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136
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(JUNE, 1917
gives a brief but illuminating summary of its two sovereigns have been declared to be spurions works does great credit to the Department as well by competent authorities (Ep. Ind. Vol. VII, as to the Government to whose unstinted patro- Appendix p. 20 ff.). As regards the present inscrip. nage it owes its existence and steady progress. tion of Konkanivarma, the author of the Report
tells us that barring a few orthographical errors, The structures and the records whose accounts
there does not appear to bo any cloar indication are published for the first time in the Report
of the record being spurious' (p. 44). He is, under review, are many in number and of great however, more definite about the inscription of importance to the students of Indian History. It is
8 Durvinita and styles it as a genuine record of about impossible to give a full account of them; but wel 500. A.D. on the strength of its language, orthomay refer to # few specimens in order to give
grapy and paleography. an idea of the importence of the new finds.
The other inscriptions discovered during the Two temples at Turuvêkere, described and illus
period under review belong to the Nolambas, the trated in pp. 1-2, and the Chennakebava temple of
Chalukyas, the Cholas, tho Bilhares of Karåd, the Tandaga (p. 4, pl. V.) are good models of structures
Rattas of Saundatti, the Hoysales and the Vijay.
Ratt of the Hoysala style, a peculiarity of the last
nagar dynasties. Of these, the long inscription of being that every architectural member and piece
about 80 lines, found at Belgaum district and composing the structure bears in inscription giving
recorded in the reign of the Bildhara Chief Vijaya. its position, direction, etc. in the building.' A small
ditya, is of considerable importance. It is a fine neat temple at Jambitige (p. 9) built in 1783, is
specimen of Konnada verse and probably furnishes remarkable for its sculptures, and we are told that
a later date for Vijayaditya than has hither to been every inch of space is carved with figures, etc., on
known. the outer walls and inner walls, too, of the Sukhandsi (vestibule). By far the most remarkable
Many of the sancds discovered at Sringeri math, discoveries of the year, were, however, made at are of considerable interest and importance from Sringeri, one of the four places where the great an historical and cocial joint of view. Several BankardohArva established mathaor monasteries of thein recognise the full powers of the Suami to The historical account of the math, occupied by order enquiries into the conduct of the disciples and the disciples of BankarAcharya down to the present to punish the delir quents; others are addressed to day by regular succession of Sumia is a local officers telling them that the Markos. class ir teresting as it is instructive. We are told that of Sudras, should be warned against adopting the there are three families which receive special
customs and observances cf the Brahmanas, that honours even now at the Sringeri matha, because the Devar gas should not be permitted to wear the their progenitors helped Shyana in the composition sacred thread and that no interest higher than 12 of the commentaries on the Vedas. (p. 12). The P. c. per annum should be allowed to be c'emanded. most remarkable of the more than forty temples
In conclusien, reference must be made to the at Sringeri is the artistically executed Vidya.
discovry of a series of very interesting correspon. Sankara temple described and illustrated in pp. 12 dence between the authorities of Sringeri math and ff, and plates I, VI, VII and VIII. The and Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. They throw & templo was probably erected in the 14th century, flood of light on the relation subsisting between but its plan is unique, it being apsidal at both the these Mehcmeden rulers and their Hindu subjects. ends. The formation of its town is peculiar, and Special importance attaches to the letters of Tipu its outer walls have, from the bottom, friezes of (1) Sultan ina: much as they seem to disprove, or in any horses, (2) elephants, (3) lions, (4) puranic scenes, case modify the too generally accepted hypothes is eto, and (6) dwarfs, with a few cainels Lere end of his bigotry in religious matters and want of tothere in the first friezo. Above the frieze of dwarfs i leration towards the Hindu religion, Altogether 29 comes a row of large figures, about 104 in rumber, letters of Tipu have been liscovered at bringeri, of a variety of deities including those of Kalki, and in every one of them, lapu gives expression to Parasurama, Garuda, Hanumin and Vyisa. (?) the high regard in which he holds the Stami of the It is very accurately observed in the Report that math and entreats him to pray for the welfare of the temple as far as it goes is a veritable museum himself and his kingdom and to send him his of sculptures for the study of Hindu iconography. ! blessings. We also learn from these letter, that The Sculptured monolithic pillars, with lions and when the sumi informed Tipu how the Marathas riders must be looked upon as remarkable produci raided Eringeri, killed and wounded many Brahtions. On the whole it may be said without any manas and other people pulled out the goddess hesitation, that Myrore Arel reological Department strade and carried of everything found in the has laid the students of Indian art and iconography Math, end noked for Government help in the under a debt of gratitude by bringing this temple to shape of money and things to enable him to rethe notice of the public and it may be confidently consecrate the image of the goddess, the Sultan expected that a monograph on the temple will replied thus shortly be published in order to give a full and
"People who have sinned against such a holy adequate Eccount of this artistic treasure.
place are sure to suffer the consequences of their We need not dwell longer upon the rich dis
inisdeeds at ro distant date in this Kali ago in accoveries made at Bpingeri, including, besides the cordance with the verse, temples, 50 new inscriptions, 200 canads, 150 coins and a large number of palmleaf manuscripts. Hasadbhih kriyatd karma rudadbhinanubhdyate, Some of the temples found at other places are also people do evil deeds smiling, but will suffer the remarkable and add to our knowledge in various consequences weeping." The Sultan at the same ways.
timo enclosed an order to the Asaf of Nagar As regards the records, discovered during the
directing him to give on behalf of Government 200 year, the most ancient are the two sets of copper.
rahati in cash and 200 rahali worth of grain for the plates, one of Konkanivarma or Avinits and one
consecration of the goddess Sarada and to supply of his son Durvinita. Almost all the earlier in.
other articles, if desired, for money. (p. 74.) Acriptions of this dynasty including those of the
R. C. MAJUMDAR.
