The Keladi Kingdom has earned encomiums from a majority of the foreign visitors who were extremely happy to spend sometime in this great kingdom. Perhaps this was the last Hindu kingdom in Karnataka barring the Wodeyars. Peter Mundy wrote that Keladi kings were usually hospitable to the ambassadors and other state guests. Dr. John Fryer paid handsome tribute to the maintenance of law and order. Generally, the people of Keladi kingdom were law abiding; the instances of administration of justice and of punishments were few and far between. Alexander Hamilton's comment that robbery or murder were hardly heard of among them and a stranger may pass through this country without being questioned or harassed is a great testimony. Canter Visscher's remarks are more interesting. The roads were so secure and safe that any stranger might go and sleep there with bags full of money and nobody would molest or rob him. Perhaps the best observation is from Stokes who states, "I have nowhere in India seen so much honesty and veracity as among the country people of Nagara". These comments are just enough to call Keladi Kingdom glorious. But this is not all. Keladi played an important role in the political arena of the period and its rulers were famous as benevolent kings.
These kings contributed in rich measure to the maintenance of the army, land revenue administration, social solidarity, prosperous economic organizations involving trade and commerce both inland and outside. The religious harmony practiced by the kings and queens of this dynasty was far ahead of their times, Queen Chennammaji shines in this sphere as a bright star. Her advice avoid acts of sin, practice noble deeds and meditate upon the feet of Almighty, show mercy to all living beings' is relevant to all times, including the present. The rulers of Keladi have become famous in the history of architecture and sculpture as testified by their excellent temples like Virabhadra, Ramesvara and many others.
This fascinating story of the past has been narrated graphically by Keladi Gunda Jois, a veteran in the field of Keladi history and culture. He has been mainly responsible for the establishment of the Keladi Museum and Research Institute. For the past three decades he has been writing on various aspects of Keladi. The present monograph written to acquaint general readers of the glory of Keladi is sure to be warmly welcomed for its simplicity. This will be useful in popularizing the cultural heritage of Karnataka to which this Directorate is committed. Hence I am happy to publish this interesting monograph from this Directorate. I hope the Kannadigas and others interested in our heritage will welcome monographs like the present one.
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