Archaeological Survey discovers 25 rare inscriptions in Markapuram district of Andhra Pradesh
An expert team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has deciphered some of the rare inscriptions found in the Nallamala forest region during a
An expert team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has deciphered some of the rare inscriptions found in the Nallamala forest region during a three-day visit this month. The ASI team took estampages of 25 inscriptions dating from the 2nd century to the 15th century between June 11 and 13, 2026, and is now in the process of digitising those inscriptions in several languages. Speaking to The Hindu, ASI Director (Epigraphy) from Mysuru, K. Muniratnam Reddy, said, “We have copied 25 inscriptions during the adventurous epigraphical survey across Ponnalabailu, Puttabadi, Palutla, and other villages in the Markapuram district. In Ponnalabailu village, the Palankesvara inscription (engraved on both sides) was written in the Telugu language, dating to 1404 C.E.” “This inscription records the gift of several wet and dry lands in the villages of Golankapuram and Palutla to Kumara Siddasankaradeva Ayyangar, a pontiff of Palanka, by Manmahamandalesvara Anumayadeva, for conducting worship and providing food offerings to Lord Palankesvaradeva for the merit of his father, Ramaraju, and for the prosperity of himself, his children, and his siblings,” he informed.
“Furthermore, it records the renovation of the Bhairava temple in Chintakunta and the donation of four puttis of wet land and mango gardens for providing services,” the ASI Epigraphy Head said. He also revealed that another Nandi pillar inscription, written in the Telugu language and characters and dating to 1436 C.E., was found near the Poleramma temple in Palutla village. It records the gift of two villages—Puttabadi and Palutla—yielding 800 varahas each, situated in Yeruvabhumi in Udayagiri-rajya, along with all its encumbrances, such as tax on dry lands, forest products, and tax on sales and purchases, to Bhikshavrtti-Ayyangar of Sriparvata, in the presence of Lord Mallikarjunadeva, by the king for the purpose of obtaining merit, prosperity, and the welfare of the kingdom.
Muniratnam Reddy said, “It is very interesting to note that the village Palutla played an important role during the Vijayanagara period as a major trade centre and also provided shelter to the Shaiva devotees while traveling to Srisailam. This was one of the four main routes to the famous Saivite
temple.” After all inscriptions have been deciphered, the digital versions will be preserved in the museum. The ASI’s Epigraphy Branch provided training on the technique of taking estampages of inscriptions to Dr. P. V. Chalapathi Rao, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden during the epigraphical survey.
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