Malleshwaram inscriptions and hero stones

Malleshwara is a northwestern locality in Bengaluru, recognized as one of the city's oldest planned areas. While Malleshwara was developed on modern lines as a new residential locality in 1898 following a plague epidemic, historical evidence, including inscriptions and a hero stone, points to a much older history for the area and its surroundings. These artifacts contribute significantly to Bengaluru's rich epigraphic heritage, a city with over 175 documented inscription stones. The area yields two significant Kannada inscriptions and is linked to a notable hero stone (Veeragallu). A key inscription from 1669 CE records the donation of the village of Medaraninganahalli to the Mallapura Mallikarjuna temple by the Maratha king Ekoji I. Another fragmentary inscription was found at Jakkarayanakere. Additionally, a 10th-century hero stone, commemorating a tiger hunt, was discovered on the grounds of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), which now occupies the land formerly belonging to Medaraninganahalli. The name "Mallapura," the historical precursor to Malleshwara, likely originates from the Kannada words Male or Malai (hill) and Pura (town), meaning "town on the hill". Over time, this evolved into Malleshwara. In early official correspondence, the area is spelled variously by officials and residents as Malleswaram, Mallesvarum, Malleswara, Mallesvaram, and Malleshwarim. This a

Archaeological site data from Wikidata (CC0). Summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).