By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: A significant historical rediscovery has been made by the Rediscover Lost Heritage (RLH) Group, with the unearthing of a 15th-century stone inscription from the reign of great Gajapati King Kapilendra Deva.
The inscription, attributed to Prince Hamvira Deva Mahapatra—son of the Gajapati Kapilendra and a distinguished warrior of his time—was found in Jakkampudi village, on the outskirts of Vijayawada city of Andhra Pradesh. The inscription, lying in a neglected state near an agriculture field, was identified during a heritage exploration led by history researcher Deepak Kumar Nayak, along with team members of RLH Group Rabindra Kumar Rana and Bikram Kumar Nayak.
According to Rabindra Kumar Rana, the inscription was found on land owned by local resident Gandam Shivaji. Nearby, an ancient idol of Lord Ganesh and a Herostone also came to our notice. The inscribed stone bears carvings of the sun, moon, and bull—symbols traditionally associated with Gajapati era inscriptions. ‘This find sheds light on the southern extent of the Suryavamsi Gajapati Empire, which once stretched from the River Ganges in the north to the Kaveri River in the south,’ said researcher Rana. “Kumar Hamvira Deva played a pivotal role in the empire’s expansion into southern India.”
History Researcher and author of the book ‘Relics of Kalinga in South India, Part-I’, Deepak Kumar Nayak, stated that the mention of this inscription had been referenced in the book ‘Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy’ (Year-1913). Comprising 17 lines in Telugu script and language, the inscription also mentions the village’s historical name—Jakiredipalli. This village name is also found in another stone inscription from Gajapati Kapilendra Deva’s reign. The text records a charitable land grant by Kumara Hamvira Deva for religious services, including the provision of incense, lamps, and offerings to God Papavinasana & Rudradeva of Bejwada (Vijayawada), as well as the maintenance of feeding houses (satras) for Jangamas and Brahmanas, said Nayak.
Highlighting the importance of preservation, Bikash Prasad Das, a founder member of Rediscover Lost Heritage Group, stated that this rediscovery is of immense value for the shared heritage of two states Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. We have informed local villagers about its significance and will urge both state archaeological departments to take immediate steps for its protection. Our organization will formally request that the inscription be relocated to a museum for conservation.
