Key Highlights of the Discovery
- A 16th-century Kannada inscription was discovered near Chandrashekara temple, Guttala (Haveri district, Karnataka).
- Dated August 18, 1539 CE, it records 6,307 deaths due to drought (bara) — India’s first known epigraphic record of a humanitarian disaster.
- The deceased were buried by Marulaih Odeya, depicted in a stone sculpture carrying bodies in a basket.
Relevance : GS 1(History , Inscriptions) ,GS 3(Disaster Management)
Historical and Cultural Significance
- The inscription is unique and rare, documenting the exact human toll of a natural calamity — a detail often absent in traditional literature.
- It enriches India’s epigraphic heritage and contributes to historical memory of socio-environmental crises.
Socio-Economic and Humanitarian Insight
- Reflects the devastating impact of drought on medieval agrarian society.
- Shows evidence of community action and ritualistic piety in disaster response — burials were performed for religious merit.
- Offers a glimpse into the social role of individuals and rulers (e.g., Timmarasa Svami and god Basaveshwara) during crises.
Research and Analytical Value
- Opens avenues for comparative studies on climatic disasters and community resilience in Indian history.
- May assist scholars in reconstructing climatic patterns, demographic changes, and administrative responses over time.
- Adds depth to environmental history and disaster anthropology.
Broader Context
- Part of over 1,000 inscriptions documented by ASI in 2024–25 across India.
- Over 100 new inscriptions discovered this year alone, showing the continued importance of field epigraphy.
Conclusion
- A landmark inscription blending history, art, environment, and society.
- It bridges the gap between archaeology and environmental history, marking a forgotten tragedy in stone for posterity.
