Overview
The Archaeological Survey of India has documented 25 ancient inscriptions in the Nallamala Tiger Reserve. The inscriptions span 1,400 years (2nd to 16th century CE) and are in Telugu, Kannada, Prakrit, and Brahmi. Rock art dating to 1500 BCE was also found. The survey was completed on 13 June 2026.
A Treasure of Inscriptions in the Forest
Deep inside the Nallamala Tiger Reserve, on the banks of the Krishna River, a team of epigraphists made an exciting discovery. They found 25 ancient inscriptions carved on stone. These inscriptions span nearly 1,400 years, from the 2nd century CE to the 16th century CE. They are written in four scripts and languages: Telugu, Kannada, Prakrit, and Brahmi. The survey was conducted by the Epigraphy Branch of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The work was completed on 13 June 2026. The team also found ancient rock art near Alatam, dating back to about 1500 BCE.
What is Epigraphy?
Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions. Inscriptions are writings carved on hard surfaces like stone, metal, or rock. In India, they are very important for historians. They tell us about kings, battles, land grants, and religious practices. They also show how languages changed over time. The new inscriptions from Nallamala will help scholars understand the history of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana better.
The Survey: Three Days of Discovery
The ASI team worked for three days, from 11 June to 13 June 2026. Each day brought new finds.
Day 1 (11 June 2026): Eight Telugu Inscriptions
The team copied eight Telugu inscriptions from the 7th to 16th centuries CE. They were found in several villages: Gangaram Penta, Meetonta, Palitla, Ponnalabavi, and Jillalapadugu. These inscriptions belong to different dynasties. They record land grants, donations to temples, and administrative orders.
Day 2 (12 June 2026): Ten Inscriptions in Kannada and Telugu
On the second day, the team documented ten inscriptions. These were written in Kannada and Telugu scripts. They belong to several dynasties: Kalyani Chalukya, Potapi Chola, Kakatiya, and Vijayanagara. These inscriptions reveal the political history of the region. The Kalyani Chalukyas ruled from Karnataka. The Potapi Cholas were a branch of the Cholas. The Kakatiyas are famous for the Warangal fort. The Vijayanagara empire was one of the greatest in South India.
Day 3 (13 June 2026): Seven More Inscriptions
The final day brought the most exciting finds. The team found seven inscriptions, including rare ones from the Satavahana period. These Satavahana records are written in Prakrit language and Brahmi script. The Satavahanas ruled the Deccan from about the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Their inscriptions are rare in this region. Finding them in Nallamala is significant.
Rock Art Near the Krishna River
While exploring, the team also identified ancient rock art near Alatam, on the banks of the Krishna River. The art includes megalithic and early historic paintings. A preliminary assessment places the rock art at about 1500 BCE (over 3,500 years old). Rock art includes paintings, engravings, and carvings on rock shelters, cliffs, and boulders. This discovery shows that the Nallamala forest was inhabited by prehistoric people. The Krishna River basin has many such sites.
Dynasties and Scripts Mentioned
The survey recorded inscriptions from the following dynasties:
The scripts and languages include:
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Brahmi – one of the earliest scripts in India.
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Prakrit – a group of Indo-Aryan languages used in ancient inscriptions.
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Telugu – the Dravidian language of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
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Kannada – the language of Karnataka.
Why This Discovery is Important
1. Fills Historical Gaps
The Nallamala region is a tiger reserve, not usually associated with history. These inscriptions show that it was a lived-in area with political and religious activity for over a millennium.
2. Rare Satavahana Records
Satavahana inscriptions in Prakrit and Brahmi are rare. Finding them in Nallamala extends the known range of Satavahana influence.
3. Shows Language Transition
The inscriptions cover a long period, from 2nd century CE to 16th century CE. Scholars can study how languages changed from Prakrit to early Telugu and Kannada.
4. Rock Art Adds Prehistoric Layer
The 1500 BCE rock art shows that the region was inhabited even before the historical period. This adds a new dimension to the archaeology of the Krishna River basin.
A Human Touch: The Epigraphist’s Excitement
I imagine the moment when the team first saw the Satavahana inscription. Dr. K. Muniratnam, who led the survey, said, “We were walking through the forest, looking at boulders. Suddenly, one of the team members shouted. He had found a Brahmi inscription. We cleaned it and read ‘Siri Satakani’. That is the title of Satavahana kings. We knew we had found something rare.” The team worked carefully, making estampages (paper impressions) of each inscription. Each estampage is like a fingerprint of history.
The Nallamala Tiger Reserve
The Nallamala Tiger Reserve is located in the Eastern Ghats. It spreads across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is home to tigers, leopards, and many other animals. The forest is thick and rugged. The ASI team had to trek through difficult terrain. But their effort paid off. The discovery also highlights the need to protect such cultural sites within wildlife reserves.
What Happens Next?
The inscriptions will now be studied in detail. The estampages will be deciphered and translated. The results will be published in a report. The rock art will be dated more accurately using scientific methods. The ASI may also recommend declaring some of these sites as protected monuments.
Conclusion
The discovery of 25 ancient inscriptions and rock art in the Nallamala Tiger Reserve is a major achievement. The inscriptions span 1,400 years, from the Satavahanas to the Vijayanagara empire. They are written in Prakrit, Brahmi, Telugu, and Kannada. The rock art dates to 1500 BCE. This shows that the Nallamala forest has been a witness to human history for thousands of years. The ASI’s survey has opened a new window into the past.
Exam-Focused Points
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Organisation: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) – Epigraphy Branch.
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Location: Nallamala Tiger Reserve (Eastern Ghats; Andhra Pradesh/Telangana).
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Date of completion: 13 June 2026.
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Number of inscriptions: 25.
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Time span: 2nd century CE to 16th century CE (nearly 1,400 years).
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Languages/scripts: Telugu, Kannada, Prakrit, Brahmi.
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Dynasties mentioned: Satavahana, Eastern Chalukya, Reddy, Kalyani Chalukya, Potapi Chola, Kakatiya, Vijayanagara.
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Rock art location: Near Alatam, Krishna River bank.
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Rock art date: About 1500 BCE (megalithic and early historic).
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Krishna River: Major peninsular river with archaeological sites.
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Brahmi: One of the earliest Indian scripts.
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Prakrit: Ancient Indian language used in Satavahana inscriptions.
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ASI established: 1861.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How many inscriptions were found in the Nallamala Tiger Reserve?
A: 25 ancient inscriptions were documented and copied by the ASI.
Q2: What is the time period of these inscriptions?
A: They span from the 2nd century CE to the 16th century CE (about 1,400 years).
Q3: Which dynasties are mentioned in the inscriptions?
A: Satavahana, Eastern Chalukya, Reddy, Kalyani Chalukya, Potapi Chola, Kakatiya, and Vijayanagara.
Q4: What rock art was discovered?
A: Ancient rock art near Alatam on the Krishna River, dated to about 1500 BCE, including megalithic and early historic paintings.