16th-Century Vijayanagara Inscriptions Found in Seshachalam Forest

#GS-1 #Indian Heritage Sites #History #Culture #Art & Architecture #Medieval India #Rapid Fire CA

Discovery of Inscriptions

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently discovered three important 16th-century inscriptions inside the dense Seshachalam forest located in Tirupati district.
These epigraphs date back to 31st July 1554 C.E. and were issued during the reign of the Vijayanagara king Sadasivaraya.
The newly found texts display remarkable linguistic diversity by using Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada languages.

The main text records that King Sadasivaraya built a Siva temple and a monastery (Mutt) at Papavinasa while on a personal pilgrimage for a holy bath.
The inscriptions provide details about local revenue administration by recording tax grants called Kaanika and land gifts given from two villages.
These grants were specifically meant to finance daily food offerings and worship services at the ancient Gudimallam Parasurameswara temple.
The records also mention historical figures like Sadasiva Basavanna Odeya and Peddayya who served as the temple accountant and composer.
The discovery proves that the 2nd-century BC Gudimallam shrine, known as India’s first known Siva temple, continued to receive direct royal attention and funding during the Vijayanagara era.

Established in 1336-1646 CE by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, the Vijayanagara Empire rose on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
The empire flourished across four successive dynasties named Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.
It reached its greatest heights under Krishnadevaraya of the Tuluva dynasty, who wrote the famous Telugu book Amuktamalyada, supported the Ashtadiggajas, and won major wars against the Gajapatis and Adil Shahis.
The administration relied on the Nayankara (Amara-Nayaka) system, which gave land territories called Amaram to military chiefs in exchange for troops and tribute.
The empire left behind stunning examples of the Dravidian architectural style featuring Kalyana Mandapas and massive gateways like the ones found in Hampi's Vittalaswamy and Hazara Rama temples.
Valuable details about its wealth and trade come from foreign visitors such as Ibn Battuta (Morocco), Nicolo de Conti (Italy), Abdur Razzak (Persia), and Domingo Paes (Portugal).
The empire eventually faced a major downfall after losing the decisive Battle of Talikota (Rakshasi-Tangadi) in 1565 against the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates.