Latest news with #ArchaeologicalSurveyofIndia
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Chidambaram inscription praises Kakatiya Rani Rudrama's prowess
HYDERABAD: A 13th century Tamil inscription recently discovered at the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram has sparked interest due to its reference to the Kakatiya queen, Rudramadevi. Found on the west gopuram near the entrance, the inscription is written in verse and celebrates the military exploits of King Vikrama Pandya. According to K Munirathnam Reddy, Director (Epigraphy) at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the verses praise Vikrama Pandya's victories over Venadan (Travancore) at Podiyil, awarding him titles like Bhuvanekavira and Korkai-kavalan. However, it is the second and third verses that stand out. They mention that Vikrama Pandya halted his northern campaign out of respect — or perhaps caution — because the region was ruled by a powerful woman, Rudramadevi, the daughter of Kakatiya king Ganapati. One line reportedly advises the king not to proceed northward as it is governed by 'a woman with a man's name'. Rudramadevi ruled the Kakatiya dynasty from 1263 to 1289, one of the rare women monarchs in Indian history. She famously adopted a masculine identity to reinforce her legitimacy as a ruler. Reddy said the inscription offers a rare glimpse into 13th-century regional politics and highlights the influence Rudramadevi held across kingdoms — even beyond present-day Telangana.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Rare Tamil inscription at TN references Kakatiya queen Rudramadevi
Hyderabad: A Tamil inscription from the reign of Vikrama Pandya, discovered at the renowned Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, has revealed a rare reference to Kakatiya ruler Rani Rudramadevi—offering fresh insights into inter-regional political dynamics of the medieval period. Engraved in classical Tamil verse on the western gopuram of the temple—specifically on the left side of the entrance—the inscription belongs to the period of Vikrama Pandya. While it primarily celebrates the king's victory over Venadan (present day Travancore) at Podiyil and refers to him with titles such as Bhuvanekavira and Korkaikavalan, its historical significance also lies in what it deliberately omits, said K Muniratnam Reddy, director, epigraphy division, Archaeological Survey of India. "The second and third verses clearly state that Vikrama Pandya did not pursue further conquests to the north because the region was already under the rule of a woman—Rudramadevi, daughter of Kakatiya king Ganapati," he explained. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad According to Muniratnam Reddy, the inscription is notable for its acknowledgment of contemporary political boundaries extending beyond present day Tamil Nadu. "This is a rare instance of epigraphic evidence from Tamil Nadu explicitly referring to a woman monarch from the Deccan—Rudramadevi of Warangal," he said.
The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
₹12 lakh allocated for conservation plan of Kundrandar Temple in Pudukkottai district
An annual conservation plan has been drawn up at an estimate of ₹12 lakh for the maintenance and conservation of the Kundrandar Temple in Pudukottai district for the current financial year. This has been disclosed by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in reply to a question raised by the Tiruchi Lok Sabha Member Durai Vaiko in the Parliament. The temple, also referred to as Kunnandarkovil, is situated about 35 km from Pudukottai. Vaiko had asked whether it was true that conservation and maintenance works at the temple had been halted or remained unattended for over 25 years and whether there was any plan to resume and complete the restoration and maintenance works at the site. in his reply, said the rock-cut Shiva temple, with its mandapam depicting wheels in the front, was a monument of national importance under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). 'Regular maintenance and conservation works are taken up periodically based on the requirement, priority and resources available... Maintenance and conservation of the maintenance are regular process of work and the ACP for the said monument is made for an amount of ₹12 lakh for this financial year,' the Minister said. The 412 protected monuments and areas under the jurisdiction of the ASI in Tamil Nadu, including the temple, were regularly maintained and conserved, he maintained. The officers of ASI conduct periodic inspections to monitor the status of conservation, maintenance and necessary repair works of these protected monuments and areas. These efforts ensure the proper upkeep and protection of heritage structures in the State, he added.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- General
- Business Standard
610 antiquities retrieved from six countries in five years, says govt
A total of 610 antiquities were retrieved from the US, the UK and four other countries over the last five years, the government informed Parliament on Monday. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared this information in a written reply to a question on whether the government has conducted any survey or study regarding theft of Indian artefacts in the last five years; and details of the total number of artefacts recovered, still missing and unaccounted for over the same period. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains up-to-date data of theft cases in respect of protected monuments, sites and museums under its jurisdiction, he said. On retrieval of antiquities from abroad, according to the data shared by him, in 2020, three artefacts were brought back from Australia and five from the UK. In 2021, 157 antiquities were brought back from the US and one each from Canada and the UK. In 2023 and 2024, the figures stood at 105 (the US) and 297 (the US) respectively. For the US, the total number of retrieved antiquities for 2020-24 stood at 559, and for Australia, the corresponding figures stood at 34. The total number spanning the six countries -- the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Italy and Thailand -- for 2020-24 stands at 610. In response to another query, Shekhawat said, a total of 655 antiquities have been retrieved from foreign countries since 1976. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Committed to releasing Keezhadi findings, but ASI officer report lacks details: Union Min Shekhawat
CHENNAI: Stating that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) does not reject reports on excavations but incorporates views for accuracy, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, on Monday reiterated that the report of archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna lacked several details. Replying to questions from DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Shekhawat said there is no practice of rejecting a report and that the organisation is fully committed to releasing the findings of Keezhadi after due scientific process. To a question on the rationale behind the repeated transfer of the lead archaeologist within nine months and its impact on excavation continuity, the union minister said the allocation of works to archaeological officers is a routine administrative matter.
