Rashtrakuta Inscriptions of Kaladigi
Rashtrakuta Inscriptions of Kaladigi are a group of inscriptions at Kaladigi, Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India.
Overview
The Kaladigi inscriptions include royal charters, temple inscriptions, and land grants from the Rashtrakuta and Western Chalukya dynasties, dating from the 8th to 12th centuries CE.
Historical Context
Kalyani (Basavakalyan, in present-day Bidar district) was the capital of the Western Chalukyas, who succeeded the Rashtrakutas in the Deccan. The inscriptions document the transition of power between these dynasties. The Rashtrakuta inscriptions at nearby Ellora and other sites record royal donations and military campaigns. The Kaladigi inscriptions include the famous Jaina donations of the early Western Chalukya period.
Features/Significance
The inscriptions demonstrate the multilingual administrative culture of the medieval Deccan, using Sanskrit, Kannada, and Telugu. The Kaladigi inscriptions document the development of the Kannada language and literature. They provide evidence of the agrahara system, temple economy, and religious patronage across the Deccan.
Modern Status
The inscriptions are preserved at various museums in Karnataka and are key sources for the political and cultural history of the medieval Deccan. They remain active subjects of epigraphic study.
Verification Notes
- ASI site code: KA-BDR-2
- Inscriptions dating 8th-12th centuries CE
- Multilingual: Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu