Two Jain inscriptions discovered in Dodda Antapur of Ballari district
Archaeologists have discovered two Jain inscriptions in the Ballari district of Karnataka dating back to the reign of Harihara II of the Vijayanagara Empire. The inscriptions record land grants to a Jain religious institution, providing new insights into the empire's religious patronage and agrarian economy.
Why it matters
The discovery offers significant historical evidence regarding the coexistence of Jainism and the Vijayanagara Empire, helping scholars better understand the region's socio-political and religious history.
Two Jain inscriptions dating to the reign of Harihara II of the Vijayanagara Empire have been discovered in agricultural fields at Dodda Antapur in Sandur taluk of Ballari district.
The inscriptions have been documented by the Vijayanagara Tirugata Research Team, consisting of field archaeologists and historians comprising H. Thippeswamy, Govind, Krishnegowda and researchers H. Ravi, Maruti, Ismail Siddiqui and Ashok Nayak Diddigi, with the assistance of residents Thayappa, Ragi Shivaramappa and Bandri Papayya.
The discovery adds to evidence of a strong Jain presence in the Sandur region during the Vijayanagara period. An earlier inscription referring to 17th Jain Tirthankara Kunthunatha was also found in the area.
Researchers said that the two inscriptions were found in the fields of Harijan Huligemma and Hatti Ramesh.
One has seven lines and the other eight. Both record a land grant by Harihara II to Sri Kunthutirthankara.
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