Now Reading: ASI deciphers 11th century Telugu inscription in Nallamala forest
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ASI deciphers 11th century Telugu inscription in Nallamala forest
The Archaeological Survey of India's Epigraphy Division has deciphered an 11th century Telugu inscription discovered near Satakodu village in the Nallamala forest of Andhra Pradesh's Markapuram district. ASI Director K. Munirathnam Reddy…
The Story in Brief
The Archaeological Survey of India's Epigraphy Division has deciphered an 11th century Telugu inscription discovered near Satakodu village in the Nallamala forest of Andhra Pradesh's Markapuram district. ASI Director K. Munirathnam Reddy announced on Friday that the inscription records a donation of eight putlu of wetland and two mattars of wetland located behind a tank at Muttumalapadu, made by Muttu Malaredi Nayaka for the temple of God Saptakotidevara on the occasion of Uttarayana Sankranthi. A separate donation of three khadukas of land to the same deity by Praralaya Peggada is also recorded.
The inscription, written in 11th century Telugu script, was copied during an epigraphical survey conducted in the forest between June 11 and 13, 2026. The find adds to the corpus of medieval Telugu inscriptions documenting land grants and temple endowments in the region.
The Indian Opinion
The dominant framing of this discovery as a 'lost chapter of history' risks overstating its immediate significance. While the ASI's deciphering of an 11th century Telugu donation record is genuinely valuable, it does not rewrite major historical narratives. The real test is whether this inscription will lead to further systematic surveys in Nallamala, or remain a standalone find. A pointed question: will the ASI allocate resources for a full epigraphical exploration of the region, or will this be cited as a one-off achievement? The answer will determine the actual scholarly impact.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
