The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c44.13

c44.13

There is an isolated group of seven similar stones, which are even more interesting, near the village of Borivali in Sālsette island, north of Bombay, which, though not coming within the boundaries of the Kanarese districts, might well be included in this account (Plates CLIII and CLIV). They were probably set up during the time of the Śilāhāras of the Koṅkaṇ. They are memorials of heroes who fell in some great battle which took place partly upon land and partly on sea. Upon some of the stones are long rows of galleys approaching each other in well-formed alignment; in others they are mixed up in the general engagement, archers and swordsmen fighting each other from deck to deck. The long banks of oars make the vessels look strangely like old Roman biremes, and the urns and drapery which surmount these stones give them a further flavour of classic times. In the land battle, as depicted, are seen elephants clothed with coverings of mail armour. Unfortunately the lines of inscription which were engraved on these are, with the exception of a few traces, completely effaced.