1700-Year Buddhist Site Discovered in Yadadri District

 Hyderabad: An early historic Buddhist site, which was recently excavated by the Telangana department of heritage in Chada village in Yadadri Bhongir district, sheds new light on the presence and historical significance of Buddhism in the state. Several ancient artefacts, architectural remains, and inscriptions dating between 100 and 300 CE have been uncovered.

One of the major findings from the excavation was a complex of three viharas (residential facilities for monks) with 30 cells located on the north, east, and west sides of two Chaityagrihas (prayer halls). This discovery suggests the existence of a well-established monastic community in Telangana. Bricks of various sizes (55x26x7 cm, 58x26x8 cm, 50x26x7 cm, 35x20x7 cm) used in the construction date back to the Satavahana and Ikshvaku periods.

Three limestone Buddha busts representing late Satavahana or early Ikshvaku art styles, and one standing Buddha sculpture were also found. These display Indo-Greek stylistic features, indicating influences of both Hinayana and Mahayana traditions. Chisels, bruises, limestone chips, and flakes used for construction were also recovered, pointing to workshop activity in the area.

After an initial exploration by the department’s technical staff in 2003, the site was re-examined in 2022-23 to understand the constructional patterns of the monastic complex and the cultural life of its inhabitants. Following approval from the Archaeological Survey of India in 2024, a full-scale excavation began.

“As per the directions of Jayesh Ranjan, director, department of heritage, Telangana, excavation works commenced in February 2025 and were completed by the end of May. Experts from the department and archaeologists from Deccan College, Pune, were involved in the project,” said Dr P. Nagaraju, deputy director of museums and excavation director of the Chada project.

A total of 436 antiquities were unearthed, including shell bangle fragments, ivory, terracotta beads and semi-precious stones, iron implements, lead and copper coins bearing elephant, horse, and Ujjain symbols, as well as a terracotta hopscotch piece.

Limestone fragments and sculptures, terracotta figurines, inscriptions, stucco objects, and other remains were also found. Similar objects had earlier been reported from other Buddhist sites in Telangana such as Phanigiri, Dhulikatta, Kotilingala, and Peddabankur. Terracotta tiles used as roofing materials for structures were also discovered.

Further, a two-line inscription on limestone in Brahmi script and Prakrit language, dating to the 2nd century CE, records the gift of a slab to a vihara by a navakamika (architect) named Sadhirika on the 27th day of Grishma-ritu. It also mentions the installation of a slab by Dhisa, a brahmachari and son of Bhanaka of Bodhikate.

“Based on the architecture of religious and secular structures, the size of bricks used, and material evidence such as pottery, inscriptions, coins, sculptures, and other cultural remains, the monastic establishments at Chada appear to have commenced in the 2nd century CE and continued up to the 4th century CE,” Dr. Nagaraju said.

According to Dr. Nagaraju, the excavations will also help establish interconnections with nearby Buddhist sites such as Gajulabanda, Phanigiri, and Wardhamanukota located on the Aleru river, about 20 km away from Chada. “It will also help fill historical gaps in our understanding of the region during the early historic period,” he added.

Following the discovery, the department is planning to include Chada in the Buddhist tourism circuit, given its rich architectural and cultural importance.