Goa’s oldest stone inscription stands forlorn
Rajendra P Kerkar,TNN | Nov 5, 2014, 12.40 AM ISTKERI: The oldest stone inscription in the state stands forlorn and neglected by the roadside in Poriem. Though considered sacred, few in Poriem village and Sattari taluka are aware of its archaeological significance and historicity.
Locals call it Ubo Guno (upright stone) and are firmly against its shifting to any other place. But this piece of the state's history, which heritage lovers view with great sentimental value, is slowly decaying due to exposure to natural elements.
Barely 4km from Sakhali town, the megalith along the Sakhali-Belgaum highway in Poriem lies in the close proximity of the ruins of the Sateri temple plinth, which most probably belongs to the period of Badami Chalukya rule.
The inscription caught the attention of authorities and others after then chief minister Pratapsingh Rane informed director of archives, archaeology and museum Prakashchandra Shirodkar in April 1993 about the stone resembling a megalith. The directorate officials visited the site and discovered the stone inscription on it.
With the help of professor Ritti, an expert in the epigraphy from Dharwad, the directorate identified the script as Brahmi of the mid third or fourth century AD. The word inscribed 'netravarisha' means two years. The other portion could not be deciphered on account of the incompleteness and disjointed state of the inscription.
P P Shirodkar says that, palaeographically, this inscription has the importance of being the earliest stone inscription of Goa. Nundem inscription of Simha Raja from Nundem in Sanguem and Arvalem from Bicholim inscription in box headed characters are dated to the fifth century AD. Among all these stone inscriptions, found in Goa, Poriem's inscription is considered the earliest.
As the upper part of the inscription is lost and some words are not legible at all, it has not been possible to comprehend the meaning of the words.
On earlier occasions, the archaeologist discovered two stone inscriptions in Velus of Sattari belonging to the Vijayanagar period of 1402. Both these inscriptions were taken into custody by the archaeological survey of India, Goa Mini Circle, and are displayed properly in their museum. But the directorate of archives, archaeology and museum of Goa has not made any concrete efforts to protect and conserve the stone inscription since the last two decades of its discovery.
Shankar Rao, a well-known archaeologist of Indira Gandhi Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal, who had visited the site a decade ago says, "This inscription is most unique since it tells us about the rich pre-Portuguese cultural and historical heritage of Goa. It is an indication that Goa is a part and parcel of Indian culture."
"This specimen is in need of urgent protection. Already, some portion of the inscription has worn out due to the effects of heavy rain, sunlight, wind and humidity", said Sitaram Toraskar, a student of Archaeology from Dodamarg.
Pandurang Gawas from Shiroli said, "For so many years now, we pass from Poriem to Sakhali, but were not aware of the stone inscription. Only, on account of the awareness drive undertaken by Vivekanand Puratatva Mandal of Keri, we realized that the earliest stone inscription of Goa is in front of the Sateri temple of Poriem."
Presently, the stone inscription is under a ficus tree without any protection. Annually, during festivals the villagers worship it by applying the sandal paste. However, pouring of oil has added to its erosion. Cattle grazing in the area too poses a threat to it, as they brush their horns against it.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goas-oldest-stone-inscription-stands-forlorn/articleshow/45039864.cms