Vijayawada: A 15th-century inscription of great historical and literary interest lying unidentified and neglected has been identified in the Veerabhadra Swamy temple at Phirangipuram in Guntur district.
Varanasi Rahul, an archaeologist and student of Acharya Nagarjuna University, said that the inscription dates back to 1410 AD and belongs to Kondaveedu Reddys, the kings who ruled Guntur and Krishna regions in the 13th to 15th centuries.
The said inscription is engraved on a big granite pillar in Sanskrit and there are some lines in Telugu also.
Mr Rahul said that the inscription gives historical information about donations given by the Kondaveedu Reddy king Peda Komati Vema Reddy and his queen Suramamba, who constructed steps for Patalaganga at Sreesailam. The inscription refers to completion of a tank which is useful for the people at large, he said. The constructing wells or tanks in those days were regarded holy.
Mr Rahul said that the inscription was composed by a great poet in Telugu literature, Srinatha Maha Kavi. He was honoured as “Vidyadhikari” in the court of Vemareddy.
Srinatha composed this inscription in a literary way not by just giving information, but also by giving a poetic explanation to the donations and greatness of king Peda Komati Vema Reddy.
He said that the inscription was neglected and forgotten in the temple.
Mr Rahul said it was the right time to bring this inscription into the limelight, as Kondaveedu fort is witnessing massive restoration works.
