Bhubaneswar: An inscription-bearing stone dating back to the reign of Gajapati Kapilendra Deva has been discovered in Tekkali town of Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district, potentially offering fresh insights into the history of the Gajapati kingdom and Odisha’s historical influence in the region.

The important find was made by heritage researchers Deepak Kumar Nayak and Bikram Kumar Nayak, members of the Rediscover Lost Heritage Trust, which has been researching Kalinga heritage sites in southern India.

According to heritage researcher Deepak Kumar Nayak, details of the inscription had earlier been documented in the ‘Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy’ published in 1926-27. Based on the historical reference, the researchers contacted Lalit Kumar Dev, a member of the Tekkali royal family.

With Dev’s assistance, the researchers were able to locate the inscription at the Tekkali palace.

The stone had reportedly been placed beneath a Tulasi chaura, due to which a substantial portion of the inscription had been damaged over time. However, the researchers managed to collect an estampage (impression) of the surviving inscription for further study.

The inscription is written in the Odia script. Although the first line has been completely lost, the second and third lines contain references to Pratap Kapileswara, or Gajapati Kapilendra Deva. The fourth line reportedly contains the words “Bijeraije”.

Researchers said the deteriorated condition of the inscription makes it difficult to determine the exact regnal year of Kapilendra Deva in which it was engraved or the specific purpose for which it was created.

However, Kapilendra Deva ruled Odisha during the 15th century, and researchers believe the inscription could therefore date back to that period.

During the reign of Gajapati Kapilendra Deva, the Gajapati kingdom expanded considerably, with its influence traditionally described as extending from the Ganga in the north to the Kaveri in the south.

Tekkali also has historical links with Odisha. It was once part of an ancient Odia zamindari in the Ganjam region and was separated from Odisha during the formation of the separate Odisha province. A significant number of Odia families continue to live in Tekkali even today.

Several inscriptions dating to the period of Gajapati Kapilendra Deva have previously been discovered at other locations in Srikakulam district, including Mukhalingam and Srikurmam.

The discovery of the inscription at Tekkali is therefore being viewed as a significant development for research into the history of the Gajapati period and the extent of Odisha’s historical and cultural influence in southern regions.

Researchers are expected to undertake further study of the estampage and surviving portions of the inscription to establish more details about its date, context and historical significance.