Context:

In a significant development for the study of ancient South Indian history, the Epigraphy Branch of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has documented eleven previously unknown inscriptions during an epigraphical survey conducted in the Gundaram Reserve Forest, located approximately 10 km from Peddapalli district headquarters in Telangana. These findings offer valuable insights into the cultural, political, and religious landscape of the Deccan region during the early historic period, particularly under the Satavahana dynasty.

Historical Context of the discovery:

The inscriptions discovered cover a broad time frame, ranging from the 1st century BCE to the 6th century CE. This was a transformative period in the Indian subcontinent, marked by the consolidation of regional powers, the spread of Buddhism and Brahmanical traditions, and the development of trade networks across the Deccan plateau.

·        The Satavahana dynasty, which ruled a significant part of the Deccan during this time, played a crucial role in shaping the region’s socio-political and cultural fabric. The new inscriptions help fill important gaps in the historical narrative of this period.

Key Inscriptions and Their Significance

Among the eleven inscriptions, two inscriptions from the Gundaram rock shelter have drawn particular attention for their rich historical content and early epigraphic features.

The first inscription, composed in early Brahmi script, mentions a figure from the Hāritiputra lineage, possibly belonging to the Chutu dynasty, a minor ruling house often considered contemporaneous or subordinate to the Satavahanas.

·        This individual is credited with excavating a cave for Buddhist monks, indicating patronage of Buddhism in the region.

·        Notably, he identifies himself as a friend of Kumāra Hakusiri, a Satavahana prince, offering a rare glimpse into political alliances and the interconnectedness of ruling elites during this era.

The second inscription is remarkable for its iconographic features. It begins with depictions of a trident and a damaru—religious symbols often associated with Shaivism—and goes on to state that the land east of the hill belonged to Siri Devarāna.

·        This is considered the first known instance in South India of such religious imagery being used in early inscriptions, signaling a symbolic association between political authority and religious identity.

Broader Implications:

These discoveries not only add to the corpus of early Deccan epigraphy but also reflect the complex interplay between religion, politics, and society during the Satavahana period.

The use of symbols like the trident and damaru hints at the emerging role of religious iconography in legitimizing political power—a trend that would become more pronounced in later Indian history.

Conclusion:

The Gundaram inscriptions underscore the importance of systematic epigraphical surveys in uncovering India’s layered past. By documenting these records, the ASI has contributed significantly to understanding the regional histories of Telangana and the evolving dynamics of early historic South India.