Activists Seek Heritage Revival Along Musi

HYDERABAD: As plans gather pace to rejuvenate the Musi River, historians and heritage activists have urged the government to develop heritage sites and museums along its banks to preserve and display archaeological remains. They point out that the river supported human settlements from prehistoric times to the medieval period.

Archaeological evidence from different locations reflects continuous habitation across eras. Prehistoric tools were recovered in Kethireddypally, between Moinabad and Chevella, in the 1980s. More recently, neolithic tools and grooves were found in BNR Hills and Khajaguda Hills. Iron Age sites have been recorded at Lingampally and Kokapet, documented by the Heritage Department before being destroyed. Construction at Chaitanyapuri revealed red‑ware and black‑ware pottery from Satavahana, Ikshvaku and Vishnukundi dynasties.

M.A. Srinivasan, assistant professor at Telugu University, recalled the “Musi Bachao Yatra” undertaken in 2010 from Ananthagiri Hills to Vadapalli Temple, covering several historical sites along the river. He pointed to the fifth‑century Vishnukundi site at Chaitanyapuri, saying that if excavations had been carried out when it was first discovered, it could have emerged as one of the largest Buddhist monasteries on the Musi riverbank. He added that successive governments have not shown seriousness in preserving such heritage sites.

Historians said archaeological remains discovered over the past five to six decades clearly show that the Musi basin was home to people during different phases of history. They emphasised that fresh explorations and excavations are urgently needed to recover sites and structures as rejuvenation plans move forward.

Heritage activists insisted that archaeological clearance must be mandatory before any developmental activity or site clearance along the river. They also called for a comprehensive survey to map archaeological sites on both sides of the Musi to ensure protection.