Halmidi inscription
| Halmidi inscription | |
|---|---|
Digital Twin Image of Halmidi Inscription | |
| General Information | |
| Dynasty | Kadamba |
| Material | Stone |
| Inscription type | Endowment Inscription |
| Script | Kannada |
| Language | Pre-old Kannada |
| Condition | Conserved |
| Discovery | |
| Place found | Halmidi |
| Date discovered | 1936 |
| Date created | 450CE - 500CE |
| Current location | Government Museum, Bengaluru |
| Contents of the Inscription | |
| Engraver | Kavi Kubja |
| King mentioned | Kakustha |
| Cities/Places mentioned | Naridavile Province |
| Names of people mentioned | Mrigesa, Naga |
| Location and Status | |
| Official designation | Oldest known Kannada-Language Inscription |
The Halmidi inscription is the oldest known Kannada-language inscription in the Kadamba script. While estimates vary slightly, the inscription is often dated to between 450 CE - 500 CE. The inscription was discovered in 1936 by Dr. M. H. Krishna, the Director of Archaeology of the (princely) State of Mysore (present-day Karnataka region of India), in Halmidi, a village in the Hassan district.
The original inscription is kept in the Office of the Director of Archaeology and Museums, Govt. of Karnataka, Mysore, and a fibreglass replica has been installed in Halmidi.