News: A 12th-century stone inscription discovered at the Sri Mahalakshmi Temple, K. Bettahalli (Pandavapura taluk, Mandya district) has revealed close historical links between Hoysala Karnataka and Tamilakam.

Highlights:

• The inscription dates back to the Hoysala period (12th century).
• It was studied by scholars from the Centre for Research and Development of Kannada Culture, Mysuru.
• Provides fresh evidence of inter-regional ties in medieval South India.

Key Findings:

• Dates to the tenure of Hoysala King Narasimha I (1152-1173 CE).
• Carved in Kannada script, the nine-line inscription utilises Kannada, Tamil and Sanskrit languages
• Inscription begins with “the auspicious invocation of ‘Svastishri’ and bears the royal emblems of conch (shanka) and discus (chakra)”.
• Shows that Tamilians occupied senior positions in the Hoysala military and were active patrons of temples across Karnataka. It reflects a deep, everyday connection between the two regions.

Historical Significance:

• Reinforces the role of temples as centres of socio-political interaction.
• Highlights the pan-South Indian character of Hoysala rule
• Adds to epigraphic evidence on Hoysala–Chola/Tamil interactions.

Hoysalas

• Hoysalas were feudatories of chalukyas of Kalyana.
• Dwarasamudra(Halebeedu) was their capital.
• Sala was the founder of this dynasty.
• Hoysalas combined Vesara and Dravida style and developed new Hoysala style.