Udupi, Oct. 31 -- An important stone inscription believed to date back to 1387 AD, during the Vijayanagara period, has been discovered at Dasanda Bakimaru near the Jumadi temple in the Kedinje area of Belman village in Karkala taluk.

Professor T Murugeshi, retired archaeology professor and founder trustee of Adima Kala Trust, said the discovery was significant for understanding the political, religious and cultural history of coastal Karnataka. Although the inscription is written in Kannada script and language, it contains several Tulu words, reflecting the linguistic interaction prevalent in the region during that period.

Carved on green schist, also known as soapstone, the inscription measures 46.5 cm by 23 cm. Its upper portion has a...