Chalukya-era inscription in Telangana village throws light on region’s history

Sriramoju Haragopal Deciphering The Chalukya-Ra Inscriptions in Kankala Village | Photo Credit: Arrangement

On a warm Sunday afternoon, Sriramoju Haragopal and his collaborators walked a few steps inside the dusty streets of Kankal village in Vikarabad to a spot where they were told about some old inscriptions carved on rocks inside the temple premises. What they discovered was a link to the region’s medieval history dating to 12th century CE.

“I have read the inscription in Telugu-Kannada script which gives the date of the construction of the Bijjeswara temple,” said Mr. Haragopal of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam.

The team discovered three inscriptions dating from the reign of Someswara-III, Bhulokamalladeva, the ruler of the Kalyana Chalukyas. The inscriptions are from the initial period of the reign of the ruler who wrote Manashollasamconsidered one of the first Indian encyclopaedia of life, polity, food and art. This was also the time when the Kalyana Chalukyas shifted their capital from the Kalanuaka in present day Yadadri to Kalyana near present-day Gulbarga.

The Chalukya-era inscriptions in Kankala village in Vikarabad, Telangana.
| Photo Credit:
By Arrangement

The first inscription has the mention of the construction of the Bijjeswara temple and the consecration of a Sivalinga.

“It also records a donation of 100 martars (a measure of land from that period) by Bijjarasa, the local chieftain of Kankal village after whom the temple was named, instead of the idol as is the tradition. The second inscription details a gift of lands and cash to the Bijjeswara temple by Somideva Preggada, a local Choudhary, and Karanam Bijjarasa. The third inscription records donations made by Somapermanadi, Choudhary Gundarasa, and local Gavundas, including Bemminayaka, Nabhanayaka, and Bilanayaka, to the temple,” informed Mr. Haragopal who has made an extensive study of the inscriptions as he leads a team of history enthusiasts into making fresh discoveries of the region.

“These inscriptions need to be deciphered scientifically and published. They also need to be protected in a way that they can last for posterity,” said Mr. Haragopal.