Odisha
15th Century Odisha Rulers’ Inscriptions Found in Guntur Temple
- 19 Mar 2026
- 2 min read
Why in News?
A 15th-century inscription linked to the Gajapati rulers of Odisha has been discovered on a stone pillar at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Ramachandrapura Agraharam, Guntur, highlighting strong historical ties between Odisha and the Andhra region during the late medieval period.
Key Points:
- Discovery of Inscriptions: The inscriptions were found in a temple complex in Guntur district.
- Link to Odisha Rulers: The inscriptions are associated with the Gajapati dynasty of Odisha.
- The Gajapati rulers were powerful kings who controlled large parts of eastern and southern India during the medieval period
- The Rulers: The inscriptions are attributed to the reign of Gajapati Kapilendra Deva (the founder of the Gajapati dynasty) and his son Purushottama Deva.
- Language & Script: The inscriptions are carved in Medieval Odia and Telugu scripts, reflecting the linguistic synthesis of the region during that era.
- Content: One inscription records the grant of land and villages to the Malleswara Swamy Temple for its daily rituals and maintenance.
- The second inscription details a remission of taxes for the local weaving community (Kaikala) and merchants, a common administrative practice to ensure loyalty in newly conquered territories.
- Date: The epigraphs are dated to the Saka Era, corresponding to the mid-to-late 15th century (approx. 1460–1480 CE).
- Significance:Confirms that Odisha rulers had political control over parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh.
- Cultural Exchange:Use of multiple scripts (Telugu and Odia) shows linguistic and cultural interaction
