myIndiamyGlory

This set of copper plate charter containing three leaves,found at Śrīśailam,Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, written in Sanskrit and Telugu languages and Telugu characters, dated Śaka 1341, Sārvari, Māgha śu.13, Thursday = 1420 CE, January 28.

 

It records that Rēcharla Liṅgama Nāyaka after gaining control over the areas occupied earlier by the Turks (Muslims) had restored the eight agrahāras viz., Vōḍanekaḷapalli, Mākundavaram, Siṅgāpuram, Basavapuram(all in Munalūri-sīma),Pudinadulu (in Guḍipalli-sīma), Auṭupalli (in Chaṛikoṅḍa-sīma), Juvunemtulu and Suḍapalli (in Dēvarakoṅḍa-sīma), as well as some vṛittis of land in the villages Regaḍevulapalli, Vuggulapalli and Gaṇapuram to the god Śrī Mahēśvaradēva of Śrīśailam.

Various services associated with the Śrīśailam temple were stopped due to the occupation of the Turks and those were restored by Liṅgama Nāyaka after gaining control over the region. The services listed in the inscription are *nityāpahāra (providing food offerings to the deity), akhaṅḍa-dīpāla-chamuru (supply of ghee for burning perpetual lamps in the temple), nivalipalyālu-nityasatram (distributing food at the almshouse), Śivarātrī-mahōtsavam (celebration of Śivarātrī festival) and Bhūrisatram (providing accommodation to the pilgrims in the choultries)*

 

This inscription is historically very significant as it describes the consequences of seizing of a place of religious prominence by Turks rulers and the subsequent restoration of privileges to the temple and its agrahāras, following the occupation by Rēcharla Liṅgama Nāyaka.