Experts: Govt must send team to Gyanvapi Mosque

BENGALURU: The discovery of a Kannada inscription on one of the beams in the northwest corner of Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, revealed in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey report, has several historians in Karnataka excited.

The inscription in Kannada letters from the mediaeval era has not only triggered confusion but also whipped up curiosity among epigraphists and historians on the background of the people in the inscription. Historians have demanded the state government send a team to trace the missing historical links to Karnataka's presence in Varanasi.

The Kannada inscription read: "Doddarasayyana Narasamanana Bhimnaha" (Plea by Doddarasayyana Narasimha). ASI has said in the report: "The inscription records the obeisance by two individuals - Doddarasayya and Narasimha. The inscription can paleographically be traceable to the 16th century."

PL Udaya Kumar, founder and project director (honorary), Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project at Mythic Society, said: "There are hundreds of such inscriptions in Karnataka and there is similarity - both in shape and form of letters. It may also be that the sculptor was the scribe and scholar as the letters have been accurately carved on stone. The persons named in the inscription may be from Vijayanagar empire days."

Historian Talakadu Chikkarangegowda, who has worked extensively on the history of southern Karnataka, said: "There are hundreds of Kannada inscriptions in Varanasi. There's evidence to show that several kings from ancient and medieval Karnataka ordered land grants to Kashi Vishwanatha temple... while a few of the many inscriptions have been recovered and retained, several historic links between Karnataka and Varanasi are missing."

Stating that the latest inscription could also refer to one of those contributions by Karnataka kingdoms, Chikkarangegowda said: "A lot of research will be needed to ascertain the background of people named in the inscription. They could either be from a royal family, wealthy merchants or chieftains. A field research by experts could reveal more such secrets and the state government must send a team of historians and epigraphists."