10th century Kadamba inscription written in Kannada and Sanskrit found in Goa

• An inscription written in Kannada and Sanskrit and said to be of 10th century A.D.
• The Kadamba period has been discovered in the Mahadeva temple at Cacoda in southern Goa.

Background

• The Kadambas of Goa were the subordinates of Chalukyas of Kalyana.
• Chalukyan emperor Tailapa II appointed Kadamba Shasthadeva as mahamandaleshwar of Goa for his help in overthrowing the Rashtrakutas.
• Kadamba Shasthadeva conquered the city of Chandavara from the Shilaharas in 960 A.D.
• Later, he conquered the port of Gopakapattana (present Goa).
• Gundayya, the son of Talara Nevayya, may have participated in this battle, and won the port at the cost of his life.
• His father may have erected a memorial stone with the inscription in the temple of Mahadev of Cacoda to commemorate the heroic fight of his son.

The Chalukyas

• It ruled parts of Southern and Central India between the 6th century and the 12th century.
• There were three distinct but related Chalukya dynasties.

Badami Chalukyas

• The earliest Chalukyas with their capital at Badami (Vatapi) in Karnataka.
• They ruled from the mid-6th century and declined after the death of their greatest king, Pulakesin II in 642 AD.

Eastern Chalukyas

• Emerged after the death of Pulakesin II in Eastern Deccan with capital at Vengi.
• They ruled till the 11th century.

Western Chalukyas

• Descendants of the Badami Chalukyas, they emerged in the late 10th century and ruled from Kalyani.

Prelims Takeaway

• Chalukyas
• Kadamba period