<p>It has been 50 years since the state was renamed Karnataka, from its old name — Mysore state. Interestingly, historians have found that the name Karnataka existed during the 11th century. The name has been found on a stone inscription in Nagavi, an important archaeological site situated in Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district.</p>.<p>Nagavi was a renowned centre of higher education during the period of Kalyana Chalukyas, between the 10th and 12th centuries. It was also a centre of learning and it is said that the town hosted Karnataka’s oldest university, built during the reign of the Rashtrakutas.</p>.<p>The stone inscription from 1058 AD found in Nagavi mentions that the region where the Kannada language was used was called Karnataka. This quadrilateral-shaped stone inscription is located in the premises of Nagavi’s Tripurusha temple.</p>.<p>According to the information carved on it, the Chalukya’s chief commander, Madhavappa Rasa, was referred to as ‘Karnataka Sandhi Vigrahaadhipati’ in the history of ‘Nagavi Maha Agrahara’ during the reign of Kalyani Chalukya king Someshvara I.</p>.<p>The army was referred to as ‘Karnata Bala’ during the Badami Chalukya period. However, the complete mention of ‘Karnataka’ is found for the first time in this inscription, says Shivasharanappa Biradar, principal of a government college in Chittapur.</p>.<p>“The state was officially renamed ‘Karnataka’ on November 1, 1973. However, the usage of the word ‘Karnataka’ is found in the inscriptions from the Kalyani Chalukya period. Therefore, there is a need to conduct thorough research on this subject as nothing has been done so far except a book being published on these inscriptions,” Biradar says. </p>.<p>The names Karunadu, Karinadu and Karnata have generally been found in all stone inscriptions of ancient periods at several places in the state.</p>.<p>“But, this is the first inscription in Nagavi where there is a mention of ‘Karnataka’. Therefore, it has become a matter of great pride for the people of Chittapur taluk,” says the principal. </p>.<p class="CrossHead Rag">An army of old</p>.<p>Historians believe Nagavi was the administrative headquarters for many rulers, apart from an educational hub, due to the availability of natural resources. The Nagavi Yellamma temple was the family deity of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.</p>.<p>Historian B N Akki says the word Nagavi is derived from ‘naga’ (elephant and serpent) and ‘vapi’ (pond), where water sports used to be played.</p>.<p>“The culture, belief and tradition continued to remain, though there was a change of emperors and politics over time. The name ‘Karnataka’ existed before Chalukyan emperor Immadi Pulakeshi, who reigned from Vatapi (present-day Badami) during the 7th century,” he says. </p>.<p>Nagayyaswami Allur, who works with the Nagavi Cultural Foundation, says that more study on the inscriptions will reveal the hidden history of the site. </p>.<p>Tourism Minister H K Patil, during his visit to Nagavi recently, had promised to turn it into an education hub. He also spoke about the development of the Yallamma temple.</p>.<p>There is a plan to start a post-graduation or research centre at the historical venue, he added. </p>.<p><span class="italic">(Translated from Kannada by Vittal Shastri)</span></p>
<p>It has been 50 years since the state was renamed Karnataka, from its old name — Mysore state. Interestingly, historians have found that the name Karnataka existed during the 11th century. The name has been found on a stone inscription in Nagavi, an important archaeological site situated in Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district.</p>.<p>Nagavi was a renowned centre of higher education during the period of Kalyana Chalukyas, between the 10th and 12th centuries. It was also a centre of learning and it is said that the town hosted Karnataka’s oldest university, built during the reign of the Rashtrakutas.</p>.<p>The stone inscription from 1058 AD found in Nagavi mentions that the region where the Kannada language was used was called Karnataka. This quadrilateral-shaped stone inscription is located in the premises of Nagavi’s Tripurusha temple.</p>.<p>According to the information carved on it, the Chalukya’s chief commander, Madhavappa Rasa, was referred to as ‘Karnataka Sandhi Vigrahaadhipati’ in the history of ‘Nagavi Maha Agrahara’ during the reign of Kalyani Chalukya king Someshvara I.</p>.<p>The army was referred to as ‘Karnata Bala’ during the Badami Chalukya period. However, the complete mention of ‘Karnataka’ is found for the first time in this inscription, says Shivasharanappa Biradar, principal of a government college in Chittapur.</p>.<p>“The state was officially renamed ‘Karnataka’ on November 1, 1973. However, the usage of the word ‘Karnataka’ is found in the inscriptions from the Kalyani Chalukya period. Therefore, there is a need to conduct thorough research on this subject as nothing has been done so far except a book being published on these inscriptions,” Biradar says. </p>.<p>The names Karunadu, Karinadu and Karnata have generally been found in all stone inscriptions of ancient periods at several places in the state.</p>.<p>“But, this is the first inscription in Nagavi where there is a mention of ‘Karnataka’. Therefore, it has become a matter of great pride for the people of Chittapur taluk,” says the principal. </p>.<p class="CrossHead Rag">An army of old</p>.<p>Historians believe Nagavi was the administrative headquarters for many rulers, apart from an educational hub, due to the availability of natural resources. The Nagavi Yellamma temple was the family deity of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.</p>.<p>Historian B N Akki says the word Nagavi is derived from ‘naga’ (elephant and serpent) and ‘vapi’ (pond), where water sports used to be played.</p>.<p>“The culture, belief and tradition continued to remain, though there was a change of emperors and politics over time. The name ‘Karnataka’ existed before Chalukyan emperor Immadi Pulakeshi, who reigned from Vatapi (present-day Badami) during the 7th century,” he says. </p>.<p>Nagayyaswami Allur, who works with the Nagavi Cultural Foundation, says that more study on the inscriptions will reveal the hidden history of the site. </p>.<p>Tourism Minister H K Patil, during his visit to Nagavi recently, had promised to turn it into an education hub. He also spoke about the development of the Yallamma temple.</p>.<p>There is a plan to start a post-graduation or research centre at the historical venue, he added. </p>.<p><span class="italic">(Translated from Kannada by Vittal Shastri)</span></p>
