Hyderabad: A 600-year-old rock inscription bearing the earliest known reference to the name ‘Telangana’ is on the verge of vanishing, quite literally. Etched into a weathered stone slab in Tellapur village on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the inscription reads “Telumganapuram” and dates back to January 8, 1418 AD, during the reign of Feroz Shah Bahmani.Believed to be a rare linguistic marker of Telangana’s medieval identity, the inscription now lies neglected and exposed atop an old graveyard named after Habeeb Hasan Habshi, an African-origin figure who is said to have served in the Deccan’s military ranks.The inscription records a historical account of Feroz Shah Bahmani marching toward Pangal in present-day Wanaparthy district, when his camp halted in this area.“The inscription records the construction of a well along with water carriers by Ojus [artisans] detailed in the inscription in the village Telumganapura. It also states that Nagoju, one of the artisans, made golden ornaments for the queen of Feroz Shah in an attempt to impress the royal family. The scribe is Rudroju Sirigiroju,” said Sibghat Khan of Deccan Archive, a foundation researching the region’s history.Local artisan communities are believed to have constructed a stepwell and granite-pillared pavilion to serve the visiting army. The inscriptions stand between the granite pillars which were used as pulleys for the stepwell.“The stepwell, now partially buried under the encroachment of the urban sprawl, once stood as a symbol of community and craftsmanship. Today, both the construction and the cultural context are steadily eroding. This inscription is tangible proof that the identity of Telangana predates its modern political formation. With no protective enclosure, no information board, and no conservation plan, the rock has weathered significantly,” said Emani Siva Nagi Reddy, an archaeologist, who spent three decades researching Deccan heritage.The last few monsoons, locals say, only worsened the damage. What remains of the carefully carved Telugu script is faint, and without urgent intervention, may disappear altogether. “It was much clearer when I first moved here in 2006,” said Gopularam Gopal, a Tellapur resident who has a house next to the site. “I watched the site deteriorate. One day, there will be nothing left, not the rock, not the name, not even the memory.“Heritage activists are now urging the state archaeology department to act swiftly. Suggestions include building a canopy to shield the rock, putting up educational signage, and documenting the remaining inscription through high-resolution imaging.“There are over 10,000 Telugu inscriptions that need protection. Various companies can take it up as CSR projects as well,” said Srinath Reddy, an archaeologist, who submitted multiple petitions with different departments for various heritage sites including the Tellapur inscription. “Without swift action, the name that shaped an entire state’s identity may soon vanish from the very stone that once preserved it.“According to the department of archaeology and museums, Telangana, the site is currently recognised at the village institutional level. However, officials stated that they have not yet visited the location. “We will look into the matter and assess the issue,” said P Nagaraju, assistant director at the department.
