ARCHAEOLOGY OF HASSAN DISTRICT,
JANUARY, 1873.]
Kurg is peculiarly rich in such remains,
I
9
great numbers differing in size, in form, and in
have no doubt that careful search among the
appearance.
jangals would bring to light some specimens of
indeed as to form a regular class of themselves—
these remains.”
are those known to the natives as kodu kallu. Kallu is the Canarese for stone. These are said
CIRCLEs.-Large numbers of these are to be found all over the district.
Several stones vary
ing in size, but seldom larger than 1% feet, mark the circumference of these circles; the enclosed
area is on a level with the surrounding ground or nearly so, and the diameter from 12 to 18
feet.
Sometimes, but rarely, two circles, one
within the other, are found.
These circles are
The most common—so numerous
to have been erected by the Rājas of Kurg to mark the boundaries of their kingdom. They are however found in places where, from other evidence, it can be proved that these Rājas (for in its best days Kurg was but a petty state) never held sway. The explanation given by the natives then cannot be held to be correct.
The
surface soil we come on the covering slab of a
original meaning of the word kodu has been forgotten, or the word so corrupted that it is impossible from its present form to determine the original word.t The similarity in sound between kodu and Kodagu (which is the Kanarese for Kurg) has, I think, given rise to the usual explanation. Such mistakes do arise sometimes. For instance in the Malnād portion
kistvaen. These kistvaens are formed of slabs of
of the district, Orchids are called “Situhuvu”
granite and have always an opening at one end, large enough to admit of an ordinary-sized man of the present day passing through. They are always full of earth in which are em bedded pots of every sort and kind, some of decidedly Etruscan look both in form and ap pearance, others in no way to be distinguished
(or flowers of the mist). The similarity in sound between Situ (mist) and Si tā (Rāma's wife or sister) is too much for individuals of a highly imaginative mind who give a long story of how and why they are called Sitä's flowers.
from the common chatti of the present day; some have three short legs, others have none.
Pieces of iron instruments, bones, and a black
divided into three compartments. The upper generally represents a priest with long and flowing locks officiating at an altar carrying a
substance, supposed to be charcoal, are also
ling a, and on the side is seated the person in
found.
whose honour evidently the stone has been
always to be found in groups, the number in each group varies from several hundred to but five or six. Near Fraserpett on the banks of the Kāveri, the best collection is to be seen ;
here we have several (hundred all clustered to gether occupying as is usual the highest ground in the neighbourhood.
On digging below the
The kistvaen, however, is not always
found complete.
In some there is nothing but
the bottom slab, on which always in one corner
are to be found the pots and other finds.
In
However to return to the ko du kallu. They are about 3 feet above the ground and always
erected.
The centre
compartment
has two
women, said to represent frail ones of the Hindu paradise, fanning with chauras the central figure.
one—and one only—I found a stone arrow or
The lower division delineates a battle scene,
small spear-head.
where the combatants are represented now on
Similar remains, containing
similar finds, are to be met
with
not only
foot now on horseback.
In one case there is
throughout the whole of Maisur, but the neigh bouring districts of Koimbatur and the Nilgiri hills are reported to be particularly rich in this class of remains. They are generally supposed to be burying-grounds of an extinct race.
shown an elephant. The most interesting specimen I have met with is one near Arsikerré. It is as usual divided into three compartments
CAIRNs.—A number of these are to be found,-
been read. The date is given as “Chālukya Vikrama” 42.f I have come across other kodu kalu bearing inscriptions, but the character is
they are the graves of persons who have been either killed by tigers or died of leprosy. The common belief is that if the body of a leper is buried, no rain will fall on the lands of the vil
lage where this is done. They are therefore always buried under a pile of stones. MENHIRs.—From the simple unadorned mo nolith to the highly-carved monumental stone whose inscription tells why it was erected, we find
- I am inclined to think they will be found only on or
among hills.-ED.
+Kodukalu means ‘slaughter stones, see Vol.I. p.372–Ed.
but has an inscription in “Halla Kanada” or old Kanarese.
The letters are clear and have
unknown to the natives.
There are two or three different accounts given by the natives about the origin of the circles. One, and the most common, that they are the dwelling-places of the followers of the five
Pändu princes who, having lost their all by gam bling, were obliged to wander among the forests t This is probably the era of the Chālukyas referred to in the Tidgundi copper-plate (see Ind. Antiq. Vol. I. p. 83), commencing 1076 A.D.—ED.