The Gadhegal represents a unique sculptural phenomenon primarily documented in Maharashtra and Goa, with a solitary instance reported in Gujarat. Its presence is closely associated with a specific historical period, ranging from the reign of the Shilahara dynasty to the Adilshahi, spanning the years 1012 CE to 1651 CE. These precise dates are derived from inscriptions found on the earliest and latest known dateable examples.
Characterized by large, flat, rectangular stone plaques or stelae, the gadhegals are typically embedded in the ground, standing upright, often with an inscription in the Devanagari script. The term “gadhegal” itself is derived from “gadhe,” meaning “donkey,” and “gal,” meaning “stone,” alluding to the lowermost panel’s sculptural depiction featuring a crouched human figure engaged in a peculiar act with a donkey. Another interpretation connects the name to a combination of “gadhe” (donkey) and “gaal” (swear word), resulting in the English equivalent “ass curse stone.”
