Haveri: Stone Inscription Reveals Story of Man Who Buried 6,307 During 1539 Famine

A rare 16th-century sculpture and inscription discovered near Chandrashekhara Temple in Guttal village, Haveri district (Karnataka) has brought to light the extraordinary humanitarian story of Marulayya, a man who performed last rites for over 6,000 unclaimed bodies during a devastating famine and epidemic in 1539. This unique inscription was studied and revealed by Dr. R Shejeshwara, Director, Karnataka State Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, Kamalapura-Hampi.

Unique Discovery and its Context

• Historical Context:
  • The inscription dates to Bhadrapada Shukla Panchami, Vikari Samvatsara (August 18, 1539 CE) — during the reign of Achyutaraya, ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. This period witnessed a severe famine and probable outbreak of epidemic in the Haveri region.
• Location and Identification: It is found near Chandrashekhara Temple in Guttal village, Haveri district, the stone had been long overlooked despite being noted in academic theses and the Dharwad Gazetteer. It was not until the inscription was fully deciphered and contextually understood by Dr. Shejeshwara and his team that its true importance emerged.
• Sculptural Representation:
  The stone sculpture portrays Marulayya in a solemn yet powerful pose:
  • Bearded and with sacred ash on his forehead
  • Holding a bamboo basket (jalle) with two corpses, one in each hand
  • Carrying a chaamara (ceremonial fan) in one hand
  • A Shiva Linga is carved next to him, sanctifying the act

• Act of Compassion and Service:
  Marulayya carried and performed final rites for 6,307 unclaimed bodies — an act unprecedented in documented global history, especially captured in such sculptural and epigraphic detail.
• Nature of the Deed:
  The inscription does not portray Marulayya’s act as boastful. Instead, it is recorded as an act of punya (meritorious service) dedicated to his overlord Pattada Timmaswamy — suggesting a deeply rooted cultural and spiritual sense of duty.
• Inscription Details:
  The stone carries 33 lines in old Kannada script:
• 20 lines on the right side
• 13 lines on the left side
  These lines provide precise historical details including date, event, and individuals involved.
• Cultural and Ethical Legacy: The site is now being viewed as a monument to selfless service, breaking from conventional themes of heroism based on war or power and highlighting ordinary human virtue in extreme adversity.

Historical Significance and Future Preservation

• Rare Combination of Inscription and Sculpture: It is unparalleled globally to find an instance where such a large-scale humanitarian act — not political or royal in nature — is immortalised with both inscription and sculpture.
• Academic and Cultural Impact: The discovery is expected to reframe local and regional histories, offering insight into the socio-cultural values of the Vijayanagara period, where even the actions of non-royal individuals were deemed worthy of preservation.
• Preservation Efforts: The Karnataka State Department of Archaeology has documented the site in detail and expressed intent to preserve the stone for public viewing and academic research.
• Research Collaboration: The discovery was made possible through the efforts of Dr. Ravikumar K. Navalagund and Dr. Chamaraj Kammar, who assisted Dr. Shejeshwara in fieldwork.