Jakkur inscriptions and hero stones
Jakkur, a suburb in Bengaluru, is a locality with a long history, spanning approximately 700 years. The name "Jakkur" is found in an inscription dated to 1342 CE, providing clear evidence of the locality's antiquity. This area is home to four inscriptions and several hero stones. The earliest inscriptions found in the area can be dated paleographically to the 9th - 10th century CE. These inscriptions also suggest that Jakkur Lake, considered one of the largest lakes in Bangalore, existed at least seven centuries ago. Two hero stones have also been discovered in Jakkur: one is a Atmabalidana memorial stone from the 10th century, and the other is a Maha-Sati stone from the 16th-17th centuries. Recent efforts have focused on the conservation of these historical markers.
Jakkur 1432 CE God Allalanatha inscription
This Kannada inscription documents the donation of a Garuda pillar to an Allalanatha temple in 1432 CE. Due to the worn condition of the letters, the full inscription cannot be completely deciphered.Discovery and dating
The inscription was discovered near a roadside in December 2021 by K R Narasimhan and Dhanpal Manchenahalli and was later relocated nearby. Based on the date mentioned in the inscription, "jayābhyudaya varuṣa 1354 paridāvi saṃ cayitra su 10", it can be precisely dated to 10 April 1432 CE.Transliteration of the inscription
The inscription consists of nine lines. Digital images of each character, the inscription itself, a summary, and other information are available through the. The transliterated text in Kannada and IAST is| Line Number | Kannada | IAST |
| 1 | ಯಾಭ್ಯುದ | yābhyuda |
| 2 | ರುಷ ೧೩೫ | ruṣa 135 |
| 3 | ರಿದಾವಿ ಸಂ | ridāvi saṃ |
| 4 | ಯಿತ್ರ ಸು ೧೦ | yitra su 10 |
| 5 | ಅಲ್ಲಾಳನಾತ | allāl̤anāta |
| 6 | . ಕ. ಸಮುದ್ರ | . ka. samudra |
| 7 | ೦ಮಿಸಿತ್ತ | ṃmisitta |
| 8 | .. ಸೇವೆ | .. sevĕ |
| 9 | ... ಕಂಬ | ... kaṃba |
Jakkur 1000 CE Kalnadu inscription
This Kannada inscription, paleographically dated to the 10th century CE, records the donation of a village to Sanjayappa. Villages donated to the families of martyrs who died protecting the village or kingdom were called "kalnad/kalnatu". The inscription contains the word "Jakkiyu," potentially an older name for Jakkur or a reference to "Yakshi". This inscription was discovered in 2017 by researchers K. R. Narasimhan and P. L. Udaya Kumar.Transliteration of the inscription
The inscription has six lines. Digital images and related information are available through . The transliterated text in Kannada and IAST is| Line Number | Kannada | IAST |
| 1 | ..... ಮ್ಮಕಲಿಗ ಸ | ..... mmakaliga sa |
| 2 | ..... ಣ್ನನಾಡ ಜಕ್ಕಿಯೂ | ..... ṇnanāḍa jakkiyū |
| 3 | ....... ಸಲಗುವ ಸಂಜಪಯ್ಯನುಂ | ....... salaguva saṃjapayyanuṃ |
| 4 | ..... ಮೞಿದವಂ ಕವಿಲೆ ಬಾರ | ..... maḻidavaṃ kavilĕ bāra |
| 5 | .....ೞಿದ೦ ಇ ಕಲ್ನಾಡು ಗುದುರಾ | .....ḻida0 i kalnāḍu gudurā |
| 6 | ........ ನೆನ್ದಕಮಾಲೆಗೊಟ್ಟ | ........ nĕndakamālĕgŏṭṭa |
Translation
The inscription states that Kalnadu was given to Sanjapayya of Sunnadu Jakkur. It also records a curse upon anyone who destroys the grant, stating that such a person would incur the sin equivalent to killing Kavile in Varanasi.Jakkur 10th Century CE Prashasti inscription
This Kannada inscription, paleographically dated to the 10th century CE, is a significant epigraphic record found in Jakkur village. It documents a conflict between Ballavathirayanna, the ruler of Navalakka, and Birudasedeva of Gubetta. The inscription also indicates that Jakkuru village belonged to 'Gangavadithombattarusavira', an administrative division dating back to the Western Ganga period.Discovery and dating
Discovered partially buried in a field by KR Narasimhan and Dhanapal Manchenahalli, the inscription was moved to KV Bhairegowda Kalamandir with the help of local residents. The inscription is dated paleographically to the 10th century CE.Transliteration of the inscription
The inscription has five lines. Digital images and related information are available through . The transliterated text in Kannada and IAST is provided in a table format is:| Kannada | IAST | |
| 1 | ಮ ದ ಗಾಳಂಗವಾಡಿ ತೊಂಭತ್ತುಸಾಯಿ | .. ma. da gāl̤gaṃgavāḍi tŏṃbhattaṟusāyi |
| 2 | ರಮನೇಕ ಛತ್ರಚ್ಛಾಯೆಯೊಳರಸುಗೆಯ್ಯು | ramaneka chatracchāyĕyŏl̤arasugĕyyu |
| 3 | ತಿರೆ ಸ್ವಸ್ತಿ ಸಮಸ್ತ ಪ್ರಸಸ್ತಿ ಸಹಿತ ಶ್ರೀ ಮತ್ | ttirĕ svasti samasta prasasti sahita śrīmat |
| 4 | ನವಲಕ್ಕದಹಳಾಧಿಪತಿಯಪ್ಪ ಬಲ್ಲವ | navalakkadahal̤ādhipatiyappa ballava |
| 5 | ತಿರಾಯಂ ಗೊಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಬಿರುದಸೆದೇವನ ಕಾಳೆಗ | tirāyaṃ gŏbĕṭṭada birudasĕdevana kāl̤ĕga |
Jakkur 1342 CE Honnamarayanayaka Donation Inscription
This Kannada inscription is crucial for understanding the history of Jakkur. It records the donation of tax-exempt irrigated, rain-fed, pastoral, and waste lands of Jakkur, belonging to the dominion of Honnamaranayaka, a local feudal lord, to the "nāḍa senabhova" Allala. "nāḍa senabhova" were tax officers responsible for collecting village taxes. During this time, the area was ruled by the Hoysala king Veeraballala III from his capital, 'Unnamalepattana', the historical name of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. The inscription features symbols of the sun and moon, signifying the eternity of the donation, a common motif in historical Indian art. It also mentions unique administrative ranks of the time, such as "mahāpasāyita", an officer close to the king managing palace affairs, and "yakkaṭiga", special bodyguards to the king.Discovery and dating
The inscription was first documented by B.L. Rice in Volume 9 of Epigraphia Carnatica and was rediscovered by historians in 2017. Based on the corresponding date in the Hindu calendar, the inscription can be precisely dated to 5 October 1342 CE.Transliteration of the inscription
Digital Images of each of the characters of this inscription, images of the inscription itself, summary and the other information about the inscription have been shared viaThe inscription's text is available through . The text is provided in a table format below, showing the Kannada and IAST transliteration for both the front and back sides of the inscription stone.
| Line Number | Kannada | IAST |
| 1 | ಸ್ವಸ್ತಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಶಕಾಬ್ದ ೧೨೬೫ ನೆಯ | svasti śrī śakābda 1265 nĕya |
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 | ರ್ತ್ತಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ವೀರಬಲ್ಲಾಳ | rtti śrī hŏysal̤a vīraballāl̤a |
| 5 | ದೇವರಸರು ಉಣ್ಣಾಮಲೆ ಪಟ್ಟಣ | devarasaru uṇṇāmalĕ paṭṭaṇa |
| 6 | ದಂ ಪೃಥ್ವಿರಾಜ್ಯಂಗೆ ಯ್ವುತ್ತಿರ | daṃ pṛthvirājyaṃgĕ yvuttira |
| 7 | ಲು ಶ್ರೀ ಮನುಮಹಾ ಎಲಹ್ಕನಾಡ | lu śrī manumahā ĕlahkanāḍa |
| 8 | ಸಮಸ್ತ ಪ್ರಜೆಗವುಂಡುಗಳೂ | samasta prajĕgavuṃḍugal̤ū |
| 9 | ಮನುಮಹಾ ಸಾವಂತಾಧಿಪ | manumahā sāvaṃtādhipa |
| 10 | ತಿ ಮೀಸೆಯರ ಗಂಡ ಚಿಕ್ಕಬಯಿ | ti mīsĕyara gaṃḍa cikkabayi |
| 11 | ರಯನಾಯ್ಕನ ಮಗ ಹೊಂನಮಾರಯ | rayanāykana maga hŏṃnamāraya |
| 12 | ನಾಯ್ಕನೂ ನಾಡಸೇನಬೊವ ಅಲ್ಲಾಳರಿಗೆ | nāykanū nāḍasenabŏva allāl̤arigĕ |
| 13 | ಶಿಲಾಶಾಸನವ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಟ್ಟ ಕ್ರಮ | śilāśāsanava māḍikŏṭṭa krama |
| 14 | ವೆಂತೆಂದಡೆ ಯಿ ನಾಡೊಳಗಣ | vĕṃtĕṃdaḍĕ yi nāḍŏl̤agaṇa |
| 15 | ಜಕ್ಕೂರ ಗದ್ದೆ ಬೆದ್ದಲು.. | jakkūra gaddĕ bĕddalu.. |
| 16 | ಪಗೆಮಾಳ ವೊಳಗಾದ ಚ | pagĕmāl̤a vŏl̤agāda ca |
| 17 | ತು ಸೀಮೆ ಏನುಳ್ಳದನೂ ಸ | tu sīmĕ enul̤l̤adanū sa |
| 18 | ರ್ವಮಾನ್ಯದ ಕೊಡಗಿಯಾ | rvamānyada kŏḍagiyā |
| 19 | ಗಿ ಚಂದ್ರಾದಿತ್ಯರುಳ್ಳಂನ | gi caṃdrādityarul̤l̤aṃna |
| 20 | ಬರ ಸಲುವಂತಾಗಿ ಶಿಲಾ | bara saluvaṃtāgi śilā |
| 21 | ಶಾಸನವ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಟ್ಟರು | śāsanava māḍikŏṭṭaru |
| 22 | ಮಂಗಳ ಮಹಶ್ರೀ | maṃgal̤a mahaśrī |
Herostones (''Veeragallu'') and Memorial Sculptures
The areas of Jakkur and neighboring localities, including Allalasandra, Agrahara, and Dasarahalli, contain significant historical markers such as herostones and other memorial sculptures. These stone monuments offer insights into the history, traditions, beliefs, and acts of bravery from their respective periods.Purpose and Types
Herostones were generally erected to commemorate individuals who displayed valor and sacrificed their lives. Some stones specifically honor individuals who performed voluntary self-sacrifice, potentially for societal welfare, to ensure victory, or in the belief of attaining liberation. In certain instances, a hero's spouse might also undertake self-sacrifice following the hero's death.Notable Finds
Source:- A 10th-century couple's memorial sculpture, identified as an Atmabalidana Veeragallu, was discovered in Jakkur, partially buried alongside a 1342 CE inscription. Following guidance from citizen historians K.R. Narasimhan and Dhanapal Manchenahalli, this sculpture is now conserved at the K.V. Bhaire Gowda Kala Mandira complex in Jakkur.
- Remains of a destroyed Shaiva temple in Jakkur include Shaiva Dvarapalaka sculptures and broken pillars, found with a fragmented inscription. Plans exist to relocate these for conservation at the K.V. Bhaire Gowda Kala Mandira complex.
- A skirmish herostone has been discovered at Agrahara. Herostones in Dasarahalli have been identified and conserved by local residents.
- A herostone in Yelahanka, near Allalasandra, commemorated a dog named Chamundi that died fighting a pig, erected by its master. This stone reportedly disappeared during lake renovation.
- A Maha-Sati herostone has been discovered in a residence at Telecom Layout, Jakkur.