TRANSOCEANIC CONTACTS OF KARNATAKA

It has been conjectured by many well informed scholars that the people of Karnataka have had trans-oceanic contacts right from the beginnings of their recorded history. The west coast which is also referred to as ‘Tulunadu’ (tuLu nADu) had a prominent role in these marine activities. S.Settar the well known historian has provided ample information based on the references to ‘kalABras’ in the Sangam literature of Tamil. B.A. Saletore, S.R. Rao, B.S. Shastry, L.N.Swamy, U.P.Upadhyaya, D.S. Jayappa Gowda and Sundaresh S. are some other scholars who have made lasting contributions to this field.

Karnataka’s trans-oceanic contacts provide an opportunity for a unique study of some characteristic qualities of Kannadigas. The details have to be garnered from epigraphic, numismatic, traditional and literary sources. Relatively undocumented traits of Kannadigas, mainly magnanimity, tolerance and civic consciousness are brought out here with suitable illustrations. Rare and innate sense of civic duty and responsibility to preserve their heritage in the form of inscriptions is typical of the coastal region, for which Dr Saletore quotes various modes of imprecations mentioned at the end of the stone inscriptions, which alerted people to take care of the inscriptions, as a part of their civic responsibilities. He further analyzes three factors, namely political expansion, energy for enterprise, and wealth which became part of Kannada heritage and resulted in an age-long contact of the region with more vigorous and ancient peoples. These contacts included Babylonia, Assyria, Java and Indonesia. According to Saletore, following traits which form the core of cultural life in coastal Karnataka are borrowed from Babylonia: a) The cult of Mother Goddess; b) Symbols of boar, bull and elephant; c) Linga worship; d) Gandabherunda: the legend of double headed Eagle, and finally e) the legend: of a prince killing a lion-resulting in the symbol of Hoysalas. According to Dr Saletore, legends lose a good deal of their exterior form but retain their kernel when transmitted from age to age and from land to land. He further derives the descent of Hoysalas from Shatavahanas or Shalivahanas.

Karnataka has a long and straight coastline of more than 250 kilometers, with different types of natural harbours. Estuaries have played a major role in maritime activities. The important ancient ports of Karnataka are kArvAr, BaTkaL, honnAvar. basrUru, bArkUru, gangoLLi, malpe, udyAvara and mangalUru. These ports played a significant role in establishing trade contacts with foreign countries. The sea trade of Karnataka constituted a significant part of her economic activities and provided her a niche in the oceanic trade of the western coast right from the beginning. The literary and archaeological evidence indicates that the sea trade originating in the west coast extended to Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Cambodia on the south eastern coast and Persia, Arab countries and Egypt in the west.

The unearthing of many Roman coins in different parts of Karnataka during archaeological excavations has given rise to speculations about some kind of maritime contact. Historically, Kalbhras and Kadambas are the first dynasties of Karnataka which could boast of a flourishing maritime trade. The Sangam texts of Tamil aver that one of their kings defeated the sea-pirates from the north. This is surmised to be a, unfavourable reference to Kannadigas. The presence of Siddi community from Africa in the coastal regions of North Canara district is yet another instance of maritime activities. This community must have arrived in Karnataka by the days of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Empire did have a flourishing maritime trade with the Middle East.

Thus, maritime activities have existed in Karnataka almost from the beginning of its recorded history.