Rare 14th-Century Memorial Pillars and Sati Stones found at Keesaragutta
Medchal, Sept.4 : Historians from the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam (KTCB) have identified ancient memorial pillars, veeragallu (hero stones), and sati stones dating back to the 14th–15th centuries near Shahikaman in Keesaragutta, Medchal–Malkajgiri district. The discovery sheds light on historical Shaivite burial traditions and memorial practices in regional Telangana.
The historical investigation revealed two pairs of pillars erected on stone platforms. Nearby, a hero stone depicts a warrior facing north, equipped with a sword and shield, accompanied by two women behind him—one carrying a water pot (kamandalu). According to historians, these women were his wives who performed self-sacrifice (sati) following his death in battle. Based on the warrior’s topknot (siga), battle attire (veerakase), and traditional clothing, researchers dated the sculptures to the 14th–15th centuries.
The stone pillars serve as tomb markers for the fallen warrior and his wives. One pillar features a carved temple tower (vimana) motif at the top, while another bears a carved Nandi bull resting on a rectangular platform, signaling their Shaivite beliefs. A second pair of pillars similarly contains Nandi carvings along with relief sculptures of a warrior and his wife, flanked by a sacred Banalinga installed between them.
KTCB President Sriramoju Haragopal explained that erect Nandi stones were a special honor reserved for revered teachers (acharyas) or rulers (prabhus) within Shaivite tradition, noting similar architectural findings at Tripurantakam. The field research team included KTCB members Tribhuvana Vikramaditya, Nalla Madhusudan Reddy, Ramakrishna, Ramesh, and Sai.
Keywords: Keesaragutta Memorial Pillars, Sati Stones Telangana, Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam, Sriramoju Haragopal, Medchal Malkajgiri Archaeology, Shaivite Heritage, Hero Stones Telangana
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