11th-Century Chalukya Inscription Found at Nandivanaparti in Rangareddy

Researchers at Ibrahimpatnam have identified an 11th-century inscription lying on the premises of the Siddheshwara Temple at Nandivanaparti in Yacharam mandal, Rangareddy district.

The inscription, designated as the Nandivanaparti Siddeshwara Temple Inscription, was deciphered by Dr Pavan Kumar, a professor at the Government Degree College in Ibrahimpatnam, with assistance from Sriramoju Haragopal, president of the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam.

The inscription slab was initially visible on only one side. Upon turning the pillar over, researchers uncovered the beginning portion of the text on the opposite side. The top of the stone slab features half-sculptures depicting the Moon, the Sun, Nandi, a Shiva Linga, a sword under a cow, and elephants.

Epigraphical examination confirmed that the text was written in the 11th-century Telugu-Kannada script and in the Kannada language. The first face of the pillar bears a prasasti, or eulogy, of the Kalyani Chalukya Emperor Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI, along with an explicit mention of his capital, Kalyana. Due to physical damage to the stone, only 15 lines remain visible on this face.

The second side of the slab contains 20 lines of text recording a formal donation issued on Shaka year 998, Chaitra Shuddha 12, Friday, which corresponds to April 7, 1077 CE. The record states that the donation was made by Emperor Tribhuvanamalla's Mahamandaleshwar, named as Mogata Rasara, to Iinjakeshvara. The specific details enumerating the gifted items have broken away from the stone.