Mysore and Coorg from the Inscriptions c10.29

c10.29

The college founded and endowed in 1290 by the Hoysala minister Perumāla at Māilangi (TN 27) deserves mention, though it was a private rather than a State institution. Provision was made in it for masters to teach Nāgara, Kannaḍa, Tiguḷa (Tamil), and Ārya (Mahratti). Then the Vijayanagar king Achyuta-Rāya established in 1539 a bank or fund, called Ānanda-nidhi, for the benefit of Brāhmans (Dg 24, Hk 123). It was apparently regarded as a great wonder, and the verses in praise of it have been found inscribed in no less than ten places. Perhaps this may be taken as a specimen of the old-time method of advertisement. Of the Mysore king (Doḍḍa)-Dēva-Rāja, it is said (Kg 37) that he made wells, ponds, and tanks, with *chatras* or inns from road to road, while temples of the gods he had made, was making, and would continue to make. He is also said (Yd 54) to have established *chatras* in every village for the distribution of food, as well as (Sr 14) at every *yōjana* on all the roads from Sakkarepattana (Kadūr District) in the west to Sēleya-pura (Salem) in the east, and from Chiknāyakanhalli (Tumkūr District) in the north to Dhārāpuram (Coimbatore District) in the south. In the Bednūr kingdom a veto was retained on the appointment of the heads of *maṭhas* or monasteries. To ensure the selection of qualified men, it was decreed that they must be in agreement with the court and the *mahattu* (the Lingāyit priesthood), not quarrelsome, hospitable, trustworthy, and having disciples (Tl 81).