Chikkabanavara, a bustling residential locality in North Bengaluru, serves as a remarkable example of how ancient history persists within the modern urban sprawl. While often viewed simply as a suburb, Chikkabanavara is a site of immense archaeological significance, anchored by a documented history exceeding a thousand years. This history is physically manifested through its ancient lake, a historic Kalyani (stepped pond), and a series of newly rediscovered inscriptions and hero stones that offer a window into the cultural and administrative life of medieval Karnataka.
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| Chikkabanavara Inscriptions,Karnataka en.wikipedia.org |
The Inscriptional Wealth of Chikkabanavara
Until recently, the inscriptional history of the area was largely based on a single record documented in Epigraphia Carnatica, Volume 9, which has since been lost. However, a significant breakthrough occurred in December 2021 when a local resident, Dileep Simha, discovered five more fragmented inscriptions during the restoration of the local Kalyani. These artifacts have since been meticulously documented by The Mythic Society Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project.
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| Chikkabanavara Inscriptions,Karnataka en.wikipedia.org |
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| Chikkabanavara Inscriptions,Karnataka en.wikipedia.org |
The discovered fragments range from the 14th to the 17th century. Among the most notable is a 14th-century Donation Inscription, which, despite its worn state, records the granting of land measured in kandugas. This stone was tragically being used as a cover for a roadside drain before its rescue—a stark reminder of the vulnerability of unprotected heritage. Another significant find is a 17th-century Shiva Stuti fragment, which bears the opening verse of the Harshacharita by the poet Bana, commonly used in Shaivite rituals. Other fragments mention "King Banasura" and "Naga Shasana," hinting at local mythological and administrative connections that remain partially shrouded in mystery due to the fragmented nature of the stones.
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| Bengaluru inscription thehindu.com |
Above image: An undocumented 13th centaury Tamil inscription at Chokkanathaswamy temple in Domlur, Bengaluru. According to The Hindu the Mythic Society, Bengaluru, that is revisiting 1,500 inscription locations to digitize them, has found as many as 43 undocumented inscriptions in and around the city. Among the 43, 22 are in Bengaluru while the rest have been identified in Anekal, Hoskote and Magadi taluks surrounding the city. The Mythic Society team further has found out, of these 22 new Kannada inscriptions and 21 Tamil inscriptions date back from the 8th century C.E. to 17th century C.E.The team covered many locations in Bengaluru - Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban and Ramanagara districts. The team uses hand-held digital scanners to scan the inscriptions .........
The Tradition of Hero Stones in Karnataka
Chikkabanavara also houses various Nagastones and memorial stones, which are part of a broader Karnataka tradition known as Veeragallu (Hero Stones). These monuments were erected to commemorate individuals who displayed exceptional bravery, often sacrificing their lives in cattle raids, village defense, or religious devotion. These stones, along with the land-grant inscriptions, form the backbone of Karnataka’s written history, providing precise dates, lineage information, and social customs that otherwise would have been lost.
The two inscriptions, dated 1033 CE, were found on stones in a grove in Kumbarahalli. The inscriptions — one in Kannada and the other in Tamil — denote "the boundary of God Sri Siddeshwara land" (Sri Siddeshwara devara bhumiya sime), the verbal approval sought by a person identified as Vamanayya from King Rajendra Chola 1 to donate the land to Siddeshwara, and the king’s order sanctioning the request.Another 1033 CE inscription in Tamil found on the basement of the Venu Gopalaswamy Temple in Ivar Kandapura states Vamanayya’s instructions to mark the donated land with an inscription.
Present Conservation and Challenges
The current state of conservation for these artifacts is a blend of local initiative and modern technology. The shift of the Chikkabanavara inscriptions to the precincts of the Kalyani has provided them with a safer, centralized location. Furthermore, the use of 3D laser scanning by The Mythic Society represents a leap forward in digital preservation. This technology creates high-resolution "digital twins," ensuring that even as the physical stones suffer from environmental weathering, the scripts remain legible for future epigraphists.
However, many artifacts remain scattered in the fields or reused in modern construction. The case of Chikkabanavara highlights the urgent need for community-led vigilance paired with institutional support to protect these "lithic archives" that define Bengaluru’s deep-rooted identity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inscription_stones_of_Bengaluru
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikkabanavara_inscriptions_and_hero_stones
