The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums in Karnataka is perhaps the oldest among the State Departments of Archaeology in the country. It had a humble beginning in 1885. Yet the Directorate did pioneering work in surveying valuable historical and cultural remains, lithic records, copper plates, coins, monuments, ancient sites etc. Later it carried out important excavations. The results of these investigations have thrown fresh light on the history and culture of Karnataka.
Besides the preservation of our cultural heritage, an important function of the Directorate is to publish reports of discoveries and studies pertaining to them. The Directorate has carried out this responsibility with distinction: Epigraphia Carnatica in 12 columes and its supplements, annual reports of the Department,, guide books on important historical places, monographs and technical reports on the archaeological excavations carried out by the Directorate have all been published from time to time. And they have been acclaimed by scholars as well as general readers.
It is, therefore, most appropriate that the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has planned to bring out as part of its Centenary a series of publications on different aspects of archaeology, such as Prehistory, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, etc. I am sure the publications will be of use to scholars and common readers alike.
One of the legitimate and fundamental duties of the Directorate of Archa-cology and Museums, is to take care of all archaeological monuments and other kinds of material vestiges of historical and cultural importance in the State. Karnataka is one of the stupendously rich in cultural relics: Prehistoric habitational/burial sites, town sites of historical period; devalayas, basadis, Chaityalayas, masjids, mausolia, forts, tanks; records mostly royal orders engraved on stone, copper etc.; stone sculptures; bronzes carvings on wood, ivory etc., and many other kinds of objects of artistic excellence and historical value ranging from pre historic to the recent times scattered in many thousands all over the State unfortunately without any protection. The Government therefore have been trying their best to preserve these relics as they are the most important sources for the reconstruction of the factual history and culture of the land; to make the heritage knowa to people at large and scholors; to create an awareness about and pride in them and in their past history and culture and for the posterity for their enjoyment and appreciation of the cultural achievements in the past.
The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has at present under its control nearly 800 monuments and remains in different parts of the State. Of them a Palace of the Keladi Nayakas' period popularly ascribed to Shivappa Nayaka in Shimoga is one- As a part of the Centenary programmes of the Directorate, conservation of this Palace was begun on 24th August 1984 and completed in June 1986. In this Palace the Archaeological museum of this Directorate till then housed in a small library hall of the City Municipality. has been transferred to this complex and arranged. A garden suitable to the surroundings of the monument is now being raised.
The conservation of this monument of historical importance, has been a major work and needed serious study to restore its original form and character-In the course of the work many more interesting material evidences regarding the extant and history of the Palace, have come to light so much so they present an interesting account and form an important part of the history of architecture during the Keladi Nayaka period.A monograph therefore here has been presented on the history, conservation and architecture of the Palace and the related monuments as a second part of the Volume V dealing with architecture and sculpture of essentially the Kealdi period in Shimoga area.
Who had caused this palace to be built: Shivappa Nayaka or some other Fuler? There are no now clear evidences to answer definitely this question-However, Shivappa Nayaka as discussed in the following account, appears to have a distinct role in the restoration of the Palace. Hence the popular supposition probably partially correct prevalent in the locality. has been retained for the time being. In future if new evidence indicating unambiguosly the builder, the problem will appropriately be re-examined.
For technical terms, proper names of temples for rendering the inscriptions into Roman script and for the proper names of the Kejadi rulers only in the appended gesealogical table, the diacritical marks have been used for understanding their correct pronunciation. These marks have not been repeated for the names of the Kelidi rulers referred to in the body of the text to facilitate easy reading.
In this context I must remember gratefully my colleagues who have toiled much in the work of conservation, in setting up the museum and in pre-paring this monograph. Sri B. Jayappa, Assistant Executive Engineer, in charge of the conservation programme of the Directorate, Sri K.N. Puttanna. Assistant Engineer, have carried out the conservation work. Especially Sri Puttanna has worked over a long period at the site. Sri S.G. Samak assisted the Director in clearing the concealed part of the remains of the brick building of the Palace. Sri K.N. Nanjundaswamy, Curator and the peons, attendants etc, of his and of Registering Officer, have worked a lot in setting up the museum under the guidance of the Director. Sri D.V. Devaraju. Registering Officer, has assisted the Director especially in the matter of correspondence pertaining to the handing over of the Palace from the Department of Forest to this Directorate. Among the local people who took keen interest in our work of the Palace Sri Narayana Sastry and his colleagues, Bharat Foundries have rendered help in providing cranes and competent men of their Foundry especially in setting up the main stone gateway-Especially Sri Siddaiah Hiremath has been a constant source of encouragement and occasional help. Similarly others: Sri M. C Maheswarappa, Sri Ballekere Hanumanthappa, Sri H.V. Dattatreya Sastry, Sri Narasimha Murthy Mahishi and others used to visit the Palace during the conservation work in progress, appreciated and gave unstinted encouragement to us in our work. Sri H.A. Narasimha Murthy Alyangar, priest, and his brothers, Sri Köje Anjandya Svamy temple, drew our attention to a pillar inscription of the temple and helped in copying the inscription and taking photographs. Similarly Sri Rama bhatta and Sri S. R. Nagabhushana, priests respectively of Sri Bhimosvara and Si Chandika Durga Paramsivari temples, rendered friendly co-operation and help in taking photographs of these temples The Range Forest Officer and his staff, Shankar Range, Sh moga whose Office was housed in the Palace, especially Sri Bulagannavar the District Conservator of Forests have rendered immense co-operation while the conservation work was in progress. The Deputy Commissioners: Sri Subhir Harisingh, Sri D. Tanga Raju and Sri. B. Eswarappa, used to visit the Palace, now and then and gave full cooperation.
I am assisted in the collection of data published references for the preparation of the monograph etc., by Sarva Sri S-G. Samak, K.G. Bhatt Soori; by Sri Balaraja Naidu, Photographer: Sri C. Kuppachar, Draughtsman, respectively for the photographs and drawings illustrated herein in typing the monograph by Smt. K.R. Shobha mostly, Sri S. Jothirlingeswarappa, Sri H.N. Anantharamu, and Sint Padmavati T-K.; in checking the proof by Sri T. S. Gangadhara. Sri Narasimhan proprietor and his staff. Samskrita Sahitya Sadana, Mysore have neatly printed the monograph in a record time. Once again I thank these officers, my colleagues and my friends in Shimoga for their sincere cooperation, assistance and encouragement both in the conservation of the Palace and the preparation of this monograph.
This Directorate is in no way responsible for views and theories if any expressed by the author in the academic discussions in the text of this monograph.
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist