NEWS: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered three 16th-century inscriptions of Vijayanagara king Sadasivaraya in the Seshachalam Forest, Tirupati district.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Inscriptions are written in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada.
- Dated 31 July 1554 CE.
- Record the construction of a Siva temple and a Mutt (monastery) at Papavinasa during King Sadasivaraya's pilgrimage.
- Mention land grants and Kaanika (tax revenue) from two villages to support daily worship and food offerings at the Gudimallam Parasurameswara Temple.
- Refer to Sadasiva Basavanna Odeya, disciple of Linganna Vodaya, and Peddayya as the composer/temple accountant.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
- Reaffirms the importance of the Gudimallam Parasurameswara Temple, regarded as India's earliest known Siva temple (2nd century BCE).
- Shows continued royal patronage and financial support to ancient temples during the Vijayanagara period.
- Provides valuable evidence on temple administration, land grants, and multilingual governance.
ABOUT THE VIJAYANAGARA EMPIRE
- Period: 1336–1646 CE
- Founded by: Harihara I and Bukka Raya I (Sangama Dynasty) on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
- Dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.
- Greatest ruler: Krishnadevaraya (Tuluva Dynasty), author of Amuktamalyada and patron of the Ashtadiggajas.
- Administration: Nayankara (Amara-Nayaka) System of military land grants.
- Architecture: Famous for Raya Gopurams, Kalyana Mandapas, and temples such as Vittalaswamy and Hazara Rama at Hampi.
- Decline: After the Battle of Talikota (Rakshasi-Tangadi), 1565, against the Deccan Sultanates.