Rare Vijayanagara Era Inscriptions Discovered in Andhra Pradesh

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An expert team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) found three rare 16th-century inscriptions inside the Seshachalam forest range in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

The find includes three rare stone inscriptions from the 16th century that experts copied using estampages for safe keeping and language study.
These records use three different languages, namely Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada.

The team found these at Sadasivakona, which is a quiet and less explored part of the Seshachalam forest range in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh.
This search follows similar survey work done by the same team in the nearby Nallamala Hills.
The main inscription notes that King Sadasiva Raya personally visited this holy place to take a ritual bath.
It details his official royal gift, along with plans to build a Siva temple and a mutt at Papavinasa in Sadasivakona.

King Sadasiva Raya ruled from 1542 to 1570 CE as the final crowned ruler of the Tuluva Dynasty under the great Vijayanagara Empire.

When Achyuta Raya passed away in 1542 CE, his son Venkata I took charge for a short time before dying in palace plots.
Sadasiva Raya, who was the nephew of Achyuta Raya, took the throne following the family rules of the Tuluva dynasty.
He served as a figurehead king while actual control stayed with Aliya Rama Raya and his brothers, who later locked him up and ruled for him.

Under the guidance of Rama Raya, the Vijayanagara Empire won back much of its political power and military might after the era of Krishna Deva Raya.
His rule kept up strong support for temples, holy sites, and pilgrim routes, which old writings still show today.

Rama Raya led the army against the united forces of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, and Bidar in 1565.
The Vijayanagara Empire faced a heavy defeat at Talikota where Rama Raya was caught and killed, and the main city suffered huge damage.
Tirumala took charge after the fight while Sadasiva Raya passed away soon after, ending the strong rule of the Vijayanagara Empire even though the Aravidu dynasty followed.