of killing a cow in
Kashi (Varanasi), or rebirth as a donkey, crow, or
Chandala (a historically marginalized social group). It also warns Muslims against interference, stating they would incur a sin equivalent to consuming pork in
Mecca. This is noted as the earliest inscription in the Bengaluru region to explicitly mention
Islam and its followers.
Physical characteristics of the inscription The inscription is engraved on a boulder, with the inscribed area measuring approximately 115 cm in height and 392 cm in width. The Kannada characters are approximately 8.3 cm tall, 6.5 cm wide, and 0.45 cm deep. It features symbolic engravings of the sun, moon, and a
linga (an aniconic symbol of the Hindu deity
Shiva). The sun and moon typically signify the grant's intended permanence ("as long as the sun and moon endure"), while the
linga indicates Shaivite religious context or authority.
Discovery and dating The inscription was first documented by B. L. Rice in the
Epigraphia Carnatica Vol. 9, Supplement, published in 1928. The inscription provides its date as "saumya saṃvatsarada mārgaśira śuddha lū," which corresponds to Monday, 25 November 1669 CE.
Transliteration and translation The inscription consists of seven lines. The transliteration of the text in
Kannada and
IAST, along with an English translation, is as follows.
Conservation Physical conservation The inscription stone, located at the Kadu Mallikarjuna temple in Malleshwaram, suffered damage from cement and paint splatters during construction work. In March 2021, conservation architect Yashaswini Sharma and Nilesh M Thakkar of Jeernodhar Conservators, in collaboration with Inscription Stones of Bengaluru, undertook pro bono cleaning and restoration.
Digital conservation Following physical restoration, the
Mythic Society's Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project created a 3D scan of the inscription in 2021, ensuring its digital preservation and accessibility.
The lost village of Medaraninganahalli The inscription records the donation of the village of Medaraninganahalli. However, this village no longer exists, as its lands were acquired for the construction of the
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) campus. An 1854 map of Bengaluru indicates that Medaraninganahalli would have spanned the eastern part of the IISc campus, the staff colony of CPRI, and the area beyond New BEL Road into CPRI. The name "Medaraninganahalli" is derived from three Kannada words: • "Medara": The name of a caste of bamboo weavers. • "Ninga": Likely a personal name. • "Halli": Meaning "village." The Medara community is found in various parts of
Karnataka,
Telangana, and
Tamil Nadu, particularly in the
Shivamogga and
Mysuru districts. They are skilled artisans who traditionally craft mats, baskets, ladders, and storage containers from bamboo. They would have gathered bamboo from nearby forests to create these essential items. The disappearance of Medaraninganahalli serves as a reminder of the constant evolution of landscapes and the impact of urbanization on traditional communities and settlements. == The Jakkarayanakere inscription ==