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Karnataka
bears a history of about 2000 years and occupies sixth place in its
extent in India. It is said that the name Karnataka is derived from 'Karu-nadu'
meaning black soil, or 'Kammitthu-nadu' meaning fragrance; it also means
that it is a land situated at height. Huientsang the Chinese traveller
who visited Karnataka has called the land 'Moholacha' (Maharashtra). 'Karu-nadu'
means Maharashtra in Sanskrit.
There are more than 30,000 inscriptions in
Kannada distributed in and outside the state. It is interesting to note
that many inscriptions also found in the neighbouring states such as
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and also at distant places in
Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Majority of these bear a religious
background and also plying down the foundation for the culture of the
land and consists of stone inscriptions as well as copper plates. These
furnish an exuberant information with regard to social, political and
historical information of the period. The most ancient inscriptions of
Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor are found in Maski (Raichur District), Gavi
Mutt (Koppal) and Brahmagiri, Siddapur and Jatinga Rameshwara (Chitradurga
District), Nittur, Udagolam in Bellary District and also in Sannathi (Gulbarga
district). The Mayura Verma inscription found in Chandravalli in
Chitradurga district; Pulikeshi II's inscription of Aihole; Halmidi
inscription of Belur taluk (Hassan district); The Kadamba king
Shanthiverma's Talagunda inscription of Shikaripur taluk (Shimoga
district); Ravi Verma's inscription (Uttar Kannada district), Kappe
Arabhatta's inscription of Badami and Laskhmidhara amatya's inscription of
Vijayanagara constitute the most resourceful historical commodity for a
comprehensive understanding of the heritage of the land. Furthermore it
is noteworthy to record that more than 800 inscriptions are found in
Shravanabelagola alone. These are of great help for understanding of the
antiquity of Brahminic, Jain and Buddhist establishments. Many hero
stones designated as garudass, Lenkas, Velevalis, Shulabradras,
Julavadis, Mahasathi and Nishadi stones are found scattered all over
Karnataka.
Karnataka was ruled by many powerful
dynasties these include Mauryas, Shathavahanas of Pythana, Kadambas of
Banavasi, Chalukyas of Badami, Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta, Kalyana
Chalukyas, Talakadu Gangas, Kalachuryas of Mangalavada, Hoysalas of
Dwarasamudra, Vijayanagara kings, Adilshahis of Bijapur, Mughal kings,
Mysore Wodeyars and the British. Further more Yadavas of Devagiri, Goa
Kadambas, Nolambas, Keladi and Ikkeri kings, Shilharas of Tagara,
Kolhapur and Akkalakote, Shenavanas of Kudalore, Sathas and Salavas of
Hombuja and also Chengalvas, Kongalvas, Latas, Sindhas of Yelburgi,
Malavas, Bhojas, Banas of Parige, Chutus, Alupas of Udyavara, Guttas of
Guttal, Nalas of Bellary and Kurnool area, Punnatas of Keerthipura,
Pandyas of Uchhangi, Rattas of Saudatthi, Cholas of Nidigal and Veng,
Sangama - Saluva - Tulu and Aravidu dynasties of Vijayanagara kingdom,
Nayakas of Haleri, Bedas of Halagali, Nawabs Palegars, Desais and
Inamdars and also small provincial inheritants of Biligi and Haduvalli
have ruled different parts of Karnataka.
Kannadigas have inherited a great culture
in their day to day life. They have always aspired for happiness &
tranquility, tolerance, affluence, cooperation and coexistence. Their veritable
contribution to art, literature, culture and religion have enriched the
values of life. They have offered shelter and extended generosity to many
scholars who hailed from neighbouring areas of Karnataka and to mention a
few Sri Ramanujacharya from Tamil Nadu, Srinatha, Jakkanna and Janmamanthri from Andhra Pradesh.
Art and architecture flourished well in
Karnataka. Many temples, palaces, forts and fortresses have attracted the
tourists in a magnetic scale. The temple mainly belonged to the Northern
and Southern styles and also an amalgamation of the two called vesara.
Pattadakal, Aihole and Badami
Chalukyan temples were the abode of many experiments carried out on mega
stones. Many cave temples and monuments were carved out of these big
rocks. A unique technical expertise, a water supply system was
observed meeting the needs of the people. Cave temples can also be made
out situated outside Karnataka as seen in Ellora and Elephanta caves.
Hoysala and Chalukyan temples are known for their filigree work
depicting the episodes of Ramayana and Mahabharatha. The Shilabalikas,
the dancers decorating walls
are outstanding sculptors unique to Hoysala and Chalukyan styles. The
palaces and administrative buildings which were evolved during the
Christian and Muslim rule are known for their architectural beauty and
gaiety.
The different religions lived in great
harmony and understanding. The great giants of various religions have
propagated humanity through their compositions, the vachana and dasa
literary forms are identified as the contributions of high order
enriching the glory of the land. The great luminaries such as Sarvagna,
Simhanandi, Pujyapada, Kundakunda, Samantha badhra, Elacharya,
Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Kanakadasa, Purandaradasa,
Jagannathadasa, Mahipatidasa and Shishunala Sherif and others are also virtuous
personalities who have made a great dent in Kannada literature and
Bakthi movement. Sringeri
Sharadamba, Hombuja Padmavathi, Sirsi Marikamba, Badami Banashankari,
Saudatthi Yellamma, Mysore Chamundeshwari and many other deities are
worshipped as goddesses of power.
The women folk have rendered surmountable
contribution to Kannada art, literature, religion, culture and political
administration. Mylaladevi of Kundur (Narendra), the daughter of king
Vikramaditya; Nijagallina Rani; the Kalyani Chalukya arasi Vijaya
Bhattarike; Chalukya Kuvari Akkadevi of Kusugadu; Rani Abbakkadevi;
Hariyaladevi; Kitturrani Chennamma; Belavadi Mallamma; Keladi Chennamma;
Chitradurga's Onake Obavva; Natyarani Shanthala; poetess Kanti;
Danachintamani Attimabbe; Helavanakatte Giriyamma; Sanchi Honnamma;
Kumara Mallamma; Gamaki Tirumalamba; Kodagina Gowaramma and
Jayadevathayi Ligade and many others have enriched Karnataka's heritage.
Kannadigas have always stood strongly to
fight against the invasive attitude of the enemies and proved their
valour in the war field. To mention a few among them, the loyal Echhama
Nayaka (Lakshmana Nayaka), Naragunda Babasaheb, Mundaragi Bheemaraya,
Bidanoor's Shivappa Nayaka, Dhondogi Wagh, Surapura's Venkatappa Nayaka,
Sangolli Rayanna, Yelahanka's Kempegowda, Chickaveerarajendra of Coorg,
Nayakas and Palegars of Chitradurga and Jagadevaraya of Channapattana
are the warriors who showed bravery.
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