Experts found a stone belonging to the 15th-century Vijayanagara empire in the Udupi district in Karnataka. The inscription on the stone has 38 lines in Kannada, and it clearly states the date.
A statement from officials said the date is mentioned as 1442 Varthamana Pramadhi Samvatsarada Shravana Shuddha 15 Budhawara which means August 21, 1519 AD. This suggests the stone belongs to the times of Tuluva king Krishnadevaraya.
The inscription has the headline 'Swasti Sri Ganadhipataye Namah'. Carvings of conch, chakra, sun, and moon were also recognised. During the time mentioned on the stone, the Barakoora state was ruled by Vijyappa Odeya, son of Ratnappa Odeya. The inscription is a prayer for the long life and prosperity of ruler Vijayappa Odeya.
Officials said the stone had also received a donation from Keshava Upadhyaya, son of Eshana Upadhyaya of Angirasa Gothra.
The Vijayanagara Empire was established in 1336 in the Deccan Plateau region by two brothers of the Sangama dynasty. Also called the Karnata Kingdom, the dynasty is said to have collapsed after 1614. Being one of the prominent dynasties of South India, the remains of the Empire is found all across the region. It is popular for its architectural style. One of the prominent spots, Gampi is a World Heritage Site.
The stone is 5 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide. It was found on land owned by Sanjeeva Prabhu. Shruthesh Acharya, director of St Aloysius College, studied the inscription with Prof SA Krishnaiah, director of Oriental Archives Research Centre.