Unrecognised and forgotten, carved stones detailing city’s history from as far back as far as the 7th century are being lost to the city’s relentless development
Bangalore, or Bengaluru as it is now called, is a fast-changing city. In only a couple of decades its unchecked growth has destroyed much of its heritage, including classic buildings such as the Victoria Hotel, Cash Pharmacy and Krumbiegel Hall. Numerous ancient trees have also been destroyed. But dotted around the multi-lane highways and mushrooming software parks are a unique reminder of the past.
These are inscription stones, dating as far back as the 7th century, and written in Kannada, the local language of Karnataka, the state of which Bengaluru is now capital. But the stones also carry Tamil and Telugu inscriptions, the local languages of neighbouring states. The stones are all made of granite, varying in size from 90x120cm (3x4ft) to 215x150cm (7x5ft). Some only bear inscriptions, others have carvings of kings, subjects, war scenes, horses and nymphs. Together, they form a detailed picture of the names and conquests of Bangalore’s past rulers – one king is described as the “champion of moustaches” – and fascinating snippets about ordinary daily life in Bangalore as far back as the 8th century.
But of 152 known stones – the last recorded number – many have been lost. Those that remain are often forgotten and sit unrecognised in car parks, near bus stops or jammed in between busy highways.
Now a race against time is on to document the stones, by photographing, mapping and tagging them with QR codes, using high-resolution 3D optical scans – and when all else fails removing them to safer locations.
“We estimate that nearly 120 stones have been lost to construction in the last 15 years,” says Udaya Kumar, who along with Vinay Kumar (no relation) started a community movement called the Inscription Stones of Bangalore to save these relics from being swallowed up by development.
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