In Ajanta cave paintings, Pulikeshi II could be identified, as receiving gifts from a Persian ambassador. In the Virupaksha temple of Hampi, pontiff Vidyaranya could be recognised as he heads a procession riding in a palanquin. In Papanatheshwar temple of Lepakshi, its builder-brothers Virupanna and Veeranna could be identified.
 Guru Madhvacharya |  |
In Narasimhaswamy temple of Sibi, on inner wall of the main entrance, just below a Kannada inscription in praise of Hyder Ali, is shown on a chair and son Tippu Sultan is sitting on the floor. Below this panel, the writer of 'Hyder Nama', Nallapa is shown engaged in a discussion with his three brothers. The walls of Dariya Daulat palace of Srirangapattana are adorned with innumerable contemporary personalities. In the panel depicting Second Mysore War, Hyder rides an elephant, Tippu a horse, accompanied by Nizam of Hyderbad on a horse-back. One can have glimpses of Mir Sadik in this panel. In Kanchipur war panel, along with Hyder and Tipu, Colonel Beily could be identified as well. In other panels, Madakari Nayaka of Chitradurga, queen Channama of Kittur, Veeraraj of Kodgu, Nawab of Kadapa, Bajirao II and many others could be identified.
Various Wodeyar kings could be identified in a specially constructed Chitrashala on the first floor of Narasimhaswamy temple at Mysore. These paintings are unique in the sense the names of the personalities have been mentioned. Thus, Bettada Chamaraya, and Kanthirava Narasaraja Wodeyar could be identified with certainty. Diwan Puranayya and Subbaraya could be identified in Venkatraman Swamy temple of Mysore. In Jaganmohan palace of Mysore, almost all Wodeyar kings have been painted.
Among Kavi paintings, restricted to coastal Karnataka and Goa, many religious personalities like Madhwacharya could be identified. (See: Long time before photography, there was Kavi Art)
These illustrations will give visual aid to the students who are interested in costumes, ornaments and looks of various historical personalities.
See Also:
• The History of History of India
• History through Illustrated Memorials
