Veeragallus of Begur: A Study of Hero Stones and Memorial Traditions in Karnataka

For centuries, people have always believed in honouring the dead and fallen warriors who sacrificed their lives for the cause of society. Practices have evolved from megalithic burial to easy funerary practices; each culture glorifies the sacrifice of their warriors in different forms. In the Indian subcontinent, especially the southern region formally called the Tamilakam region, archaeological and literary sources provide evidence of Hero stones commemorating the warriors who died in cattle raids, warfare, serving the king or while performing a ritual sacrifice. Hero stones constitute viable evidence for reconstructing the social and ritual practices of the society of the Sangam era.