ASI to Survey Gundala Reserve Forest for Satavahana-Era Inscriptions
These records are linked to the ancient Asmaka Janapada, one of India’s 16 mahajanapadas believed to have existed in present-day Telangana before the 6th century BCE.
Karimnagar: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will conduct an epigraphical survey in the Gundala reserve forest of Peddapalli district in the last week of April. The mission aims to estampage 15 newly discovered Satavahana-era inscriptions, palaeo-graphically dated between the 1st century BCE and 1st century CE.
Estampage is a method used to create copies of inscriptions, typically on paper, for preservation and study.
The government, in coordination with the forest and mines departments, has granted clearance for the survey.
A six-member ASI team led by Director (Epigraphy) K. Munirathnam Reddy will carry out the fieldwork. The team includes Sanskrit officer M. Ragavendra Varma, rock painting expert Dr Yesu Babu, photo officer Dr Varma and historian Ravinder Reddy and will be accompanied by forest officials.
Director Munirathnam Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that Union minister G. Kishan Reddy had secured the necessary forest clearance. He noted that the inscriptions engraved on copper plates and stones were attributed to Prince Kumara Haku Sri, son of Queen Naganika and Satakarni-I, rulers of the Satavahana dynasty.
These records are linked to the ancient Asmaka Janapada, one of India’s 16 mahajanapadas believed to have existed in present-day Telangana before the 6th century BCE.
“There are references to Asmaka in ancient texts, but no definitive evidence yet. With this survey, we hope to find archaeological proof of its existence and missing links,” Dr Munirathnam Reddy said. The findings could shed new light on early Satavahana history and the elusive Asmaka kingdom.
The upcoming effort marks ASI’s second forest expedition this year. In March, the team documented 25 inscriptions from the 4th to 15th centuries CE during a three-day survey in the Sri Lankamalla wildlife sanctuary in Kadapa district.
“This is a proud moment for ASI. With the forest department’s support, we’re continuing our work to uncover royal historical records in forest regions,” he added.