390-year-old lamp post in Nalgonda unravels trade links of Telangana

Subject: History

Section: Medieval India

Context:

A 390-year-old Deepastambham (lamp post) discovered on the River Krishna’s edge in Nalgonda district, Telangana, highlights early medieval trade ties.

About Deepastambham (lamp post):

The 20-foot tall pillar, with hollows for lamps and a multi-lingual inscription, was found in Mudimanikyam village.
The discovery was made by Ashok Kumar from the Public Research Institute for History, Archaeology & Heritage, indicating a unique find in the Krishna River valley.
Unlike the common Dhwajasthambham (flag pole) in temple architecture, lamp posts are rare in the Deccan region.
The inscription, dated June 1635 and written in Telugu mixed with Tamil, suggests the pillar was dedicated to Kasi Viswanatha and possibly served as a lighthouse for riverine trade.
The village’s proximity to Hyderabad, ruled by Qutb Shahi rulers during the period, and references by European travellers, including Tavernier, suggest the importance of riverine trade routes alongside land trade.

Source: TH