Lost city by the Krishna: 3,000 years of history unearthed in Nalgonda

Hyderabad: Historian Dr Dyavanapalli Satyanarayana has reported the discovery of the remains of a ‘major ancient city' on the left bank of the Krishna river in Dameracherla mandal of Nalgonda district, with evidence pointing to continuous human settlement from around 3,000 years ago to the 15th century CE.Dr Satynarayana, the curator of tribal museums, govt of Telangana, said the site lies along the southern boundary of the Veerlapalem–Veerappagudem villages. He noted that the landscape bears traces from the Iron Age through to the medieval period, including ‘hundreds' of Iron Age megalithic burials (cairns), fort walls and bastions, granaries, temples, wells, houses, sculptures and hero stones. Iron slag found at several locations indicates early metallurgical activity, suggesting local iron production capable of working large stone blocks. He has also authored a book on Krishna River Valley Civilization in Telangana.Megalithic burials under threatThe historian said the Iron Age burials, built with four upright stones capped by a flat slab, are locally believed to be the graves of warriors, a belief reflected in place names such as Veerulapadu and Veerappagudem. He added that the perennial Krishna river provided water and natural resources that enabled a flourishing settlement.He flagged large-scale damage to the cairns, attributing the ‘near disappearance' of many burials to extensive quarrying by a cement company and locals, as well as destruction by treasure hunters. The burial stones, he said, are locally known as Banjar Raallu (Palnadu stone) and are abundant in the area.Fort, granaries & a ruined templeDr Satyanarayana said habitation evidence is sparse for nearly a millennium after the megalithic phase, but medieval remains dating from the 10th to the 15th centuries are clearly visible. He described a square fortification measuring about 70 × 70 metres, with a main southern entrance overlooking the Krishna, foundations of a structure within, and a south-eastern bastion that appears to have served as a watchtower.He said damaged shrines and sculptures of Vanadurga, Pochamma, Pothuraju, and Veerabhadra/Bhairava, along with several hero stones, are visible to the north-east, adding that their temples were destroyed. Based on architectural features, he dated these remains to the period between the Kanduri Cholas and the Recherla Padmanayakas. Local tradition links the fort to the Kakatiya queen Rudramadevi, who is said to have used it as a grain storage centre, which he said is supported by the presence of large circular granaries plastered with lime mortar and the absence of domestic pottery.About one furlong south of the fort, on the riverbank, Dr Satyanarayana identified a ruined Lakshmi Narasimha temple from the Recherla Padmanayaka period (14th–15th centuries CE). He said the front mandapa has been destroyed, but parts of the sanctum survive. Broken idols of Lakshmi Narasimha, Adi Lakshmi and Chenchu Lakshmi were recovered and reassembled by him. Garuda carvings on the pedestal and a nearby Dāsānjaneya sculpture, he said, indicate Padmanayaka patronage.Citing rapid destruction due to quarrying and vandalism, Dr Satyanarayana urged the archaeology department to document the site immediately ‘before this invaluable heritage disappears forever'.