Another inscription brought to light in the fort of Kondaveedu

Members of the Kondaveedu Fort Development Committee at the ruins of the Siva temple at Rudrapada Sikharam in Kondaveedu Fort, Palnadu District. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Another inscription has been brought to light in the fort of Kondaveedu in Palnadu district and the survey suggests that it is a continuation of the inscription discovered earlier on the same hilltop.

Kondaveedu Fort Development Committee convener Kalli Siva Reddy along with local residents Ganta Koteswara Rao, Goraka Kannareddy and Kondeboyina China Venkateswarlu reached Rudrapada Sikharam on Monday (September 21, 2026).

A newly found inscription on the right door pillar of the ruined Shiva temple at Kondaveeda, dusted with powder to reveal the writing. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The most recent inscription was found on the right doorpost in front of the shrine of a ruined Shiva temple on a hill, also locally called Adam Shafi Bodu (hill). The column was previously partially covered by another stone. The team moved the stone aside, cleaned the column and photographed the inscription.

In June, the committee identified an inscription on the left doorpost of the same shrine. Its text was sent to K. Muniratnam Reddy, Director, Archaeological Survey of India (Epigraphy), for decipherment. The new inscription was sent to him for accurate reading.

Mr. Muniratnam Reddy told The Hindu that readings indicated that the inscription recorded the grant of four putlu wetlands with fixed boundaries to teachers or gurus associated with Tapanacharyulu, the land being granted for permanent use.

Rudrapada Sikharam has two Shiva temples, one destroyed and the other still standing. The ruined sanctuary retained only its sanctum sanctorum with two door pillars.

Kondaveeti Kaifiyat (a local chronicle) describes Kondaveeda as a group of 42 hills. The hill (Rudrapada Sikharam) is surrounded by Bollumora Venkateswara Swamy Bodu, Gurralabodu and Vankabodu temples. The Kaifiyat records donations by the Redda ruler Pedakomati Vema Redda to temples in the area.

Based on its architectural features, the Siva shrine is believed to date from the 14th or 15th century. The Development Committee had earlier brought to light four inscriptions at Kondaveed, including one from the reign of Pedakomati Vema Reddy.

Published – 22 Sep 2026 13:25 IST