14th century sculpture found in Mahabubnagar

Hyderabad: A 14th century AD sculpture of Vishnu-Chennakesava was identified in the sand dunes in Mahabubnagar. The idol, which was carved out of black granite stone, was found 15 feet below the ground. Based on the information from Devarkadra MLA A Venkateswara Reddy, archaeologist E Sivanagi Reddy rushed to Mucchintala village in Chinna Chintalkunta Mandal […]

Hyderabad: A 14th century AD sculpture of Vishnu-Chennakesava was identified in the sand dunes in Mahabubnagar. The idol, which was carved out of black granite stone, was found 15 feet below the ground.

Based on the information from Devarkadra MLA A Venkateswara Reddy, archaeologist E Sivanagi Reddy rushed to Mucchintala village in Chinna Chintalkunta Mandal and examined the sculpture.

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It was recovered while removing the sand as part of the construction of a check dam across Vookachettuvagu stream, which is just half km away from the village. The interesting part is that the idol was kept underneath a series of rosewood logs for safety and security when there was political unrest soon after the last Kakatiya emperor Prataparudra was taken captive after war in 1323 AD, he said.

“After a thorough probe of some more Kakatiya sculptures found defaced near the local Shiva temple, I came to this conclusion,” said Sivanagi Reddy.

Based on the art style of the Chennakesava sculpture holding Sankhu, Chakra, Padma and Gada in his four hands and typical ornaments, the archaeologist dates the sculpture belongs to the first quarter of the 14th century AD.

He appealed to the local community to preserve it for posterity by shifting it to the village under proper care. Zilla Parishad Chairperson Swarna Sudhakar Reddy, MPP Harshavardhan Reddy and Sarpanch S Haritha were also present.

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