'Bengaluru' word found in inscriptions older than city's 'official' foundation in 1537 by Kempegowda I: Researcher

Mysuru: History researcher M G Bhyrappa from Bengaluru said that the term ‘Bengaluru’ exists in inscriptions older than the foundation laying of Bengaluru, by Kempegowda I, in 1537.

Bhyrappa, who has done extensive research on the Ganga dynasty, said, the Beguru inscription of 890, of the Ganga period, has a mention of Bengaluru, over six centuries before Kempegowda I laid the foundation for Bengaluru.

He was delivering a lecture on ‘Historical footprints of Gangas in Bengaluru’, as part of the monthly talks, hosted by the Archaeology, Museums and Heritage department, in Mysuru, on Wednesday.

Students of Regional College of Education, during the lecture on ‘Historical footprints of Gangas in Bengaluru’, as part of monthly talks, hosted by Archaeology, Museums and Heritage department, in Mysuru, on Wednesday. Deputy Director of the department N Shashidhar, researcher M G Bhyrappa and professor Shalvapille Iyengar are seen.

Bhyrappa said, “The 890 inscription mentions that ‘Putturvana Shetty - a confidante of Nagathara, an official of the Ganga king Bhutuga – died in the Bengaluru battle. There are many narratives that Bengaluru evolved from terms like ‘Bendakaluru’ ‘Bendakalluru’, Bengavaluru’ and ‘Benachakalluru’. But, no historical evidence is available to prove them. There is no inscription of even the foundation laying by Kempegowda I. But, another inscription, around four centuries older, of 1134, at Sri Someshwara temple of Madivala, mentions ‘Bengaluru’. It gives details of the donations by Chola kings to the temple, after winning a war."

He said, the Gangas ruled for around 650 years, albeit as feudal to empires such as Pallavas, Kadambas, Rastrakutas and Chalukyas, but their history is not properly researched and documented.

“Gangas were also known as ‘Gangawadi 96,000’ meaning that they ruled 96,000 villages. Gangas ruled the strategic parts of Karnataka – Bengaluru, Kolar, Mandya and Mysuru regions – and thus acted as a buffer against the invasion of the territories ruled by Kannada kings of Kadamba, Rastrakuta and Chalukya dynasties, by Tamil kings. Thus, the Bengaluru region served as a battle field for a couple of centuries, protecting Kannada lands,” he pointed out.