Experts Correct Errors in 20% of Kannada Inscriptions

Bengaluru: A significant discovery has emerged from the Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project, where experts have identified and corrected errors in at least 20% of the content from previously studied Kannada inscriptions across Karnataka. This revelation has already rectified some longstanding historical anomalies.

Over the past four years, experts from the Mythic Society, working on digitising inscriptions in the state, noticed discrepancies between the original inscriptions and the existing literature on them. Startled by the extent of these errors, they embarked on a meticulous project to identify and correct the most common mistakes. The team combed through nearly 30,000 characters, finding that over 3,700 had been misread or misunderstood, leading to significant historical inaccuracies.

Common Misreads and Corrections

The most commonly misread characters include Ra, Da, Ya, Ka, Va, and Ga. For instance, the character Ka was often misread as Ra, or Sa was mistaken for Na, especially when the text on the stone was unclear. These errors, while sometimes minor, could significantly alter the meaning of inscriptions.

In total, over 4,700 corrections were made, providing more clarity on 31 places, 28 individuals, and 40 dates. This has enabled historians to establish more precise timelines for the construction of heritage buildings and significant historical events.

Udaya Kumar P L, the founder of the conservation project, shared an illustrative example: the date on the Katanayakanapura inscription, located near Hemmigepura, was corrected from 1346 CE to 1336 CE. This correction disputes a previous assertion made in B Lewis Rice’s Epigraphia Carnatica, which claimed the last Hoysala inscription in the region was dated 1346 CE.

Another striking example is the correction of the place name “Saramu” to “Sarakki” in the Begur Nagatara hero stone inscription, dating back to 900 CE. Sarakki, now a well-known locality in south Bengaluru, can now be traced back at least 1,124 years, offering new insights into the region’s history.

However, Udaya Kumar noted that not all corrections have significant impacts. “A majority of them are orthographic corrections that don’t substantially alter the meaning of the earlier readings,” he explained.

Causes of Errors

The errors in comprehension could be attributed to various factors, including the texture of the stone, erosion over time, the handwriting of the person who etched the inscription, and the historical period in which each inscription was created. These factors contributed to the frequent misreading of characters, leading to errors in historical records.

Future Implications

Looking ahead, the project has broader implications for future research. “Based on the data we identified, data science students from NMKRV College for Women in Jayanagar have used existing data science tools to create a programme that can quickly identify these errors in over 200 Kannada inscriptions,” said Udaya Kumar.

Karnataka is estimated to have around 30,000 inscriptions, with nearly 50% yet to be discovered and studied. This effort, which combines historical knowledge with modern data tools, will assist future discoveries by epigraphists and historians. By identifying which letters are most likely to be misunderstood, researchers can pay closer attention to these areas, improving the accuracy of their studies.

“This work will also help us develop a dictionary of Kannada characters and their changes over the years,” Udaya Kumar added. “In the future, historians can refer to this dictionary for more accurate readings of inscriptions, ensuring that our understanding of Karnataka’s history continues to improve.”

The Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project’s work marks a crucial step forward in preserving and accurately interpreting Karnataka’s rich epigraphic heritage. The corrections not only enhance our understanding of the past but also pave the way for more accurate historical research in the future.