12th-Century Hoysala Veeragallu Found in Karnataka

A 12th-century Veeragallu, or hero stone, from the reign of Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana was discovered in Maniyur village in Nagamangala taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka, on May 21, 2026. Veeragallu are memorial stones found across parts of southern India and are associated with warriors, cattle defence, and local conflicts in the medieval period.

Veeragallu in Karnataka

Veeragallu are stone memorials erected in memory of people who died in battle, while protecting cattle, or during other acts of valour. Such stones are found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, and many examples belong to the Hoysala, Yadava, and Vijayanagara periods.

Hoysala Period and Vishnuvardhana

The Hoysala Empire ruled parts of present-day Karnataka between the 10th and 14th centuries CE. Vishnuvardhana was a Hoysala ruler of the 12th century, and inscriptions from his period often appear in medieval Kannada script and language.

Recent Hero Stone Discoveries in Karnataka

On April 11, 2026, a rare 12th-century Viragal with a medieval Kannada inscription was found near Belur in Hassan district. The inscription commemorated a local warrior who died during a border skirmish between the Hoysalas and the Seunas of Devagiri, and it included village names and tax details. On November 15, 2024, a 12th-century Veeragallu from the Yadava, also called Sevuna, period was unearthed near Chikkabidare village in Harihara taluk of Davanagere district. The stone depicted a Maha Sati scene, in which a veeranari embraces her martyred husband on a funeral pyre. In January 2023, a 13th-century Hoysala hero stone was discovered at the Shambulingeshwara temple in Chaakashettyhalli, Mandya district. Another 13th-century Hoysala Veeragallu, dated February 17, 1209, was found near Bakashettihalli village in Mandya district and depicted a husband and wife committing suicide together.

Important Facts for Exams

• Veeragallu is a Kannada term used for hero stones or memorial stones.
• Belur in Hassan district is a major Hoysala heritage site in Karnataka.
• Devagiri was the capital associated with the Seuna or Yadava dynasty.
• Medieval Kannada inscriptions are important sources for political, social, and land-related history.

Archaeological Context

Hampi Kannada University and the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada have been linked with the study of such inscriptions and memorial stones. Hero stones from Karnataka often provide details on warfare, cattle raids, local administration, and commemorative practices in medieval South India.