Over 1,000-Year-Old 50 Sculptures Found In Telangana's Pudur; Archaeologist Call Out 'Utter Neglect', Demand Museum

After the recent uncovering of many Jain statues hidden among shrubs and beneath trees in Kankal village, located in the Pudur mandal of Vikarabad district in Telangana, archaeologists and heritage lovers are calling on the district and village authorities to create a museum for their preservation.

Under the 'Preserve Heritage for Posterity' initiative, Dr E Sivanagi Reddy, a senior archaeologist, recently recorded 50 notable sculptures. It is conjectured that these artifacts hail from a period between the 8th and 10th centuries, Indian Express reported.

Alongside heritage enthusiasts Chakali Sampath Kamar, S Venkatarami Reddy, and several local villagers, Dr Sivanagi raised awareness among the local community about the historical importance of these sculptures and the necessity to maintain them for future generations.

Dr Sivanagi, also the chief executive officer (CEO) of Pleach India Foundation, noted that Pudur mandal could be recognised as a Jain hub comparable to Chilkur near Hyderabad, although it has yet to receive the acknowledgement it deserves and is in "utter neglect."

"These beautiful jain sculptures are noticed scattered here at Kankal village and we appeal to the village and district administration to set up a village museum. The sculptures need to be shifted to a safe place and erected on pedestals with proper labels on the historicity for future generations," he said.

Numerous overlooked Jain sculptures of Parshwanath and Mahavira, made from black granite and accompanied by Yaksha and Yakshinis, are dispersed throughout the village, near a masjid, along the roadside, and beneath a tamarind tree. These damaged sculptures are in urgent need of preservation due to their considerable artistic and historical importance.

The team discovered a variety of sculptures from the Rashtrakuta period, including a massive idol of Ganesh, three idols of Nandi, four Shiva lingas, 15 Nagadevtas, Saptamatrikas, Veerabhadra, and 10 Veeragals (heroes depicted in combat), among other artifacts.

A Parshwanath statue in Kayotsarga posture, currently in a damaged state with its head and the hoods of the serpent king Dharnendra broken off, stands on a grand pedestal adorned with lion carvings which are symbolic of Vardhamana Mahavira.

Given these indications, Dr Sivanagi theorises the potential existence of a yet undiscovered Mahavira sculpture within the village. Chandi, Chamundi, and numerous Jain sculptures concealed among bushes and beneath trees were also found. He stated these structures are representative of the Badami Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, Kalyani Chalukya, and Kakatiya artistic styles.

Over the past 10 years, the Pleach India Foundation, led by Dr Sivanagi, has made visits to more than 800 villages in the two Telugu states, recording the local history. Their objective, he explained, is to raise awareness among the public about the importance of preserving their heritage.