Image: 10th century college foundation grant Devanagari inscription in Sanskrit on stone, Kaladgi Karnataka

Description: This inscription was published on pages 210-211 of Indian Antiquary, A Journal Of Oriental Research in 1872. This Salotgi inscription is on a hard rock surface that would have been difficult to inscribe. The language is Sanskrit, most of the inscription lines are Devanagari, but some bottom lines are in old Kanarese script that were likely added later as the content does not make contextual sense with the Sanskrit text above. The inscription dates it to Saka 867 (945 CE). Its origin of this 10th century stone is unclear. It was first found in the 19th century mostly buried near a drain close to the syncretic Hindu-Muslim tomb in a region ruled by Deccan Sultanates. The top of the inscription stone has an image of Linga and Nandi, suggesting that it was created by some Shaiva Hindu community. According to the inscription, the stone proclaims that a college has been established for learning and intelligence, with Brahmins and scholars from different districts due to grants from the king. It further states that the kingdom grants the college 500 nivartanas of land without rent (1 nivartana = 200 square cubits). [For source: see pages 210-211 of the source, with footnotes]. Another section of the inscription states that Govinda Budha donated to the college 27 rent free dwellingsplus rent free flower gardens covering 4 nivartana. It mentions special donations during rite-of-passage ceremonies, and that the villagers provide dinner to the staff of the college according to their means.
Title: 10th century college foundation grant Devanagari inscription in Sanskrit on stone, Kaladgi Karnataka
Credit: https://archive.org/stream/TheIndianAntiquaryVol.1/The-Indian-Antiquary%2CVol.%201#page/n1/mode/2up
Author: SP Pandit (1872)
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No