Mysore and Coorg from the Inscriptions c8.s5.103

c8.s5.103

The principal opposition, however, from another source, is based upon the sweeping dictum that all the Ganga inscriptions on copper plates are spurious, and only those on stone genuine. Merely to state this is to expose the credulous nature of this paradoxical hypothesis. And it is disproved by the fact that the ancient Āvani stone fragment (Mb 263) and Sirigunda stone (Cm 50) are contemporary with and contain records similar to those on the early copper plates. At the same time they render it probable that others on stone of like nature formerly existed, as even the Lakshmēśvara stone (IA. vii. 101) may bear witness. Those have been lost or destroyed, while the metal plates have survived because they were portable and indestructible and could be hidden. In view of the general consistency and veracity of the records, errors that may be detected here and there in style or orthography are of trifling importance. And the serious allegation that they are condemned by the misuse of a more modern form of a certain letter in plates professing to be ancient has been proved to have no foundation. The persistent opponent of the Gangas here referred to has lately expressed (EI. viii. 55) his willingness, when he feels justified, to abandon his present views and cancel anything wrong that he has written against them, but not yet. The sooner the better is the only comment one can make. The truth is bound to prevail.