ಎಪಿಗ್ರಾಫಿಯ ಕರ್ನಾಟಿಕ- Epigraphia Carnatica (Vol-XII)

Inscriptions of Karnataka are the roots of ancient history and culture of this soil. They thow more light on the antiquity of our language and literature also. Kanada inscriptions are unique from the point of number and essence. They are only second to Tamil in number. however, they are the first and foremost in their historical essence. Benjamin Lewis Rice collected, edited and published in twelve volumes of Epigraphia Carnatica series-8869 epigraphs from old Mysore State and Coorg region, between 1884 and 1906. Later on, thousands of inscriptions have come to light-especially in the annual reports of the Mysore Archaeological Department and in the supplementary volumes of Epigraphia Carnatica series.

The volumes of Epigraphia Carnatica are indispensable primary source books for the study and research work of scholars and students. But they had run out of stock since many years; there was a long-felt need for bringing out their revised edition. As per the unanimous recommendations of the Co-ordination Committee for the Research work on Karnataka Life and Culture, the responsibility of this great work was entrusted to the Institute of Kannada Studies by the Government of Karnataka, However, the work actually, began in the third week of December 1971, with meagre expert staff.

An Advisory Committee comprising of high officials of the Archaeological Department and renowned scholars was formed. Eleven bulky volumes have been published so far. This is the twelfth in the series. This consists of 459 epigraphs from Kadur, Koppa, Tarikere and Narasimharajapura taluks of Chikkamagalur district besides 8 records discovered recently in Chikkamagalur and Mudagere taluks. Totally 467 inscriptions are in this volume.

The revised volumes of Epigraphia Carnatica are being published by Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies with the generous help of the Government of Karnataka. I sincerely thank the Government of Karnataka, especially the honourable ministers for Education and Kannada and Culture, and also all officers and staff of these departments. Our respectable Vice-Chancellor Prof. S.N. Hegde has been evincing keen interest in this work. Respectable Registrar, Finance officer, other officers and staff of the University of Mysore have given us all encouragement and support. The graphic work of this volume is done by Good Touch Offset Printers and the printing work is done by the Mysore University Printing Press. The Director and Staff of the press have extended full co-operation. I am grateful to all these.

New inscriptions have been included in this volume with the co-operation of Dr. N Havalayya, Dr. M.P. Manjappa Shetty, Sri Harish Singatagere, Sri Mekanagadde Lakshmana Gowda, Sri Venkatasubbaiah, Sri Rajappa Dalavayi and Prof. Shambhulingappa. My thanks are due to Dr. A.V. Narasimha Murthy who was the Hon. Editor and to them. I am also indebted to all the members of the Advisory Committee. My congratulations are due to my colleagues of the Epigraphia Carnatica Section Sri H.M. Nagaraja Rao, Sri K. Mohammed Shariff and Smt. Krishnaveni (now retired) for their hardwork.

In view of the decision to bring out a separate volume exclusively for the introductions written by Rice, they have not been included herein. An introduction is written afresh. I welcome opinions and suggestions from scholars and researchers to improve the revised volumes.

**Contents and Sample Pages**