Chennai, 2024: As I flip through the pages of India’s past, I stumble upon a story so unique, it’s literally ... etched in stone.
Imagine this: A battlefield in 948 CE.
The Rashtrakutas clash with the Cholas in the fierce Battle of Takkolam, vying for control of peninsular India.
On one side, the Chola crown prince leads his troops. On the other, the Western Ganga king, a vassal of the Rashtrakutas, fights alongside his most unexpected ally—his loyal hound, Kali.
Yes, you read that right. A #dog.
The #AtakurInscription, found at the Chelleshvara temple in Karnataka, commemorates this heroic hound.
Kali, alongside the warrior Manlarata, drove the Chola forces back, giving the Western Ganga king the chance to kill the Chola crown prince.
The loss of the prince devastated the Chola army. It was a catastrophic defeat, marking a turning point that eventually led to the decline of Chola dominance and the rise of the Rashtrakutas in the region.
Manlarata earned an honour, but all he asked for in return was the king’s loyal dog.
Soon after, Kali faced another foe—a wild boar. Kali won the battle but lost his life. Heartbroken, Manlarata erected a memorial stone for the dog, and designated a gorava, a priest to worship Kali each day.
A hero’s samadhi for a dog. Incredible? Not entirely. Connect the dots.
The Chelleshvara temple, where the inscription was found, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, whom the Western Ganga kings worshipped. One of Shiva’s forms is Bhairava, whose divine vehicle (vaahana) is none other than a dog!
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By now my curiosity was triggered and I wondered what #indigenous breed was Kali?
So, the Western Ganga kings ruled over what is now Mysore and Mudhol in Karnataka. That, unsurprisingly, is also home to the legendary #MudholHound.
This hound was brought back into royal fame by Raja Malojirao Ghorpade of Mudhol in the early 20th century when he saw the tribal folks use these hounds for ... yes, wild boar hunting!
Recognizing their value as hunting dogs and loyal protectors, he helped restore the breed's royal lineage. He is said to have presented a pair of Mudhol Hounds to King George V of England. It is known as the Caravan Hound internationally.
So, could Kali, the brave hound from the Atakur Inscription, have been the ancestor of these remarkable Mudhol Hounds?
Possible. For today, much like Kali, the Mudhol Hound continues to serve the nation with distinction. They are a vital part of India's security forces, including the Indian Army and the Special Protection Group (SPG) responsible for protecting the Prime Minister of India!
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