Atakur inscription

The famous Atakur inscription (949 C.E.), a classical Kannada composition from the Western Ganga-Rashtrakuta period

The Atakur inscription (sometimes spelt Athakur, Athagur, Athkur, Atkur or Atukur) dated 949-950 C.E. is an inscribed memorial stone (hero stone) in classical Kannada composition.[1][2][3] It was discovered at the Chelleshvara temple at Atakur village, about 23 km from Mandya, Karnataka, India. The "motion packed" sculptured hero stone describes two events in poetic Kannada; the battle between "Kali" the hound and a wild boar, and the victory of Rashtrakuta Emperor Krishna III over the Chola dynasty of Tanjore in the battle of Takkolam.[4][5][6][7] According to historians I. K. Sarma and Singh, memorial stones for warriors are common in medieval India, but one erected in memory of an animal is considered unique.[6][8][9]

  1. ^ Fleet in Hultzsch (1900), p.51
  2. ^ "Classical Kannada - Inscriptions". Centre for classical Kannada. Central Institute for Indian Languages. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  3. ^ Datta (1988), p.1717
  4. ^ Sarma (1992), p.20
  5. ^ Sarma (1992), p.28
  6. ^ a b Sarma (1992), p.133
  7. ^ Adiga (2006), p.307
  8. ^ Sarma (1992), p.131
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference hunt was invoked but never defined (see the help page).