Ahero stone (vīragallu inKannada,naṭukal inTamil)[1] is amemorial commemorating the honorable death of a hero in battle. Most of which were erected between the second half of the first millennium BCE[2][3] and the 18th century CE, hero stones are found all over India. They often carry inscriptions and a variety of ornaments, includingbas relief panels, frieze, and figures in carved stone.[4] Usually they are in the form of a stone monument and may have an inscription at the bottom with a narrative of the battle. The earliest and oldest of such memorial hero stones is found in the Indian state ofTamil Nadu is more than 2400 years old that is 4th century BCE.[5] According to the historianUpinder Singh, the largest concentration of such memorial stones is found in the Indian state ofKarnataka. About two thousand six hundred and fifty hero stones, the earliest in Karnataka is dated to the 5th century CE.[6] The custom of erecting memorial stones dates back to the Iron Age (400 BCE) though a vast majority were erected between the 4th century BCE to 13th centuries CE.[7]
A five-paneled hero stone from the 12th century with Old Kannada inscription
A hero stone was usually divided into three panels, but occasionally, into four or five panels depending on the event. The upper panel depicts the subject worshipping a deity such as a Shivalingam,Vishnu,Gajalakshmi, or atirthankara, the middle panel depicts the hero sometimes seated in a palanquin or a shrine being lifted toward the heavens byapsaras (heavenly nymphs), and the lower panels would display battle scenes.[8] One of the largest hero stone, about 12 feet high is found inBetageri,Karnataka.[9] InTamil Nadu, Department of Archeology found several hundred hero stones that had been erected in the memory of warriors who sacrificed their lives defending their community or region. Those that are carved with inscriptions narrate the act of the hero, the battle, and the name of king who fought the battle. The stones are found alone or in groups, often near anirrigation tank or lake outside a village.[10] One hero stone dating to the 9th centuryPallava King Dantivarman, depicts the hero riding a galloping horse beautifully dressed and carrying a spear.[11] Another was recovered at Pappapatti inUsilampatti taluk and probably dates from the 18th century. This stone shows a warrior posed heroically, accompanied by his wife who holds a flower. Creating hero stones had been prevalent since theSangam period dating back 2600 years,[12] and continuing until the Nayaka and post-Nayaka period to about 19th century.[13] In March 2014, a hero stone dating to the 8th centuryPandya country, with a Tamil inscription in theVatteluttu script was found in Vellalankottai in theThoothukudi district.[7] and another that was installed by a woman in memory of her husband who killed a leopard preying on cattle that strayed into the hamlet.[14] In 2017, two rare hero stones raised in honour ofwarrior-women riding to a battle were found, dating back 13th century.[15]
Hero stones were not always made in honour of a person. TheAtakur inscription (also spelt Athakur) is one such hero stone. It is dated to 939 CE and includes classical Kannada poetic inscription commemorating the death of the favourite hound ofGanga KingButuga II (the hound died fighting a wild boar).[16]
Hero stone, probably belonging to BCE.Tamil-Brahmi inscription during Tamil Sangam age in Theni district,Tamil Nadu
Hero stone from 12th century with Old Kannada inscription from the Tarakeshvara Temple at Hangal,Karnataka
Hero stone from 12th century with Old Kannada inscription from the Tarakeshvara Temple at Hangal,Karnataka
Hero stone from 12th century with Old Kannada inscription from the Tarakeshvara Temple at Hangal,Karnataka
Seven panel Hero Stone from 12th century withOld Kannada inscription from Siddapur taluk,Karnataka
Seven panel Hero Stone from 12th century withOld Kannada inscription from Siddapur taluk,Karnataka
Seven panel Hero Stone from 1152 CE Old withOld Kannada inscription from Shimoga taluk,Karnataka
Seven panel Hero Stone from 1152 CE Old withOld Kannada inscription from Shimoga taluk,Karnataka
Hero stone with 1160 CE Old Kannada inscription from the rule of Kalachuri King Bijjala in Kedareshvara temple at Balligavi in Shimoga district,Karnataka
Hero stone with 11th- or 12th-century Old Kannada inscription in Kalleshvara temple in Bagali inDavangere district,Karnataka
Hero stone with 1180 CE Old Kannada inscription from the rule of Kalachuri King Ahavamalla in Kedareshvara temple at Balligavi in Shimoga district,Karnataka
Hero stone with old Kannada inscription dated 1235 CE from the rule of Yadava King Singhana II in Kaitabeshvara temple at Kubatur inShimoga district,Karnataka
Hero stone from 10th century with Old Kannada inscription at Trimurthi Narayana Gudi,Karnataka
Hero stone from 10th century with Old Kannada inscription at Trimurthi Narayana Gudi,Karnataka
Hero stone with 1152 CE Old Kannada inscription, Shimoga district, Karnataka
Hero stone with 1152 CE Old Kannada inscription, Shimoga district, Karnataka
Hero stone with 1152 CE Old Kannada inscription, Shimoga district, Karnataka
Hero stone with 1152 CE Old Kannada inscription, Shimoga district, Karnataka
Hero stone with 1152 CE Old Kannada inscription, Shimoga district, Karnataka
Hero stone from Later Chalukya period at Siddhesvara temple at Haveri inHaveri district,Karnataka
Singh, Upinder (2009).A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India:From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. India: Pearsons Education.ISBN978-81-317-1120-0.
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