The domains of Kabini and Nagarhole are best known for being regions rich in biodiversity. This 640sq km expanse of the forest at the foothills of the Western Ghats has been a significant facet of the Indian biodiversity landscape, being one of the first Project Tiger areas set up in the country. But there’s a bit more to Kabini and Nagarhole than the wildlife. Many people have trod upon these wildlands before we set foot in them. For instance, did you know that cotton from Kabini was once commonplace in Egypt? Do you know of the oldest elephant training camps in India? The lore of the Kurubas who have made Kabini their home since centuries ago? Here, we will cover the history of Kabini and Nagarhole in and around Red Earth Kabini, our resort in Kabini.
Of Ancient Civilizations:
These backwaters have more to them than meets the eye. The Kabini river cradled the kingdom of Punnatas, a civilization dating back to the 5th century. The great Greek scholars Ptolemy and Pliny have mentioned this tiny kingdom in their works, talking at great length about precious stones from there. Punta was once a center for Jainism in the region, hosting multiple Jain pilgrims from around modern-day Karnataka and Kerala. While there are some mentions of Punnata being a war-ridden state, yet others claim that life was peaceful among the people who led a pastoral life.
It is said that most of the kingdom of the punnatas was submerged under the Kabini river, so one can only wonder about the numerous secrets of this ancient civilization that are yet to be discovered. If you’d like to get a glimpse of history from the 5th century, our resort in Kabini has curated a selection of figures and stones from the period.
Taming Gentle Giants:
Not all history is glorious, and Kabini too has seen darker days. But it is nonetheless important to talk about them and highlight the importance of avoiding a similar future. Being within the reaches of the erstwhile royal kingdom of the Mysore Maharajas, Kabini and Nagarhole were the prime hunting grounds for the king and his cohorts.
Kabini was also a hotspot for Khedda, a cruel procedure of taming wild elephants. Khedda was rampant around the region thanks to the requirement of elephants for the royal stables in Mysore. The origins of the procedure itself are unclear although scriptures from the Greek explorer Megasthenes mention accounts of trapping elephants in a very similar manner in the 3rd century. The procedure involved using tame elephants to stress out wild ones in the forest and eventually lure them into a trap sans food or water, stressing them out and thereby breaking down their mental barriers. Khedda was introduced to Mysore in the 1870s by a British naturalist, George P. Sanderson. This was viewed as a trial effort in collaboration with the forest officials which was largely a success. However, with the passing of the Forest Act in 1972, elephants were viewed as a protected species and granted the same rights as any forest species. Today, Balle camp near our resort in Kabini is one of the last few elephant camps that used to practice Khedda.
A Trail Of Temples:
Where man has ventured, so has spirituality. Kabini and Nagarhole have remnants of ancient places of worship throughout the region, some of which are still used in worship to this date.
One of the more prominent places of worship is the Mastigudi hero stone, known as a veera gallu in the vernacular. The stone honors the goddess Mastamma, a deity known to possess mighty powers that would cure the problems of those that sought her help and drown those that deign to disobey her or intrude her domain. Mastigudi is situated directly on the banks of the Kabini river and is only visible during summers when the water levels have reduced. A coracle ride with our resort in Kabini might give you another glimpse.
Our resort in Kabini is also within proximity to Gurupura, an isle of Buddhism in the South. Gurupura is one of the only locations where tantric sciences are taught in the university. The monastery coupled with the serene drive from our resort in Kabini makes for an ideal destination to visit on a breezy afternoon!
