Historical Inscriptions in Hoskote at Risk, Urgent Call for Government Protection

Hoskote, a region rich in historical significance, is home to more than 210 inscriptions that offer valuable insights into its past. These inscriptions, which span several centuries, document the social, religious, political, and economic landscapes of various dynasties that ruled the region, including the Nolambas, Gangas, Hoysalas, Cholas, Vijayanagara rulers, and Sugatur chieftains.

Despite their historical importance, more than 50 inscriptions in the Hoskote taluk are reportedly missing, raising serious concerns about the preservation of this invaluable heritage. While metal inscriptions have fared relatively better, stone inscriptions—equally significant—have been subjected to neglect, destruction, and repurposing. Many have been used as construction materials by locals, contributing to their deterioration and loss.

The inscriptions in Hoskote cover a wide array of topics, from donation records and lake construction details to temple renovation plaques, battle memorials (Veeragallu), Mastikallu (hero stones), and even hunting memorials depicting tiger and boar hunts. These artifacts serve as important historical documents that reveal the region’s cultural and political history. In the last few years alone, 15–20 new inscriptions have been discovered, with researchers continuing to uncover more hidden gems.

Historian Vijayashankar has pointed out that many previously undocumented inscriptions have been identified thanks to dedicated research efforts. He believes that further studies, under the guidance of senior experts, could reveal even more lost chapters of Hoskote’s past.

Despite the ongoing efforts to document and study these inscriptions, many have already been lost. For instance, Veeragallu stones from the Nolamba period in Banahalli village, Nandagudi hobli, were found broken and submerged in a lake. These stones are now believed to have been destroyed or repurposed for construction, further diminishing the available historical record.

Local residents are growing increasingly concerned about the fate of these inscriptions. Many have called for the state and central governments to take immediate action to protect these invaluable pieces of history. There is a growing demand for collaboration between government authorities and municipal bodies to implement measures to safeguard these ancient artifacts for future generations.

The situation has prompted local historians and residents alike to call for stronger protective measures. They argue that more needs to be done to raise awareness about the importance of preserving historical inscriptions and to implement legal protections to prevent further destruction. Locals are also urging for increased funding and resources to preserve these inscriptions in situ or relocate them to museums or heritage sites where they can be properly safeguarded.

As the demand for preservation grows, there is hope that the government will heed these concerns and take the necessary steps to protect and preserve Hoskote’s rich historical heritage. The ongoing research and the discovery of new inscriptions highlight the region’s potential to shed more light on Karnataka’s cultural and historical narrative, but only if these invaluable artifacts are properly preserved for future generations.