Dhulikatta

Dhulikatta also spelled Doolikatta, is a historic village in Eligaid Mandal, Peddapalli District, Telangana, about 30 km from Karimnagar. The name Dhulikatta is generally understood as a form of Dhulikota, meaning "mud fort". The site is identified by the Peddapalli District administration with one of the thirty walled cities described in accounts derived from the Greek ambassador Megasthenes. Archaeological excavations conducted by the Department of Archaeology and Museums of the former Government of Andhra Pradesh from the 1970s revealed a fortified early-historic settlement and a major Buddhist stupa complex dating from around the 2nd century BCE into the early centuries CE. The remains include a large Mahastupa decorated with 47 carved limestone ayaka slabs, Buddhist architectural remains, mud fortification walls, habitation structures, wells, pottery, beads, terracotta objects, iron objects, coins and other artefacts. A notable bronze mother-and-child figure is also associated with the site. Dhulikatta is an important archaeological centre for understanding the Satavahana-period history and Buddhist heritage of northern Telangana.

Association with the 30 Walled Cities of Megasthenes: The Peddapalli District administration identifies Dhulikatta as one of the 30 walled cities mentioned by Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador associated with the Mauryan court. The identification is based on the archaeological evidence for a substantial fortified settlement at Dhulikatta and historical interpretations of the surviving accounts of Indica. Because the surviving fragments of Indica do not explicitly name Dhulikatta, it is more accurate to describe the site as identified with one of the fortified cities rather than as a city directly named by Megasthenes.

Satavahana Urban Centre & Trade: Dhulikatta was an important early-historic settlement associated with the Satavahana period. Excavations and archaeological studies have produced Satavahana coins, Roman coins, pottery, beads and other material associated with craft production and exchange. Roman material from Dhulikatta forms part of the wider evidence for commercial connections between the Deccan and the Roman world during the early centuries CE. A coin-mould tradition is also reported from the archaeological evidence, although it is safer to describe this as evidence suggestive of local coin production rather than as definitive proof of a royal mint.

The principal Buddhist monument at Dhulikatta is a large brick stupa associated with the fortified early-historic settlement. The Peddapalli District administration records a 2nd-century BCE Brahmi inscription on one of the stupa slabs. The stupa underwent constructional development, including a later enlargement of its drum to approximately 36 metres in diameter.

The Mahastupa – 47 Limestone Ayaka Slabs & Muchalinda Nāga: The stupa was decorated with 47 carved limestone ayaka slabs. Archaeological descriptions record representations including the Muchalinda Nāga, a five-hooded serpent associated with the Buddhist story of the naga sheltering the Buddha, together with other Buddhist symbols and narrative or devotional imagery. Some slabs bear Brahmi inscriptions, including a donation record palaeographically dated to the 2nd century BCE.

Symbolic Representation of Buddha: The Dhulikatta stupa belongs to the early Buddhist artistic tradition in which Buddha was represented symbolically rather than in anthropomorphic form. The Peddapalli District administration specifically notes symbols including the chatra, padukas or Buddhapadas, a throne with auspicious symbolism, and a pillar/fire motif. The ayaka slabs also include Buddhist imagery such as the Muchalinda Nāga, Bodhi tree and other sacred symbols.

Stupa Architecture: The monument included a circular drum, a dome or anda, a pradakshinapatha and ayaka platforms projecting at the cardinal directions. Excavations revealed remains of the harmika and chatravali. During a later constructional phase, the drum was enlarged to approximately 36 metres in diameter and was constructed largely with brick.

The Dhulikota (Mud Fort): One of the defining features of the site is its mud fortification surrounding the early-historic habitation. The village name Dhulikatta is generally interpreted as deriving from Dhulikota, meaning a mud fort. Archaeological excavations exposed sections of the fortification and associated brick structures, demonstrating that the settlement was substantially fortified.

Residential & Industrial Evidence: Excavations within and around the fortified settlement revealed structural remains, habitation deposits, pottery, beads, iron objects and other materials associated with everyday life and craft activity. The archaeological evidence demonstrates that Dhulikatta was more than an isolated religious monument: it formed part of a substantial early-historic settlement associated with the Satavahana period.

Bronze Mother-and-Child Figure: A notable find associated with Dhulikatta is a bronze mother-and-child figure, described in archaeological literature as a mother-goddess or fertility-related figure and identified in some museum and scholarly discussions with Hariti, the protective mother figure associated with Buddhism. Because published sources differ in their interpretation and dating, the figure is best described cautiously as an early-historic mother-and-child or mother-goddess figure associated with Dhulikatta.

Roman & Satavahana Coins – Evidence of Wider Exchange: Excavations and archaeological studies have recovered Satavahana coins and Roman coins from Dhulikatta. The presence of Roman material alongside indigenous coinage forms part of the wider evidence for long-distance commercial connections between the Deccan and the Roman world during the early centuries CE. Specific identifications of individual Roman emperors should be made only where supported by the excavation catalogue.

Beads, Terracotta, Pottery & Other Finds: Archaeological material from Dhulikatta includes beads, pottery, terracotta objects, bangle pieces, iron objects and other early-historic artefacts. The Karimnagar archaeological museum currently identifies material from Dhulikatta and nearby Satavahana sites among its collections, including bricks, pottery, beads, bangle pieces, terracotta objects and iron pieces. Buddhist limestone panels from Dhulikatta are also represented in Telangana's archaeological museum collections.

Dhulikatta has long been regarded as an important archaeological site, but published reports have also documented concerns about its protection and accessibility. Some sculptural material from the stupa has been removed from the original site and is preserved in museums, including the Karimnagar archaeological museum. Reports have also drawn attention to damage and inadequate protection of portions of the archaeological remains.

Because the condition of archaeological sites and visitor facilities can change, current claims about access, security, vandalism and conservation should be confirmed locally before visiting. The site's archaeological importance makes continued protection, documentation and conservation of the stupa, fortification and associated remains particularly important.

Visitor Tips – What You Need to Know:

• Carry water and snacks – visitor facilities around the archaeological site may be limited.
• Wear sturdy shoes – archaeological remains and surrounding ground can be uneven.
• Start early – morning visits are generally more comfortable, particularly outside winter.
• Check road conditions after rains – some approach sections may become muddy.
• Follow local photography rules – comply with any restrictions posted at the site or museum.
• Do not touch, move or remove archaeological material – sculptural fragments and other remains should be left undisturbed.
• Combine with Kotilingala and the Karimnagar archaeological museum – useful for understanding the wider Satavahana archaeological landscape.
• Respect agricultural land around the archaeological remains and do not enter private fields without permission.

Pro Tip: Dhulikatta is best understood together with the other early-historic sites of the former Karimnagar region. After visiting the stupa and fortification, consider the Karimnagar archaeological museum, where archaeological material from Dhulikatta and related Satavahana sites is preserved. Museum displays include Dhulikatta Buddhist limestone panels as well as pottery, beads, terracotta objects, bangle pieces and iron objects from the region.

Why Visit Dhulikatta? – An important fortified early-historic settlement associated with the Satavahana period | Identified by the Peddapalli District administration with one of the 30 walled cities associated with Megasthenes | A major Buddhist stupa with 47 carved limestone ayaka slabs | Muchalinda Nāga and other early Buddhist symbolic representations | Brahmi inscriptions palaeographically dated to the 2nd century BCE | Roman and Satavahana coin finds providing evidence of wider commercial connections | A notable bronze mother-and-child figure associated with the early-historic site | Archaeological material preserved in the Karimnagar museum | Approximately 30 km from Karimnagar and 25 km from Peddapalli | A significant archaeological heritage site requiring continued protection and conservation.

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