Uncovering ancient rock art and forgotten histories of Telangana villages

A quiet revolution in historical storytelling is underway in Telangana. Over the past few years, a treasure trove of archaeological finds and cultural narratives has surfaced, courtesy the grassroots initiative Kotha Telangana Charithra Brundam (KTCB). Literally translating to ‘New History Group of Telangana,’ the 125-member collective is made up of farmers, professionals, students, and teachers — everyday history enthusiasts who are unearthing remnants of the region’s past, often hidden in plain sight.

“This is my office,” quips 68-year-old Sriramoju Hargopal, gesturing to his laptop at his home in Tellapur, Hyderabad. Surrounded by stacks of books, the retired Telugu teacher and KTCB convener spends his days poring over photos and field reports sent in by volunteers.

His passion for the past began with a story told by his grandfather. “He once explained how our village, Alair in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana, got its name,” Mr. Hargopal recalls. “The village had cows (aavulu) fierce enough to drive away tigers, and was surrounded by a large water body (eru). That’s why it was named Alair.” That tale stayed with him, igniting a lifelong curiosity about local histories and the invisible threads that connect memory, myth, and place.

In 1999, while working as a government school teacher, Mr. Hargopal found an unlikely kindred spirit in his colleague Viruvanti Gopalakrishna, the senior-most teacher at the school and a noted historian, now 90 years old. The two began travelling together across Telangana’s villages, mapping old temples, prehistoric sites, and long-forgotten inscriptions. Sometimes, they were joined by a former student or a fellow teacher. Their discoveries found their way into around 20 self-published books — quiet testaments to their relentless curiosity.

The journey did not stop even after Mr. Hargopal’s retirement in 2013. Over the last decade, what began as an individual passion evolved into a collective movement. Around 125 volunteers — ordinary people from across professions — have come together under the informal banner of the KTCB to explore the histories embedded in their own villages. Though not formally registered, the group has grown steadily, powered by single and repeated contributions from its members, each adding a thread to Telangana’s rich historical tapestry.

How the group works

Once a villager spots something unique — a centuries-old sculpture, an unusual inscription, or remnants of a buried structure — he or she sends photos or videos to a WhatsApp group. Back in Tellapur, Mr. Hargopal, who is also an iconographer, begins decoding the visuals, often referencing historical texts or consulting experts like archaeologists Emani Sivanagi Reddy and Damaraju Surya Kumar.

If the find is promising, the KTCB team gets to work: drawing up a plan of action and reaching out to collaborators like the Rock Art Society of India (RASI) or even numismatists depending on the site’s nature. They carry mapping paper, colour scales, and other essentials, setting out only after securing the necessary permissions. “We try to connect with a local guide, not just to find the way but also to stay safe from wild animals,” says Katta Srinivas Rao, a Khammam-based government teacher who serves as co-convener of the KTCB. “By exploring one region, we uncover many stories,” he says.

Mr. Rao believes social media has played a pivotal role in creating grassroots historical awareness. “Earlier, people didn’t care much about rock art or inscriptions. Today, they engage with the posts and help us spread the word,” he says.

But there is a downside too. “The real threat isn’t misinformation, it’s erasure,” he warns. “We’re losing historical buildings to unchecked real estate development. Even rock engravings that date back 10,000 years are being vandalised with graffiti. These artworks are windows into the mind of primitive man. Local communities must come forward to protect what remains, so that the next generation inherits more than just stories, they inherit evidence.”

Compelling stories

The volunteers of the KTCB are not just history buffs, they are also invested storytellers. Take Kolipaka Srinivas, a farmer and contract employee with the Telangana electricity department. He accidentally discovered the historical significance of his land five years ago. A native of Nanganoor near Siddipet, Mr. Srinivas recalls being just five when he unearthed terracotta pots, Neolithic beads, and statues on his two-acre farm. “I was thrilled to later learn these belonged to the Satavahana period,” he says.

Since then, he has explored nearly 170 villages, dedicating weekends to documenting hidden heritage. Now an active advocate for preservation, he often brings college students along to spark curiosity and awareness. But he is also realistic. “When I speak to villagers about saving historical sites, they often ask, ‘What do we get out of it?’ Unless the people living in these places take interest, how much can we really achieve?” he says.

From academic papers and books to short videos on their YouTube channel, the KTCB’s mission is rooted in community engagement. Every month, the team hosts a live virtual meet on YouTube, drawing 30 to 90 people who tune in to share and listen to stories of cultural conservation — sometimes discoveries made in their very own backyard. The KTCB has been part of national seminars organised by the RASI and published its research papers in their journals.

“Telangana has 5,000 villages, each with its own history,” says Mr. Hargopal. “But these stories will only come to light if the people who live there help uncover them.” Once the team ascertains the artefacts, the age and type of stone, only a couple of rock tools are brought from the spot. he adds, “We believe in in situ, an archaeological term in Latin meaning ‘in place.’ We feel it is our responsibility to let antiquities stay where they are.”