ASI deciphers 11th century Telugu inscription from Nallamala forest
The Archaeological Survey of India has deciphered an 11th-century Telugu inscription found in the Nallamala forest. The text records land donations made to the Saptakotidevara temple during the Uttarayana Sankranthi festival.
Why it matters
This discovery provides valuable historical insights into land grant practices and religious traditions in 11th-century South India.
The Epigraphy Division of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday announced that it had deciphered an inscription copied during an epigraphical survey conducted in the Nallamala forest between June 11 and 13, 2026.
Mr. K. Munirathnam Reddy, Director (Epigraphy), ASI, Mysuru, said the inscription was discovered near Satakodu village in Yerragondapalem mandal of Markapuram district. It is in Telugu and is written in 11th century C.E. script.
The inscription records the donation of eight putlu of wetland and two mattars of wetland located behind the tank at Muttumalapadu by Muttu Malaredi Nayaka for conducting worship at the temple of God Saptakotidevara on the occasion of Uttarayana Sankranthi.
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