Kotilingala village faces threat from Yellampally
Kotilingala coins prove antiquity of Telangana Telugu language
But the much-needed resurvey and systematic excavation of the 120-acre site at Kotilingala with remnants of fort, stupa, ancient Siva temple, open wells and connecting channels to know more about pre-Satavahana period, not documented anywhere, is still hanging fire.
Are we on the verge of losing a treasure trove of archaeological evidence to the early history of Andhra Kings whose territory extended up to Central India much before the well-documented Satavahana period?
The answer could be an unfortunate ‘yes’ if Kotilingala village in Karimnagar district, with tell-tale evidences of archaeological proof that can throw more light about the pre-Satavahana period, is submerged by Yellampalli project. This, even before a proposed thorough investigation of site is taken up by the government.
Time is running out as the project is progressing well and the villagers are to be shifted to pave way for the work. Though the Archaeology Department carried out excavations in a haphazard manner during 1978 -83 which resulted in finding of 450 coins, gold beads, pottery, decorative art of pre-Satavahana period, a report was published only last year.
Significant discovery: The discovery of the coins of pre-Satavahana and Satavahana period in 1978 is considered significant in the numismatics history of South India as for the first time it showed that the inscribed coins belonged to Gobada, first Andhra King who ruled from Kotilingala and others followed by Satavahana kings.
Gobada is acknowledged as the first king who issued inscribed coins in the Andhra region,
There is no recorded history of early Telangana kings and the Puranas only talk about Satavahanas, referred to as Sunga Bruthas, it was never conclusively proved till the discovery of Kotilingala coins,
Just as Nagarjunakonda was preserved for posterity as a mark of contribution of Ikshvakus.
Kotilingala fort site, the place from where Satavahanas ruled up to Gwalior, comprising half of India at one time, should be preserved and protected.
The excavation could throw up valuable inputs just like Harappan excavations.
Kotilingala coins prove antiquity of Telangana Telugu language
But the much-needed resurvey and systematic excavation of the 120-acre site at Kotilingala with remnants of fort, stupa, ancient Siva temple, open wells and connecting channels to know more about pre-Satavahana period, not documented anywhere, is still hanging fire.
Are we on the verge of losing a treasure trove of archaeological evidence to the early history of Andhra Kings whose territory extended up to Central India much before the well-documented Satavahana period?
The answer could be an unfortunate ‘yes’ if Kotilingala village in Karimnagar district, with tell-tale evidences of archaeological proof that can throw more light about the pre-Satavahana period, is submerged by Yellampalli project. This, even before a proposed thorough investigation of site is taken up by the government.
Time is running out as the project is progressing well and the villagers are to be shifted to pave way for the work. Though the Archaeology Department carried out excavations in a haphazard manner during 1978 -83 which resulted in finding of 450 coins, gold beads, pottery, decorative art of pre-Satavahana period, a report was published only last year.
Significant discovery: The discovery of the coins of pre-Satavahana and Satavahana period in 1978 is considered significant in the numismatics history of South India as for the first time it showed that the inscribed coins belonged to Gobada, first Andhra King who ruled from Kotilingala and others followed by Satavahana kings.
Gobada is acknowledged as the first king who issued inscribed coins in the Andhra region,
There is no recorded history of early Telangana kings and the Puranas only talk about Satavahanas, referred to as Sunga Bruthas, it was never conclusively proved till the discovery of Kotilingala coins,
Just as Nagarjunakonda was preserved for posterity as a mark of contribution of Ikshvakus.
Kotilingala fort site, the place from where Satavahanas ruled up to Gwalior, comprising half of India at one time, should be preserved and protected.
The excavation could throw up valuable inputs just like Harappan excavations.
