Vijayanagara Inscriptions Seshachalam: ASI Discovery

Why in News?

An expert team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered three rare inscriptions dating to the 16th century at Sadasivakona, deep inside the Seshachalam forest in Tirupati district.

The inscriptions belong to the period of the Vijayanagara dynasty and provide evidence of royal patronage to religious institutions in the region.

Where Were the Inscriptions Found?

• The inscriptions were discovered at Sadasivakona, a relatively unexplored and pristine forest area in the Seshachalam range.
• The ASI team focused on this region after conducting an epigraphical survey in the Nallamala Hills.
• The team was led by K. Muniratnam Reddy, Director of Epigraphy, ASI, Mysuru. It worked for three days inside the forest to locate and document the inscriptions.

What are the Key Features of the Inscriptions?

• Three rare inscriptions were discovered.
• They date to the 16th century.
• The inscriptions contain text in:
  • Telugu
  • Tamil
  • Kannada
• The scripts represent the writing styles used during the period.
• They belong to the era of Sadasiva Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara dynasty.
• The inscriptions are dated to 1554.

The multilingual character of the inscriptions reflects the cultural and administrative interaction among different linguistic regions under Vijayanagara rule.

What Does the Main Inscription Record?

The principal inscription records the construction of:

• A Siva temple
• A monastery or mutt

These structures were built at Papavinasa in Sadasivakona by King Sadasivaraya during his pilgrimage to the sacred site.

The inscription indicates that the king:

• Personally, visited the religious site
• Took a holy bath
• Granted a donation
• Supported the construction of religious institutions

What is an Estampage?

The inscriptions were copied in the form of estampages for preservation and further study.

An estampage is an impression taken from the surface of an inscription to reproduce its engraved text. It enables epigraphists to study inscriptions without repeatedly disturbing the original stone surface.

Historical Significance

Evidence of Royal Pilgrimage

• The inscription confirms that the Vijayanagara ruler personally visited Sadasivakona as part of a religious pilgrimage.

Temple and Mutt Patronage

• It highlights the role of Vijayanagara rulers in supporting temples, monasteries and sacred centres.

Multilingual Culture

• The presence of Telugu, Tamil and Kannada inscriptions demonstrates the multilingual character of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Importance of Sadasivakona

• The discovery reveals that Sadasivakona was not merely a forested area but an important religious centre during the 16th century.

Epigraphical Source

• The inscriptions provide primary historical evidence regarding royal donations, religious construction and regional cultural connections.

Link with Gudimallam Temple

The report also refers to the ancient Siva shrine at Gudimallam, dating to the 2nd century BCE.

Though the shrine was overshadowed over time by other prominent temples in the region, the newly discovered inscription points to its historical importance and the religious prominence of the wider Tirupati region.

Role of the Archaeological Survey of India

The ASI’s epigraphy team:

• Conducted surveys in difficult forest terrain
• Located the inscriptions
• Studied their language and script
• Prepared estampages
• Preserved the inscriptions for further research

The discovery demonstrates the importance of systematic archaeological and epigraphical exploration in reconstructing regional history.

Importance for Andhra Pradesh

• Adds new evidence to the history of the Vijayanagara Empire in Andhra Pradesh
• Strengthens the historical importance of Tirupati district
• Highlights the cultural significance of the Seshachalam region
• Supports heritage tourism and archaeological research
• Emphasises the need to protect inscriptions located in forest areas

Challenges in Heritage Conservation

• Difficult access to inscriptions located deep inside forests
• Natural weathering of stone surfaces
• Risk of human interference or vandalism
• Limited awareness about lesser-known heritage sites
• Need for scientific documentation and continuous monitoring

Way Forward

• Complete the decipherment and publication of all three inscriptions.
• Digitally document the inscriptions and their surroundings.
• Provide protection without disturbing the forest ecosystem.
• Promote collaboration among archaeologists, historians and forest authorities.
• Create awareness about the historical importance of Sadasivakona.
• Develop controlled heritage tourism only after ensuring ecological safeguards.

Conclusion

The discovery of 16th-century Vijayanagara inscriptions at Sadasivakona adds an important chapter to Andhra Pradesh’s cultural history. The inscriptions reveal royal pilgrimage, temple patronage and the multilingual character of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Their documentation and preservation can deepen understanding of the historical relationship between the Vijayanagara rulers, the Tirupati region and its sacred landscapes.