About the Book
In this book, the author explores Mysore inscriptions, shedding light on a historical void in Hindu literature. While historical works are scarce, inscriptions in the Karnataka region, notably in modern-day Mysore, have emerged as crucial historical references. The translated inscriptions featured in this volume cover the Karnataka region throughout the Christian era. They vary from royal grants (s'asanas) engraved on stone slabs to epitaphs on monumental stones, including hero stones and memorials of sati. The book delves into the style and arrangement of these inscriptions, often commencing with Sanskrit verses, offering genealogies, historical insights, and dates enriched with astrological details. These inscriptions unveil the rich cultural and historical fabric of ancient Karnataka.
About the Author
Benjamin Lewis Rice (1837-1927) was known as B. L. Rice, was a British historian, archaeologist, and educationist. Renowned for deciphering inscriptions, especially in Kannada and Sanskrit in the Mysore Kingdom, he authored the extensive "Epigraphia Carnatica," translating around 9000 inscriptions. As the first Director of the Mysore State Archaeology Department, Rice made significant contributions, including the well-regarded Mysore Gazetteer. His interest in epigraphy led to groundbreaking discoveries, such as Roman coins and Ashokan edicts in Karnataka. In 1906, he published the "Biblotheca Carnatica," a collection of major Kannada literary texts, before his death in 1927.
Preface
A few words of explanation are needed as to the origin and purport of When Mr. L. B. Bowring, c. 8. 1., (previously Private the present volume. Secretary to the Governor General, Lord Canning), was Chief Commissioner of Mysore, the garrison of Bangalore included the 22nd Regiment, Madras Native Infantry, one of whose officers, Major II. Dixon, had taken a series of photo-graphs of the celebrated temples of Orissa, and dedicated them by permission He was now commissioned, about 1865, to take photo-to Lady Canning. graphs on behalf of the Mysore Government of the principal inscriptions in this Province. How the selection was made I am not aware, but all he took belang to the north of the country. There were 150 altogether-129 from inscriptions on stone and 21 from those on copper-plates-nearly a half of the whole num-ber being from Balagami and Taldagundi, close to it, both in the Shimoga District.
Sets of the photographs were sent to the India Office and Asiatic Societien, but without a translation they could be regarded only as curiosities. Some native officials here, with the aid of pandits, attempted the translation of a few for Mr. Bowring, but, as might be expected, with very imperfect results.
