Historians say the discovery refers to Alupa ruler Kulashekara and his liegeman

A 900-year-old inscription was discovered at Polali Rajarajeshwari temple located on the outskirts of Mangaluru.

It was found during the ongoing renovation works of the temple. Moodabidri-based historian Dr Pundikai Ganapayya Bhat, who examined the inscription, said: “It is a 900-year-old Kannada inscription that was found on the left of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. It was used as a pedestal for the Nityabhisheka (daily worship) of the idol. It has a mention about Alupa ruler Kulashekara and his liegeman Biliveya Nambi.”

The inscription, 38 inches tall and 24 inch wide, has 20 lines of writing. Sculptures of two lions and a man along with a lady sitting between these lions are seen on the lower part of the inscription. A few scriptures in between have been damaged. It dates back to 1117 AD. Ganapayya said that the 14th line mentions Pandya Pattiga Deva which could be the title of the ruler — Kulashekara.

It has a mention of Alvakheda 6000, which means that the region was ruled by the Alupas. Three Veeragallus were also found. Dr B Rajashekarappa, a researcher from Chitradurga, has helped in understanding the inscription. The Alupas are a royal dynasty that ruled Tulunadu from 4th to 15th century. Kulashekaradeva was one of the prominent rulers of Alupa dynasty.

A brief history of Alupas

The Alupa of Tuluva race was a royal dynasty which ruled their native land, Tulunadu, which is now in coastal Karnataka. They independently ruled their kingdom, known as Alvakheda, since the beginning of the common era. Later, with the dominance of Kadambas from Banavasi, they became feudatory to them. With the changing political scenario, soon they became the vassals of the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara Rayas.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> News> State / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / September 20th, 2017