A 900-year-old Kannada inscription from the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty was discovered in Kankal village, Pudur mandal, Vikarabad district.
The discovery was made after teacher Sampath Kumar provided information about the inscriptions. Following this, archaeologist Dr. E Sivanagireddy, CEO of Pleach India Foundation, and Sriramoju Haragopal, Convenor of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam, conducted a primary investigation.
During their study, they found two inscriptions on one stone slab and one more on another slab. These inscriptions date back to the reign of Someswara-III, also known as Bhulokamalladeva, who ruled the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty. The inscriptions correspond to the years December 25, 1129 CE, October 5, 1130 CE, and January 8, 1132 CE.
Dr. E Sivanagireddy explained that the first inscription describes the construction of the Bijjeswara Temple, the installation of a Sivalinga, and a land donation of 100 martars (a historical measure of land) by Bijjarasa, a local chief of Kankal village, which was part of the Kankalla-24 Kampana administrative division.
The second inscription records a land and cash donation to the same temple by Somideva Preggada, a local Choudary, along with Karanam Bijjarasa. The third inscription mentions contributions made by Somapermanadi, Choudary Gundarasa, and local Gavundas, including Bemminayaka, Nabhanayaka, and Bilanayaka, to the temple.
“These inscriptions, which were not previously documented, have now been deciphered. They need proper protection, along with the many Jain and Brahmanical sculptures in the village that remain neglected,” said Haragopal.
