Rare stone inscription at Shiva temple reveals details of temple donation, tax waivers in 1058 CE
Karimnagar: Members of the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam (KTCB) have discovered an inscription dating back to the Kalyani Chalukya period of the 11th century at the Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Pentakhurdu village, Bodhan mandal, Nizamabad district.
Speaking on the occasion, KTCB convener Sriramoju Haragopal said the inscription, engraved on a stone pillar, offers valuable insights into the history and culture of the 11th century. The pillar, originally part of a dilapidated Shiva temple, was preserved by locals when the temple was restored in 1984. The inscription, comprising 47 lines written in the Telugu-Kannada script, is dated March 10, 1058 CE, during the reign of Kalyani Chalukya Emperor Trailokyamalla Deva.
According to the inscription, a devotee named Savadigeya Ponraya made a donation to the Nakareshwara Temple, which included land for its maintenance. It also records that certain taxes were waived for the temple's benefit during a solar eclipse. Additionally, the donation included a garden, a well, and 25 rukhas (a form of currency), located near the Kotagiri Fort.
The discovery highlights the historical significance of Pentakhurdu village and sheds light on the social and cultural practices of the time. The preservation of the inscription was made possible through the efforts of local residents, including B.V. Bhaskar Reddy, G. Veeraraja Rao, and other villagers.
