A quiet revolution in historic storytelling is underway in Telangana. Over the previous 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, college students, and lecturers — on a regular basis historical past fanatics who are unearthing remnants of the area’s previous, usually hidden in plain sight.
“This is my office,” quips 68-year-old Sriramoju Hargopal, gesturing to his laptop computer at his house in Tellapur, Hyderabad. Surrounded by stacks of books, the retired Telugu trainer and KTCB convener spends his days poring over pictures and area studies despatched in by volunteers.
A 26-foot menhir at Appaji Peta in Nalgonda and, proper, a Boudha stupam from the sixth century BC that had been unearthed by members of this group.
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His ardour for the previous started with a narrative instructed by his grandfather. “He once explained how our village, Alair in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana, got its name,” Mr. Hargopal remembers. “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 story stayed with him, igniting a lifelong curiosity about native histories and the invisible threads that join reminiscence, fantasy, and place.
Sriramoju Hargopal at Taramati Baradari in Hyderabad.
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In 1999, whereas working as a authorities college trainer, Mr. Hargopal discovered an unlikely kindred spirit in his colleague Viruvanti Gopalakrishna, the senior-most trainer on the college and a famous historian, now 90 years outdated. The two started travelling collectively throughout Telangana’s villages, mapping outdated temples, prehistoric websites, and long-forgotten inscriptions. Sometimes, they had been joined by a former scholar or a fellow trainer. Their discoveries discovered their manner into round 20 self-published books — quiet testaments to their relentless curiosity.
The journey didn’t cease even after Mr. Hargopal’s retirement in 2013. Over the final decade, what started as a person ardour advanced right into a collective motion. Around 125 volunteers — unusual individuals from throughout professions — have come collectively below the casual banner of the KTCB to discover the histories embedded in their very own villages. Though not formally registered, the group has grown steadily, powered by single and repeated contributions from its members, every including a thread to Telangana’s wealthy historic tapestry.
How the group works
(from left) Ardhanareeshwara on Devunigutta in Kothuru and fossil discovered in Kerameri
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Once a villager spots one thing distinctive — a centuries-old sculpture, an uncommon inscription, or remnants of a buried construction — she or he sends pictures or movies to a WhatsApp group. Back in Tellapur, Mr. Hargopal, who can be an iconographer, begins decoding the visuals, usually referencing historic texts or consulting specialists like archaeologists Emani Sivanagi Reddy and Damaraju Surya Kumar.
If the discover is promising, the KTCB crew will get to work: drawing up a plan of motion and reaching out to collaborators just like the Rock Art Society of India (RASI) and even numismatists relying on the positioning’s nature. They carry mapping paper, color scales, and different necessities, setting out solely after securing the mandatory 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 authorities trainer who serves as co-convener of the KTCB. “By exploring one region, we uncover many stories,” he says.
Mr. Rao believes social media has performed a pivotal function in creating grassroots historic consciousness. “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’s a draw back 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 tales
Terracotta pots unearthed by Kolipaka Srinivas.
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The volunteers of the KTCB are not simply historical past buffs, they are additionally invested storytellers. Take Kolipaka Srinivas, a farmer and contract worker with the Telangana electrical energy division. He unintentionally found the historic significance of his land 5 years in the past. A local of Nanganoor close to Siddipet, Mr. Srinivas remembers being simply 5 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 almost 170 villages, dedicating weekends to documenting hidden heritage. Now an energetic advocate for preservation, he usually brings school college students alongside to spark curiosity and consciousness. But he’s additionally practical. “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 educational papers and books to brief movies on their YouTube channel, the KTCB’s mission is rooted in group engagement. Every month, the crew hosts a reside digital meet on YouTube, drawing 30 to 90 individuals who tune in to share and take heed to tales of cultural conservation — typically discoveries made in their very personal yard. The KTCB has been a part of nationwide seminars organised by the RASI and revealed its analysis papers in their journals.
Inscription discovered at China kandukur
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“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 crew ascertains the artefacts, the age and kind of stone, solely a few rock instruments are introduced from the spot. he provides, “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.”
Published – August 07, 2025 10:03 pm IST
