Alampur: Exploring the Educational Heritage Beyond theArchitectural Splendour
- CIKS Anaadi
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
In her third and final piece as part of a series on Alampur in Telangana, India, CIKS fellow Dasi Yoga Rakshitha explores the educational history of the Alampur site, rounding up her fieldwork, documentation, reflections and writings on an important site in a myriad of ways.
Introduction
Temples in ancient India had a multifunctional role beyond mere places of worship. The temples were the center of various cultural, educational, economic, and social values and played an integral role in people's day-to-day lives. The aforementioned values associated with these magnificent architectural structures, along with the activities surrounding them, bring in people from across various parts. With the passage of time, some of these temples and the settlements in the vicinity evolved into urban centers. Unfortunately, only a handful of temples could still retain these primordial functions after the destruction caused to these centers during wars and invasions.
Epigraphical Sources & Interpretations
Alampur in the Jogulamba Gadwal district of Telangana can be considered one such center, supported by historical evidence. It boasts the architectural red sandstone temples of the Nava Brahma temple complex dating back to the 7th century C.E., during the period of Chalukyas of Badami. The town is regarded as a holy center as it is also home to one of the Astadasha Shakti Peethas, Goddess Jogulamba temple.
Though in the present day, the town looks sparsely populated and has limited transportation options, it was once a vibrant hub for education, trade, and other social activities. The inscription of Iparumkal of Kollapur mentions a grant given by King Vikramaditya I (Murthy. N. S., Naidu. P., 2003, Vol I, p. 3) as a part of Guru Dakshina to Sudarasanacharya on king's Sivamandaladiksha. This significant epigraphical record marks the king's acceptance of Shaivism, which subsequently resulted in increased patronage for activities associated with Shaivism. As per Dr. Rajendra Prasad, this inscription provides further insights into the renowned Shaivite sects, Pasupata, Kalamukha, and Kapalika, which thrived in the region (Prasad, B R, 2003, p.21).
The inscription of a grant made by Iruguna Choda found in Itikyalapadu near Alampur, presently erected in the Alampur museum, states that he granted land for the maintenance of Kalamukha Matha of Siddha Somesvara in Alampur (Murthy. N. S., Naidu. P., 2003, Vol I, p. 286). Additionally, another inscription found on a pillar in the Alampur museum mentions a Saivite teacher, Lokabharana Pandita, who received a land grant for imparting education and maintenance of a lower garden (Murthy. N. S., Naidu. P., 2003, Vol I, p. 97). Epigraphical sources of Mahbubnagar volumes mention various Panditas (scholars) and Sthandaipatis such as Brahmarasi Bhattaraka, Vitaranendra Rasi Pandita, Dharanindra Rasi Pandita, and others. Interestingly, the Alampur museum features sculptures of individuals resembling sages, labeled as Sthanadhipatis in Alampur (Murthy. N. S., Naidu. P., 2003, Vol I). Dr. Rajendra Prasad states that these Sthandipatis played a significant role in imparting education, worship, temple management, and offering sustenance to ascetics (Prasad, B R, 2003, p. 23).
The aforementioned evidence of inscriptions and artefacts hints at Alampur being one of the educational centers during the ancient period, supported by the patronage of kings, local administrators, and other philanthropists who recognized the value of education. They actively promoted educational activities through scholarships and grants to the mathas.
Learnings from Sculptural Panels
In the temples of Alampur, Papanasi (Papavinasi), and Sangamesvara, there are vivid and intricate carvings representing the narratives from various Puranas, Mahabharata, and Ramayana. Beyond being spiritual and literary masterpieces, these texts have been instrumental in shaping the culture and the guiding values of daily life in ancient Indian families. Understanding the philosophy and wisdom that these texts embody was also fundamental to the ancient Indian education and pedagogy, which was passed on from one generation to the other through Guru Shishya Parampara, i.e., through oral traditions. These sculptural panels in the temple and the morals associated with these stories foster inclusive learning for all members of the society, as the storytelling approach facilitates easy understanding of complex ideas.
A Hub for Trade & Education
Alampur, in the ancient days, was known as Alampuru, Anampura, and Hatampura (Sarma. M, 1972, p. 52). The 'Pura' or 'Puram' is generally added as a suffix to the name of the places of trade and commercial centers. From the inscriptions on the pillar of the Suryanarayana Temple in Alampur dating back to the reigning period of Ahavamalla of the Kalachuri dynasty, it can be understood that this town was earlier a thriving business center, along with the other centers mentioned (Murthy. N. S., Naidu. P., 2003, Vol I, p. 282).
As per an article by Professor Renu Thakur, 'Pura' was, in general, used for a fort town, but it was also interchangeably used with military, commercial, and capital towns (Thakur, 1994, p. 71) She also mentions an intriguing aspect about the villages that were established for educational purposes (Thakur, 1994, p. 74). These villages had fortifications and featured settlements along with temples. It is interesting to note that the temple complex of Navabrahma Temple in Alampur is located inside a fortification. The town and the temples are located on the Western bank of the Tungabhadra River. This might have brought in various merchants, ascetics, and myriad groups of people, turning this location into a hub for trade and educational activities.
Conclusion
Temples of Alampur stand as a living example of their multifaceted role in promoting educational activities, trade, and cultural and social development. Epigraphical evidence emphasizes various dynasties that ruled this region and their patronage for social endeavors. These sources of information highlight the legacy of these ancient sacred sites and their importance in the dissemination of knowledge and shaping the region's cultural landscape. While many visitors are stunned by the impressive architecture, there is limited awareness and understanding of the educational and social values associated with these heritage sites. Beyond the spiritual and visual appeal, understanding the valuable insights from this culturally vibrant landscape is essential to appreciate the intangible aspects of community interactions and social dynamics. This understanding can deepen a visitor's connection to the place and enhance the overall experience.
Credits
I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Srinivasulu and for sourcing the
material for reference, and Dr. Surya Kumar for his invaluable insights.
References
1. Prasad B R (1967). The chalukyan architecture of Mahabubnagar district.
2. Radhakrishna Sarma, M. (1972). Temples of Telingāṇa: the architecture, iconography,
and sculpture of the Cāḷukya and Kākatīya temples.
3. Ramachandra Murthy, N. S., Jogi Naidu, P., & Andhra Pradesh (India). Department of
Archaeology and Museums. (2003). Inscriptions of Andhra Pradesh : Mahabūbnagar
District. Dept. of Archaeology and Museums, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh Vol I.
4. Urban hierarchies, typologies and classification in early medieval India: c. 750-1200 on JSTOR, April 1994, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 61-76 (n.d.). www.jstor.org.
This blog has been created as part of the CIKS Summer Fellowship 2024. Each fellow will share a series of blog posts summarizing their projects from the fellowship. Keep an eye out for the exciting work the fellows are doing.
About the Author: Yoga Rakshitha
Rakshitha is a graduate in the field of Life Sciences (Microbiology, Genetics, Chemistry). She has keen interest in Indian Heritage, Culture, Folklore, Ancient Indian Knowledge Systems,and Traditions, with a focus on Temple Architecture, Iconography and Ancient Indian history. She is also an incoming student at the Center for Heritage Management for the Masters program in Heritage Management at Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
