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Guttala Inscription: Earliest Record of Drought Deaths in India

21 May 20251 min read
NATIONAL AFFAIRSGuttala Inscription:Earliest Record ofDrought Deaths inIndia21 May 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

ASI epigraphist K. Munirathnam Reddy found a stone inscription near Chandrashekara temple that documents a drought catastrophe.

Key facts

  • Date: Saka 1461 (Vikari, Bhadrapada su.5).
  • Content: Marulaih Odeya buried the victims, for the merit of local ruler Timmarasa Svami, with obeisance to Basaveshwara.
  • Carving: a man carrying a basket with 2 to 3 bodies on his head.

Significance

  • Rare direct evidence of drought deaths and of 16th-century responses.
  • Useful for climate, demographic and disaster-response studies.

ASI drive, 2024-25

  • Over 1,000 inscriptions copied across India; 100+ in 2025 so far.

Exam angle

  • Site: Guttala, Haveri; language: Kannada.

Test yourself

1. How many drought deaths does the Guttala inscription record?

The inscription documents the death of 6,307 people from drought.

2. In which district of Karnataka was the 1539 CE drought inscription found?

It was found near Chandrashekara temple at Guttala in Haveri district.

3. In which language is the Guttala sculptural inscription written?

The notes state the language and script are Kannada.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 21 May 2025 (20 topics).

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