Recent Progress in Archaeology in South India
Summary
The article discusses recent archaeological progress in South India and the Deccan, focusing on epigraphic findings, inscriptions, and historical clarifications. It highlights three Salankdyana copper plate grants from Kanteru and Pedda-Vigi, which shed light on the dynasty's genealogy, linking Hasti-varman to the Vengi kings defeated by Samudragupta. A Korni copper plate details the Eastern Ganga kings' lineage up to Anantavarman Coda. Coda inscriptions reveal social practices like temple donations and land grants. The Nayaka ruler Vijayaranga of Madurai is noted for religious patronage, with statues preserved in Srirangam Temple. Tamil inscriptions reference Kamban, the *Ramayana*'s translator, and his patron Sadaiyan. In Mysore, surveys protected monuments like the Jain Basadi and Hariharedvara Temple. Sanskrit manuscripts describe Shaiva saints' lives, with debated chronologies for figures like Dabhrabhakta and Sundaranambinayanar. Key epigraphic finds include Kadamba and Western Ganga grants, clarifying feudal ties and historical timelines. The Nizam's Department reported conservation efforts at Ellora and Ajanta, including fresco restoration and photography. Persian inscriptions and coins, including rare Jayabahu fanams, were discovered. The revived Hyderabad Archaeological Society and state efforts to document Hindu-Muslim antiquities underscore growing scholarly interest.
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Conclusion
This document highlights significant archaeological advancements in South India, particularly in clarifying dynastic genealogies and religious transitions. The discovery of Silankdyana copper plates resolved longstanding questions about Hastivarman's lineage, linking him to the Vengi kings defeated by Samudragupta. Similarly, the Kim Choua Inscription provided crucial evidence for Buddhism's persistence in Campi beyond the twelfth century, challenging earlier assumptions. The Eastern Ganga copper-plate from Korni illuminated the political ambitions of Anantavarman Coda, while Nayaka inscriptions revealed socio-religious practices and charitable acts. The study of Shaiva Nayanmars' hagiographies refined chronologies, situating key figures like Dabhrabhakta and Gnanasambandar within a narrower timeframe. These findings collectively enhance our understanding of South India's political structures, religious dynamics, and cultural evolution during this period.