Origin of Karnataka's name

Karnataka is an Indian state. Several etymologies have been suggested for the name Karnataka. One accepted derivative comes from the Kannada words "karu" and "nādu" meaning "elevated land". During the British Raj, the words "Carnatic" or "Karnatak" were used to describe this part of the region in general. Another etymological derivative of the name comes from "lear" or "black" — a reference to the black cotton soil of the region. [ [http://19.1911encyclopedia.org/C/CA/CARNATIC.htm Carnatic - LoveToKnow 1911 ] ] Historically, the names "Karnatak" or "Carnatic" have been misapplied to refer to the regions below the Western Ghats (Coorg and Kerala) as well as to a region in present day Andhra Pradesh (Telangana). [ [http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V09_308.gifImperial Gazetteer2 of India, Volume 9, page 302 - Imperial Gazetteer of India - Digital South Asia Library ] ] Mysore state was renamed "Karnataka" in 1973.

References from Hindu texts

The earliest known references to "Karnataka" are found in the "Sabha Parva" and the "Bhishma Parva" of Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic [cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/31/stories/2006103108870500.htm|title=Article from The Hindu national newspaper of India|accessdate=2007-03-10] [cite web|url=http://www.ourkarnataka.com/states/history/historyofkarnataka6.htm|title='Antiquity of Karnataka' - article from OurKarnataka.com Portal|accessdate=2007-03-10] . The "Matsya Purana", "Skanda Purana", "Markandeya Purana" and the "Bhagavata Purana" also make references to the name "Karnata".

In Canto 5 - Chapter 6 of the "Bhagavata Purana", "Karnata" is mentioned while narrating the life of Rishabhadeva. It is said in the "Bhagavata" that the Lord in Rishabhadeva's form ended his "avatara" in the "Kutakachala" hill in "Karnata" province. Kutakchala is a hill in present day Karnataka near Kollur in the Western Ghats. [http://www.srimadbhagavatam.org/canto5/chapter6.html SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM: CANTO 5- CHAPTER 6 ] ] [http://www.vedabase.net/sb/5/6/en1 Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 5 Chapter 6 ] ] ISKCON has also built an "ashrama" at the spot.

Historical references

Scholars Panini ( 520–460 BCE), Mrichchakatika and Kathasaritsagara make references to "Karnataka" in their ancient works. Later, in the 5th century CE, the term "Karnataka" was used by the astrologer Varaha Mihira in his work "Brihatkatha" and the Birur plates of Kadamba Vishnuvarma call Shantivarma "The master of the entire Karnataka region". [Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, "Concise history of Karnataka", 2001, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002)] In the 7th century CE, Rashtrakuta inscriptions refer to the armies of Chalukyas of Badami as "Karnatakabala".Fact|date=June 2008 The Tamil classic "Silappatikaram" of the same time period calls the people of present day Karnataka region as "Karunatakars".Fact|date=June 2008 In the 9th century CE, the Kannada classic "Kavirajamarga" hails the entire region between the rivers Kaveri and Godavari as "Karnata".Prof. K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, "History of South India", Arthikaje, "History of Karnataka"] In the 13th century CE, Kannada poet Andayya's works use the same terminology. In the late 16th century, a Telugu work "Vasucharitamu" refers to Tirumala Deva Raya (1570 CE), the first of the Aravidu (Aravithi) line of rulers of the late Vijayanagar Empire as the reviver of the "Karnata Empire".Prof. K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, "History of South India",Archaeological Survey of India, "Telugu Inscriptions from Vijayanagar Empire [http://inscriptions.whatisindia.com/] , vol.16] All this clearly shows that the name "Karnataka" has been in usage consistently since ancient times. [Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat, Concise history of Karnataka, 2001, MCC, Bengalooru (Reprinted 2002)]

References

External links

* http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/31/stories/2006103108870500.htm The Hindu article
* http://www.ourkarnataka.com/states/history/historyofkarnataka6.htm OurKarnataka.com article on History of Karnataka