Thanks to Snehal Shirrati for this ancient coins photos.
The Post Card reads as :
To, Mip Knight,
153 Schoeman Street,
Iretoia,
South Africa.
Jain Temple build near Supply and Transport Office in Fort is place of public worship for Hindus (but actually Jains) of higher class. There are three of these temples in the fort.
Yours Etc
a. Dholomr
Not many know that there was a church in the fort (including me).
Aziz who has spent many years around the fort area gave some insight on the fort Church. The church was during the British era and there is a reference to this in the gazetteer of Campbell. No ruins remain, but legend has it that it was located after the PWD offices on the left side as one enters from Durga Devi gate, before Deshpande’s bungalow, there is a teak plantation there now.
THE FORT CHURCH - called Christ Church was 112 ft long with a pleasing interior, built in 1833 and contained several monuments and memorial windows.The church front was in black marble. Its apse was designed by General Merriman R.E. to commemorate the services of Mr. Charles James Mason, of the Bombay Civil Service, who when Acting Political Agent, South Maratha Country, was murdered by the chief of Nargund in 1858. The Apse and Memorial window at the east of the church were erected by Mason’s friends in affectionate memory of his public worth. Of the 6 other tablets, 1 is to Lieutenant W.P.Shakespeare, A.P.Campbell & Ensign W.Caldwell who fell in Kolhapur and Savantvadi insurrection in 1844.
Club Road inside Belgaum Fort.
KURAS OF BELGAUM/KOLHAPUR 30BC - 65AD
The south west region was ruled by the Kuras during the 1st century AD and they were the major power. Brahmapuri and Madhavapur (Kolhapur and Belgaum) were the two major seats. Some of the military achievements over Chutus shows the influence of Chutus in their coinage. They mainly ruled between 30 BC and 65 AD as could be understood by the victory of Nahapana over Kuras. The King Vilivayukura is even quoted in Ptolemy's work and seems to be the last king who was defeated by the Satavahanas giving way for Chutus to circulate their coins in this area. All the coins minted by the Kuras were in lead. The bow and arrow decorated the coin obverse and the reverse of their coinage usually carried Chaitya, railed tree and river symbols along with the Brahmi legend along the periphery.
Source : http://prabhu.50g.com/southind/kura/south_kura.
Ruler : King Vasithiputra
Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Unit : Pb (lead) Karshapana, 10.1gm
Obverse : Bow & Arrow, legend in Brahmi:Siri Vasisthiputrasa
Reverse : Tree in railing on lt; Multi arched hill on rt
Reference : TA#014, RRR
Ruler : King Vasishtiputra Vilivayukura
Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Unit : Pb (lead) Karshapana, 27 mm, 12.1gm
Obverse : Bow & Arrow, legend in Brahmi: Vasisthiputrasa vilivaykurasa
Reverse : Tree in railing on lt; multi arched hill on rt
Reference : MCSI1, #91, R
Ruler : King Gautamiputra Vilivayukura
Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Unit : Lead (Pb) Karshapana, 30mm, 13.4gm
Obverse : Bow & Arrow, legend in Brahmi: Gotamiputasa vilivaykurasa
Reverse : multi arched hill with tree above, all in a rectanlge containing river symbol
Reference : TA#015, RRR
Ruler : King Gautamiputra Vilivayukura
Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Unit : Lead (Pb) Karshapana, 30mm, 3.0gm
Obverse : Bow & Arrow, legend in Brahmi: Gotamiputasa vilivaykurasa
Obverse : 10 arched hill with tree above, all in a rectanlge containing river symbol
Reference : MCSI1, #102, R
Vintage B/W British Indian Postcard. The Fort Musjid, Belgaum with Double Bullock Cart and Street Scene.
The Fort Musjid, known as Safa Masjid which was once a Shiva Temple later was demolished and changed to Safa Masjid by King Adil Shah. Today this is within the premisis of Indian Army/Military Area and is highly secured. Read the blog below for Safa Masjid fof more details.
St. Mary's Church, Camp - Belgaum about 100 years ago.
Vintage B/W British Indian Postcard. Interior of St. Mary's Church, Camp - Belgaum.
In my endeavor to get you the past of Belgaum, with some nostalgic old photos, which have never been published in any local new paper until date, here is another one.This photo is of the Northern gate of the Fort taken in 1910. We can see British Army personals near the gate discussing and one fellow mate is ready to take a photo with a close type camera. Some Indians are watching them sitting below the tree
Many readers will say why is this site becoming historical then latest, Friends history is history and we have to learn from history. Uday K found it on Ebay. I am really thankful for his efforts he has taken to find the old photo.
[ Source : AllAboutBelgaum.com ]
by ROHIT R PHALGAONKAR
Posted on 2009-02-05
Goa is blessed to have examples of both; the early architectural styled monument of the Kadambs and a monument of the later period. The temple of Shri Mahadev which was shifted from Kurdi to the plateau near the Salauli Dam is an example of early architectural style of this dynasty; whereas the temple of Shri Mahadev at Tambdi Surla is a unique example of the later period. The historic monument of Tambdi Surla can be assigned to the 13th century. It incorporates Chalukyan, Hoysal and Yaadav architecture.Most of the temples built by them appear to have been carved out from schist stone. Same is the case with the temple at Tambdi Surla. Attempts were also made by the Kadambs to use local material for carving. This is evident from the Shri Mahadev temple of Kurdi. This 10th century temple is perhaps the only documented temple in which laterite stone was used for carving. This stone was perhaps avoided later on due its softness, which makes it unsuitable for carving. Moreover laterite is also not very durable as compared to schist stone.
Belgaum is an ideal shopping centre for many Goans. But a very few of us are oblivious of an architectural wonder of the Goa Kadamb Dynasty standing in the Fort of Belgaum. The temple of Jain Mahavir is a monument worth admiring. The area in which the temple stands is called Kamal Basti. There are many reasons given behind this name. Some opine that it was built by the 12th century Kadamb Queen Kamaladevi whereas some opine that it is because of the of the massive lotus ceiling in the temple which gave the area that name, as Kamal means a lotus.
Whatever may be the reason behind the name, the temple was definitely built by the Goa Kadamb dynasty during the 12th century. The temple is divided into four main parts. The Rang Mandap, the Maha Mandap, the Antraalai and the Garbgrih.
Temples normally have a front porch, which enters into the main hall. But in this case the front porch is combined with the Rang Mandap. The Rang Mandap has a star shaped plinth with a huge Rang Shilaa in the centre. The Rang Shilaa is a round stone platform which was used for performances and hence the name Rang Mandap. The pillars in this Mandap are highly polished. One cannot afford to miss massive stone lotus ceiling with stone lotuses hanging in the middle. The lotuses carved out from stone hang below as if they are screwed to the roof. Looking at this ceiling one begins to wonder so as to how these marvels were created in the absence of electricity and modern tools.
The Maha Mandap too is decorated by ornate stone massive pillars. The Maha Mandap enters into the Antraalai which has a lantern shaped ceiling with lotus motifs. A stone Jaali (perforated screen) separates the Maha Mandap from the Antraalai. The lantern shaped ceiling and the stone Jaali are replicas of the ones existing in the Tambdi Surla temple. A similar stone Jaali attached to a doorway is found in Old Goa, which is mistaken to be the Gateway of Adil Shah’s palace. Various Jain deities and their consorts like Padmavati, Parshavnath etc are worshipped in the small niches in the Maha Mandap. The temple has a Shukh Naasi on the top. The Shikhar of the temple does not exist today and is said to have been destroyed during the attacks of invaders like Malik Kafur or the Bahamani Kings.
Near this temple another temple of the same era also exists. A little away from these two temples yet another stone temple is found. It is not known to which deity these two stone temples belonged to, as both their Garbgrihs do not survive today. They were probably destroyed during the Bahamani or Malik Kafur’s invasion.
So next time you go to Belgaum try to visit this ancient wonder at Kamal Basti!
[Source : http://www.navhindtimes.com/story.php?story=200902057]
Karnataka Tourism comes in favor of Kamal Basti
A new display board/hording has been put up by the Karnataka Tourism at the
Kudos to the Karnataka Tourism that it has come with a new taught to highlight Kamal Basti as a Tourist Spot along with the Belgaum Fort and
I request the Karnataka Tourism Department to add few more boards/hoardings along the Highway Roads which connects
Image Source : http://belgaumblog.com
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Temple Belgaum
No doubt India has different names, which we use them even today. India, Bharat and Hindustan all are the same. Similarly, Belgaum went through different name changes ever since the Ratta Dynasty started ruling this place. Below are the names it achieved in the past history.
Jirnasitapura - Old Belgaum and Shahpur, the then Sapur were together called Jirnasitapura in the 7th Century. [ Refrence Pg 138 of The Indian Antiquary ]
Vamsapura, it got this name when Queen Gunavati got a offspring from King Kuntamaraya. [ Refrence - Pg 140 of The Indian Antiquary ]
Venugrama or Velugrama or Ikshugrama was the name in 805 AD [ Refrence - Pg 862 of Karnataka State Gazetteer]
Venugram in 1199AD [ Refrence - Pg 862 of Karnataka State Gazetteer]
Azamnagar [ According to Mr. Strokes (Belgaum, 45), after the fall of bijapur, the fort of Belgaum remained for several years in possession of Aurangzeb's second son Azam and from him was called Azamnagar. This seems doubtful. According to Orme (Historical Fragments, 286-287) Belgaum was called Azamnagar under the Bijapur Kings. Refrence - Pg 547 Bombay of Gazzattee]
Mustafabad [ In memory of one of its Commandants or Killedars, who thoroughly repaired and strengthened the ramparts of the Belgaum Fort. Refrence - Pg 548 of Bombay Gazetteer ]
Belagugrama to Belugav to Belgavi [ Refrence - Pg 500 of Bombay Gazetteer ]
Mustafabad [ In memory of one of its Commandants or Killedars, who thoroughly repaired and strengthened the ramparts of the Belgaum Fort. Refrence - Pg 548 of Bombay Gazetteer ]
Belagugrama to Belugav to Belgavi [ Refrence - Pg 500 of Bombay Gazetteer ]
Belgaum - In 16 or 17th Century when the British East India Company were unable to pronounce the word Belgavi, they changes the name as per their accent and called it as Belgaum.
Till date, this is what we know today but not to worry as the JD(S) and BJP led coalition Govt forwarded a list of District Names of the Karnataka State to get changed and sent it to the Central Congress Govt in 2006 on the eve of 50th Year of Independence of Karnataka State. So belgaum is expecetd to get back its name from Belgaum to Belgavi.
Belgavi expected to get its name soon in near future.
Othere places name changes that were also related to Belgaum were :-
Yalur [ Refrence Book A Legend of Old Belgaum, May 1875 Pg - 139.]
Yellur as we know it today.
Sapur in 11th Century [ Refrence Pg 138 of The Indian Antiquary ]
Chapour in 1680 by the East India Company
Shahpur as we know it today.
Hrasvagiri in 11th Century [ Refrence Pg 138 of The Indian Antiquary ]
Anagola [ Refrence Pg 138 of The Indian Antiquary ]
Anagola [ Refrence Pg 138 of The Indian Antiquary ]
Angol as we know it today.
Kondanur in 11th Century.
Konnur as we know it today
People don't know there is an Original Story behind Old Belgaum. But this story below will clarify your doubts.
- How Belgaum was formed?
- Why the Jaina temples in Belgaum Fort were built?
- Who built the Belgaum Fort? Etc . . . .
It is hard to believe, but the truth was written long back with evidences by a British writer GILMOUR M’CORKELL in his book THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
He clearly tells that there were 108 Jain Temples in the premises of the present Belgaum Fort, which were demolished and overthrew by the then Musalman kings and ultimately with the same stone and pillars the Belgaum Fort as built.
He also clearly mentions in the Book:
He clearly tells that there were 108 Jain Temples in the premises of the present Belgaum Fort, which were demolished and overthrew by the then Musalman kings and ultimately with the same stone and pillars the Belgaum Fort as built.
He also clearly mentions in the Book:
but the earliest notice that we have of it is to be found in the Gulhalli inscription 1150 AD."
[ Reference Book A Legend of Old Belgaum, May 1875 Pg - 139 ].
[ Reference Book A Legend of Old Belgaum, May 1875 Pg - 139 ].
_______________________________* - * - *_______________________________
A LEGEND OF OLD BELGAUM
By: GILMOUR M’CORKELL, Bo. C. S.
By: GILMOUR M’CORKELL, Bo. C. S.
The Legend
There was a poet by name Sarasijabhavanandana, belonging to the ancient Jaina cast, and an inhabitant of Belgaum. He has composed in Old Kanarese language a short history of kings. Having, by means of rhetorical and an ornate Sanskrit expressions, applied such epithets as ripen as if they were plentiful given in the Karnataka Country, he has complied an account of Belgaum. In it we obtain full information of those kings who formerly were, their names, their good qualities, their castes, and the virtuous deeds that they preformed. And memorials of the acts which were done by those same kings are to be met with, even in the present day, in Belgaum, and are as written below :-
Sapur and Belgaum were formerly collectively called Jirnasitapura, and there lived there governor of the city of Samantapattana, whose name was Kuntamaraya, a Jaina by caste, very religious and compassionate. So the people had great joy and happiness. One day (it happened that) one hundred and eight Jaina sages, -- who had come from the South Country into the forest of Anagola, of which the name was formerly Hrasvagiri -- remained there all night, because their rules did not permit them to advance a single footstep during the darkness. When this news reached Kuntamaraya, the King, with the expressed assent of his wife Gunavati, went out to the sages and, having preformed respectful obeisance, besought them as follows :- “ Oh mighty saints, take pity upon me and bestow your favour upon me, so that my region may become famous.” But, as their custom was never to say anything at night, they held no converse with the king. Accordingly the king returned home in great despondency, (and, as he was going) sparks of fire fell from the torches, and the dry forest was set on fire, and all those sages were burnt to ashes.
On the following day, in the early morning the king again went into the forest and saw all those Jaina sages had been consumed. When they saw this, both husband and wife were much terrified and began to consider. Accordingly there and then, he proposed a plan to Gunavati, where by these Jaina sages might attain the state of final emancipation, -- as follows: - “Let us bring stones and build 108 temples, and, when we have performed worship to them, I shall accomplish the propagation of offspring.” When he has so said, they returned home, and, and in accordance with the above plan, he caused to build 108 Jaina temples at that very place where are even at the present day some Jaina Temples in the Fort of Belgaum. After he had initiated into the mysteries of the Jaina faith and had reigned for some time, Gunavati at length became pregnant. And now, although he had been very anxious that his wife should have children, his dread of not having any offspring vanished. On this account he gave to Belgaum the name of Vamsapura. Now the word in Marathi for Vamsa is Bel. In this manner we arrive at the name Belgaum.
Afterwards they lived in Old Belgaum, Santa the son of Kuntam the king of Savantavadi, famous, deeply learned in the mysterious of the Jaina religion, thoroughly skilled in the worship of the gods of forefather, very brave, and lauded by prince who are born in the races of the Sun and Moon, a supporter of the rules of the faith of the Kshatriyas, a protector of Jaina sages, very skilful in bestowing on the temples of Jinendra that wealth which consists in courtesans, &c. He had fourteen wives. The chief of there wives, by name Padmavati, was very famous. She had a son by Santa named Anantavirya. One day, attended by his retinue of maid-servants, &c. he (Santa) went to the river Sundarsana near Yalur for the purpose of playing in the water, and in the lake of Nagasarovara he met his death by a thunderbolt. Then three ministers of state came from Savantavadi and crowned Anantavirya King. He also reigned according to the customs of his fathers. One day, many sages, along whom Sudarsana was the chief, arrived. When he has made respectful obeisance to them, Anantavirya inquired concerning his ancestors, and those sages recounted from their Puranas the above story in which has been related to fate of King Santa.
Afterwards there was a king of his race and lineage by name Mallikarjuna. During his reign a famous Musalman by name Asta Khan (Asad Khan) came from Bengal, and, Asta Khan acquired the kingdom of treachery, he deposed him (Mallikarjuna), overthrew those one hundred and eight Jaina temples, and built a fort. Even at the present time we find stones (belonging to those in the fort).
Sapur and Belgaum were formerly collectively called Jirnasitapura, and there lived there governor of the city of Samantapattana, whose name was Kuntamaraya, a Jaina by caste, very religious and compassionate. So the people had great joy and happiness. One day (it happened that) one hundred and eight Jaina sages, -- who had come from the South Country into the forest of Anagola, of which the name was formerly Hrasvagiri -- remained there all night, because their rules did not permit them to advance a single footstep during the darkness. When this news reached Kuntamaraya, the King, with the expressed assent of his wife Gunavati, went out to the sages and, having preformed respectful obeisance, besought them as follows :- “ Oh mighty saints, take pity upon me and bestow your favour upon me, so that my region may become famous.” But, as their custom was never to say anything at night, they held no converse with the king. Accordingly the king returned home in great despondency, (and, as he was going) sparks of fire fell from the torches, and the dry forest was set on fire, and all those sages were burnt to ashes.
On the following day, in the early morning the king again went into the forest and saw all those Jaina sages had been consumed. When they saw this, both husband and wife were much terrified and began to consider. Accordingly there and then, he proposed a plan to Gunavati, where by these Jaina sages might attain the state of final emancipation, -- as follows: - “Let us bring stones and build 108 temples, and, when we have performed worship to them, I shall accomplish the propagation of offspring.” When he has so said, they returned home, and, and in accordance with the above plan, he caused to build 108 Jaina temples at that very place where are even at the present day some Jaina Temples in the Fort of Belgaum. After he had initiated into the mysteries of the Jaina faith and had reigned for some time, Gunavati at length became pregnant. And now, although he had been very anxious that his wife should have children, his dread of not having any offspring vanished. On this account he gave to Belgaum the name of Vamsapura. Now the word in Marathi for Vamsa is Bel. In this manner we arrive at the name Belgaum.
Afterwards they lived in Old Belgaum, Santa the son of Kuntam the king of Savantavadi, famous, deeply learned in the mysterious of the Jaina religion, thoroughly skilled in the worship of the gods of forefather, very brave, and lauded by prince who are born in the races of the Sun and Moon, a supporter of the rules of the faith of the Kshatriyas, a protector of Jaina sages, very skilful in bestowing on the temples of Jinendra that wealth which consists in courtesans, &c. He had fourteen wives. The chief of there wives, by name Padmavati, was very famous. She had a son by Santa named Anantavirya. One day, attended by his retinue of maid-servants, &c. he (Santa) went to the river Sundarsana near Yalur for the purpose of playing in the water, and in the lake of Nagasarovara he met his death by a thunderbolt. Then three ministers of state came from Savantavadi and crowned Anantavirya King. He also reigned according to the customs of his fathers. One day, many sages, along whom Sudarsana was the chief, arrived. When he has made respectful obeisance to them, Anantavirya inquired concerning his ancestors, and those sages recounted from their Puranas the above story in which has been related to fate of King Santa.
Afterwards there was a king of his race and lineage by name Mallikarjuna. During his reign a famous Musalman by name Asta Khan (Asad Khan) came from Bengal, and, Asta Khan acquired the kingdom of treachery, he deposed him (Mallikarjuna), overthrew those one hundred and eight Jaina temples, and built a fort. Even at the present time we find stones (belonging to those in the fort).
_______________________________* - * - *_______________________________
Koohoondi Nadu
ಕೂಹೂಂಡಿ ನಾಡು - Dr. ಎಸ್. ಬಿ. ಪಾಟೀಲ್
This is a exclusive report on Kamal Basadi and Raata Dynasty. A book that completely covers all the details of the Ratta Dynasty and Jain's during that era. About the Belgaum fort who built it and also about Kamal Basti and Chikka Basti.
Its about a book written by Dr. Shivangowda. B. Patil, M.A., Ph D. of Sankeshwar who is a State and National Award winner for his contribution to Research and Literature. In every step of life, he was supported by his wife Smt. Shantadevi. S. Patil.
Considering his service towards Education and Literature, the Govt of India honored him with a National Award in the year 1988, in Delhi. Also Mr. Shivangowda. Patil was awarded a honorary Doctorate by the Karnataka University in Bangalore for his outstanding work and contribution towards research on Savadatti's Ratta Dynasty.
The Koohoondi Nadu book was published by Kamal Basti Pooja Committee, Belgaum on 10-10-1989 on the eve of Vijayadashami.
Its about a book written by Dr. Shivangowda. B. Patil, M.A., Ph D. of Sankeshwar who is a State and National Award winner for his contribution to Research and Literature. In every step of life, he was supported by his wife Smt. Shantadevi. S. Patil.Considering his service towards Education and Literature, the Govt of India honored him with a National Award in the year 1988, in Delhi. Also Mr. Shivangowda. Patil was awarded a honorary Doctorate by the Karnataka University in Bangalore for his outstanding work and contribution towards research on Savadatti's Ratta Dynasty.
The Koohoondi Nadu book was published by Kamal Basti Pooja Committee, Belgaum on 10-10-1989 on the eve of Vijayadashami.
Exclusive photo of Kamal Basti Architecture Plan dated 1204 CE by AIIS [American Institute of Indian Studies], Varanasi
Varanasi
Source : http://gazetteer.kar.nic.in/
Historical Kamal Basti and Ruined Chikki Basti - 1987
Historical Kamal Basti and Ruined Chikki Basti - 1987Complete History of Belgaum as with Karnataka Government Records.
Instruction : Click on images below to read full text.
Man behind Kamal Basadi Pooja and Maintenance
He is Mahaveer Upadhye who is the main person who takes care of the Maintenance and daily pooja and rituals Kamal Basadi. His father Late. Shrikant Upadhye was also a dedicated poojari of this temple in his time. People respect and take suggestion from him and his family even today and he is a well known, honored and a respected person in the Digambar Jain Samaj.
He can be reached at :
Shri Mahaveer Sharikant Upadhye,
H.NO. 43/9, Tanaji Galli, Belgaum - 590 004
Phone : 0831 2487887
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