lost and found and losing it again..

There is no recorded history of the early Andhra Kings. We have very less information about the early history of Andhra Kings whose territory extended up to Central India before the well-documented Satavahana period. The Satavahanas were a dynasty which ruled from Junnar, Prathisthapana (Maharashtra and Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh over Southern and Central India from around 230 BCE onward.


The archaeological department did find a key to open the door to the past and unravel the secrets of the ancient kingdom, but sadly no one seems to be interested. And now we are on the verge of losing that key too.

In the preliminary excavations carried out by the archaeological department in 1978-83, 450 coins, gold beads,pottery, decorative art of the pre-satavahana period were found in Kotalingala village in Karimnagar district. These were found at an 120-acre site ay kotalingala with remnants of a fort, stupa, ancient Siva temple and open wells. But shockingly, a re-survey and systematic excavation have not taken place till date.

The discovery of pre-satavahana period coins showed that they belonged to king Gobada who was the first Andhra King and ruled from kotilingala , followed by Satavahana kings. Gobada is acknowledged as the first king who issued inscribed coins in the Andhra region.. Hence the discovery of the coins is considered significant in the numismatics(the study or collecting of coins) history of South India. Also, the coins could be instrumental in proving the antiquity of the Telugu language in comparison with the other Dravidian languages.

LOSING IT

However, there is a chance that this archaeological treasure trove could get submerged by the Yellampally project which is being undertaken to utilize the Godavari waters for irrigation. If this project, which is under progress, is completed, the whole site could be submerged under water. And with that, the sole hope of bringing the lost kingdoms into light. If the site is not protected and preserved, as it deserves to be, the past will be buried forever!!!!!!!