What villagers had worshipped for decades as a deity has now been identified as a historic hero stone, thanks to the keen observation of an 11-year-old schoolgirl. The finding in Mallamman Belavadi village of Bailhongal taluk has drawn the attention of both historians and local residents.
The stone, situated near a temple, had long been considered an idol of a deity, and villagers regularly offered prayers to it. However, Lakshmi Prakash Humbhi, a fifth-standard student from the village, closely examined the carvings on the stone and realised that it was not a deity’s idol but a Veeragallu (hero stone) portraying a historic battle scene.
Lakshmi noticed the carvings during her frequent visits to the temple. She observed figures that appeared to show a warrior protecting cattle and shared her observation with her father, Prakash Humbhi.
“At first, I also believed it was a Shani deity idol like everyone else,” her father said. “But Lakshmi insisted that the carvings looked like a warrior fighting enemies and rescuing cattle. When I examined it more carefully, I realised she might be right,” he explained.
The stone is located near the Hanuman temple in the village. For years, villagers had overlooked the carvings and simply worshipped it as a deity. After Lakshmi’s father informed the village elders about her observation, they gathered at the temple and examined the stone closely.
After studying the carvings, villagers felt that the stone could indeed be a historic hero stone linked to the legendary warrior queen Belavadi Mallamma, who is remembered in local history for defending cattle and resisting enemy forces.
Lakshmi later spoke about her discovery, saying she had often heard stories at home about Queen Mallamma’s bravery. According to local folklore, when forces under Chhatrapati Shivaji attempted to seize cattle from the region, Mallamma fought bravely and rescued them.
“I had heard the story many times at home,” Lakshmi said. “When I saw the stone near the temple, I noticed carvings that looked similar to that story, so I told my father,” she explained.
Temple priest Balamma Poojari also expressed surprise at the discovery. She said Lakshmi had been visiting the temple for 11 days as part of a religious observance and would bow before the stone before entering the shrine.
“For years we believed it was a deity’s idol. None of us realised it might be a hero stone. It is surprising that such a young girl noticed it,” she said.
Lakshmi’s father said they had begun visiting the temple after a religious suggestion made by a visiting devotee. During one of their visits on March 3, Lakshmi pointed out the carvings on the stone.
“She showed the figures on the stone clearly and said it looked like Mallamma fighting enemies and rescuing cows. That prompted us to examine it carefully,” he said.
After the discovery, villagers cleaned the stone and placed it carefully near the temple. Local leaders and historians are now discussing the need for further study and preservation of the artefact.
Former gram panchayat president Chandrashekhar Karimani said the stone had earlier been lying near the old temple structure and was moved outside during renovation work.
“Lakshmi noticed the carving of a cow and a battle scene. When we examined it closely, we realised it might depict the fight between Belavadi forces and Maratha troops who had taken away cattle,” he said.
Researchers have also shown interest in the discovery. Historian Dr Balappa Chinagudi, who has studied the history of Belavadi Mallamma, said the stone appears to be a Turugola Veeragallu, a type of hero stone erected in memory of a warrior who died while protecting cattle.
