ASI deciphers 11th century Telugu inscription found in Nallamala forest

NEW DELHI: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has successfully deciphered an 11th century Telugu inscription discovered during a recent epigraphical survey in the Nallamala forest region of Andhra Pradesh. The announcement was made on Friday by the ASI's Epigraphy Division in Mysuru.

According to K. Munirathnam Reddy, Director (Epigraphy) at ASI, Mysuru, the inscription was found near Satakodu village in Yerragondapalem mandal of Markapuram district. The text is written in Telugu using script forms characteristic of the 11th century Common Era (C.E.), a period marked by significant linguistic and cultural developments in the Deccan region.

The inscription records a donation of eight putlu of wetland and two mattars of wetland located behind the tank at Muttumalapadu. The donation was made by Muttu Malaredi Nayaka for the purpose of conducting worship at the temple of God Saptakotidevara. The grant was specifically made on the occasion of Uttarayana Sankranthi, a festival marking the sun's northward journey, traditionally considered an auspicious time for charitable gifts in Hindu tradition.

In addition, the inscription notes a separate donation of three khadukas of land to the same deity by Praralaya Peggada. Mr. Reddy explained that these terms — putlu, mattars, and khadukas — are traditional land measurement units used in the region during that era, indicating the nature and scale of the endowments made to the temple.

The discovery was made during an epigraphical survey carried out in the Nallamala forest between June 11 and 13, 2026. The forest, spanning parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is rich in historical remains, including temples, forts, and rock-cut inscriptions that have yet to be fully documented.

Epigraphy — the study of inscriptions — is a vital tool for historians to reconstruct political, social, and religious life of past societies. Inscriptions of this kind offer insights into land grants, temple administration, local governance, and the roles of individuals and families in supporting religious institutions. They also help in understanding the evolution of Telugu script and language over centuries.

The ASI's Epigraphy Division, headquartered in Mysuru, has long been engaged in the systematic collection, preservation, and decipherment of inscriptions across India. The Nallamala survey was part of an ongoing effort to document lesser-known epigraphical records in remote areas that are often inaccessible due to terrain and forest cover.

The temple of God Saptakotidevara, mentioned in the inscription, is believed to be an ancient shrine dedicated to a form of Shiva, although the present-day identification of the site requires further field verification. The donation of land for worship indicates the temple was an active religious centre in the 11th century, supported by local chieftains and officials.

Historical context suggests that the 11th century C.E. in this region saw the rise of several local powers following the decline of larger dynasties. The mention of Muttu Malaredi Nayaka and Praralaya Peggada suggests a network of local leaders who exercised authority over agricultural land and made religious endowments to consolidate their social standing.

The decipherment of this inscription adds to a growing corpus of Telugu epigraphical records from the period, aiding scholars in mapping the linguistic and administrative history of Andhra Pradesh. The ASI has not yet released a full transcript or translation but plans to publish the text in its annual report on epigraphy.

Further research may shed light on the exact location of Muttumalapadu and the tank mentioned in the grant, as well as the continued history of the Saptakotidevara temple. The ASI has emphasised the importance of preserving the original inscription site and protecting such records from environmental damage and vandalism.