Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar

Section of the Tyagada Brahmadeva pillar with relief in floral design
Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar (2.3 m tall) at Shravanabelagola

The Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar (or Chhagada Brahmadeva Pillar) is a decorated free standing pillar (lit, Stambha), 2.3 m tall, commissioned by Chamundaraya, an important minister and commander in the Western Ganga kingdom, during the rule of King Marasimha II (963–975), Rachamalla IV (975–986) and Rachamalla V.[1][2] The pillar dates to around 983 C.E. and exists on the Vindyagiri hill (called Dodda Betta in local Kannada language) in the important Jain heritage town Shravanabelagola, in the Karnataka state, India.[3] On the base of the pillar, on the north side, is an inscription in old Kannada language of the same period,[4] which according to epigraphist and historian B.L. Rice confirms Chamundaraya's involvement in the erection of the pillar.[5][6] Free standing pillars are a characteristic feature of the Western Ganga art and are broadly classified as "Mahastambha" (or "Manastambha", "Indrastambha") and "Brahmastambha".[3][7]

The pillar was enclosed (around 1700) with an enclosure, open below, so that from the side only some of its length is visible.

  1. ^ Kamath (1980), p. 45
  2. ^ Sarma (1992), p. 153
  3. ^ a b Kamath (1980), p. 52
  4. ^ Rice (1889), p.2 (introduction, See inscription no.109, List of inscriptions in chronological order, list-i)
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference images was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Rice (1889), p. 33
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference common was invoked but never defined (see the help page).