Jain temple pillars found in Papanna fort
Pillars believed to be from the Jain temples of the Rastrakuta period in the eighth century were discovered in the walls of Khilashapur fort in Raghunathapally of Jangaon district.
Local historian Reddy Rathnakar Reddy noticed the pillars in the debris of the stone fortification after a part of it collapsed due to heavy rains last year. The fort was built by Sarvai Papanna in the 18th century.
“During one of my recent visits to the Buruju (stone tower), I observed
the debris of the collapsed wall on the Sajjala Gummi side. The pillars and architecture indicating Jainism give historical evidence of
a Jain temple dating back to the time of the Rashtrakutas,” the historian said.
Broken parts of wheatcoloured stone pillars with carvings of defaced human figures, two lion faces and an entrance gate with an urn and an elephant sculpture were found among other temple fragments. These structures indicate artistry of the day.
“There are small pillars vertically above the entrance gate where the urn is located. In areas where it is difficult to chisel, lotus shapes were carved. The art of miniature sculpture culminated in the reign of the later Kakatiyas,” Reddy explained.
The researcher has previously found an inscription with a sculpture of a
Jain Tirthankar in Sajjala Gummi and several pillars in the walls of the fort towers. He said more information would if revealed if the inscription is decoded.
In the corner to the right of the fort gate is a stone tunnel that seems to be leading underground but has been closed with mud. It is expected to be a bunker. The fortification is built using lime and mortar along with stones.
Ratnakar Reddy appealed to the archaeological department to set these pillars aside without using them in the reconstruction of the tower and use them to further research.