Kotilingala

Kotilingala (also recorded as Kotalingala or Koti Lingala) is a historic village in Velgatur Mandal, Jagtial District, Telangana, situated on the southern (right) bank of the Godavari River, near the confluence with the Peddavagu. The site is one of the most important early-historic archaeological centres in northern Telangana. Archaeological excavations conducted between 1979 and 1983 revealed a large fortified settlement with substantial mud ramparts, brick structures, Buddhist remains including Chaitya Grihas and a Vihara complex, and a large assemblage of coins belonging to pre-Satavahana local rulers and early Satavahana rulers including Chimuka/Simuka. The discovery of these coins played an important role in the study of the origins of the Satavahana dynasty. Some scholars and Telangana educational sources regard Kotilingala as an early or first Satavahana capital, but that identification remains a subject of historical and numismatic debate. The site is also associated with the living Sri Koteswara Siddeshwara Swamy Devasthanam, where local tradition preserves a legend involving Hanuman and two Shiva lingams. The combination of early-historic archaeology, Buddhist remains, ancient coinage, riverine setting and living Hindu worship makes Kotilingala an important heritage destination.

Coins of Chimuka (Simuka) and Early Rulers: Kotilingala first attracted major archaeological attention after villagers recovered a group of early coins from the site's mounds in the late 1970s. The state archaeology department subsequently undertook excavations between 1979 and 1983. Coins recovered from surface collections and excavations include issues attributed to pre-Satavahana rulers such as Gobhada and Samagopa and early Satavahana rulers including Chimuka/Simuka and Satakarni. The coins are made from several metals, including copper, potin, lead and related alloys; silver punch-marked coins are also represented in the wider Kotilingala assemblage.

Coins bearing the Brahmi legend generally read as "Rano Chimuka Satavahanasa" are particularly important because Chimuka/Simuka is identified in traditional dynastic lists as the founder of the Satavahana dynasty. Their discovery at Kotilingala led scholars including V. V. Krishna Sastry and others to argue that the site was an early Satavahana political centre and possibly its first capital. Other interpretations have questioned whether the ruler represented by every Chimuka coin should automatically be equated with the dynastic founder. Therefore, Kotilingala's identification as the original Satavahana capital remains debated.

Mud Fortification & Urban Layout: The archaeological settlement covers approximately 100 acres, with a substantial early-historic mud fortification. Published excavation descriptions record the main fortification at approximately 1054 metres in length and 330 metres in width. Brick structures and prominent mounds resembling bastions were recorded around the fortified settlement. A substantial watchtower-like structure at the south-eastern part of the fortification has also been documented. The site's position beside the Godavari and Peddavagu provided an important setting for settlement, transport and communication.

Riverine Trade: Archaeological evidence from the settlement includes structures interpreted as a wharf or landing facility near the river. This supports the interpretation that the Godavari was important for local and regional transport. The site's extensive coin assemblage and craft-related material also demonstrate its participation in wider economic networks.

The archaeological excavations at Kotilingala revealed significant Buddhist remains belonging to the early-historic occupation of the settlement. Government records specifically identify Chaitya Grihas and a Vihara Complex among the structures unearthed during the 1979–1983 excavations.

Buddhist Stupa Remains: Brick-built Buddhist remains have been recorded at Kotilingala, forming part of the site's early-historic religious landscape. Earlier descriptions have proposed an early date for the Buddhist structures, but the precise construction phases, original height and architectural measurements should be attributed to the excavation report rather than presented as universally established figures. The remains demonstrate that Buddhist religious activity existed alongside the settlement's political, commercial and residential functions.

Vihara & Chaitya Structures: Excavations identified a Vihara complex and Chaitya Grihas. These remains indicate the presence of an organised Buddhist religious community at Kotilingala. Because the published archaeological summaries do not establish all of the detailed measurements sometimes attributed to the site, precise cell counts, room dimensions and architectural reconstructions should not be treated as definitive without consulting the full excavation report.

The Buddhist remains are important within the broader archaeological landscape of northern Telangana, where early Buddhist centres developed along important riverine and inland trade routes. Kotilingala's Buddhist remains should therefore be understood together with its fortified settlement and extensive early coin assemblage.

Pre-Satavahana & Satavahana Issues: Kotilingala is particularly important for its large and varied coin assemblage. Published studies record coins of Gobhada, Samagopa, Narana, Kamvaya/Sirivaya and other pre-Satavahana rulers, together with early Satavahana rulers including Chimuka/Simuka and Satakarni. Coins of later Satavahana rulers have also been reported. The assemblage includes copper, potin, lead and other metal issues, as well as punch-marked coins.

The initial discovery in 1978 involved approximately 100 copper coins collected from the mounds by villagers. Subsequent excavation and surface collections produced a much larger assemblage. One published catalogue records 430 coins from surface and excavation contexts, in addition to coins acquired separately by the archaeology department. A hoard of punch-marked coins was also reported during the excavations. These numbers refer to the wider Kotilingala coin assemblage and should not be described as 100+ coins of Simuka alone.

Minting: The concentration and variety of coins have led some scholars to suggest that Kotilingala may have functioned as an important coin-production or minting centre. However, the existence of a formal mint at the site should be treated as an interpretation rather than an established fact unless supported by specific archaeological evidence.

Trade: The extensive coin assemblage, craft material, beads, pottery and riverine location indicate that Kotilingala participated in regional and wider trade networks. Claims about specific Roman denarii, amphorae or terra sigillata at Kotilingala should not be stated as established facts without citation to the excavation report. The site's importance is already demonstrated by its regional coin circulation and river-based location.

Terracotta & Small Finds: Archaeological work at Kotilingala recovered terracotta objects, pottery, beads, shell bangles and other artefacts. The Government of India has specifically identified terracotta, semi-precious-stone beads and shell bangles among the finds preserved by the Department of Heritage Telangana. These materials provide evidence for the daily life, craft production and cultural practices of the settlement.

Pottery & Industrial Activity: Excavations produced several ceramic traditions, together with iron objects and iron-working evidence. The material assemblage indicates that Kotilingala was more than a political centre: it supported domestic activity, craft production and regional exchange. Northern Telangana archaeological studies have also recorded iron implements from Kotilingala in the context of its early-historic occupation.

Individual artefacts should be attributed to the excavation record rather than automatically interpreted as evidence of particular religious or cultural groups. The coexistence of Buddhist structures, local coinage, craft objects and later religious traditions demonstrates the long and changing history of the site.

The Legend of Two Shiva Lingams: According to local temple tradition, sages associated with the nearby hillock of Munula Gutta wished to establish a Shiva shrine and sent Lord Hanuman to bring a Shiva lingam from Kashi. When Hanuman was delayed, the sages consecrated another lingam. The tradition subsequently associated the two lingams with Hanuman and the sages and holds that worship should first be offered to the lingam brought by Hanuman. This account belongs to the religious and oral tradition of the temple and should not be presented as archaeological evidence.

The temple is an active place of worship and attracts devotees during festivals and other religious occasions, particularly Maha Shivaratri. Local devotional practice also associates the shrine with newly married couples and prayers for family well-being.

Temple & Riverside Setting: The Sri Koteswara Siddeshwara shrine is situated near the Godavari in the wider Kotilingala archaeological landscape. The river and surrounding rocky terrain contribute to the site's present-day pilgrimage and heritage character. During major Godavari religious occasions, including Pushkaram, the wider riverfront can attract increased numbers of pilgrims.

Important: Temple opening hours and festival arrangements can change. The commonly reported schedule is 6:00 AM–12:00 PM and 4:00 PM–8:00 PM, but visitors should confirm current timings locally before travelling.

Kotilingala has long faced conservation concerns because of its position upstream of the Sripada Yellampalli Project and the associated Godavari backwaters. Earlier government and media reports documented concern about water levels reaching low-lying archaeological areas and the potential impact of the reservoir on the site.

The site is currently protected by the Department of Heritage, Telangana. The Government of India stated in 2025 that Kotilingala is not a monument of national importance under the Archaeological Survey of India and that ASI is therefore not responsible for its maintenance. The same government response stated that the Department of Heritage Telangana had conducted the 1979–1983 excavations and preserved the recovered antiquities. It also reported infrastructure work near the adjoining Sri Sundareshwara Swami Temple.

Government records also indicate that no Department of Heritage Telangana funds had been allocated for excavation, preservation and conservation of the archaeological remains at Kotilingala during the five years preceding the 2025 parliamentary response and the current year. The present condition of individual structures and the status of any proposed protective wall should therefore be confirmed locally before travel.

Visitors should not remove bricks, coins, pottery fragments or other material from the site and should avoid climbing or damaging ancient structures.

Visitor Tips – What You Need to Know:

• Wear comfortable walking shoes – the archaeological area includes uneven ground and exposed ancient remains.
• Visit early morning or late afternoon – temperatures are generally more comfortable and the river landscape is easier to enjoy.
• Ask the temple priest or temple authorities about the two-lingam tradition rather than treating the legend as archaeological evidence.
• Do not climb ancient structures unless a clearly designated and currently safe visitor route is provided.
• Photography: Follow site and temple instructions. Ask before photographing restricted areas or the temple sanctum.
• Do not remove or disturb bricks, pottery fragments, coins, stones or other archaeological material.
• During the monsoon and high-water periods, exercise particular caution near the Godavari and reservoir-affected areas.
• Carry water and snacks – visitor facilities near the archaeological site may be limited.
• Combine with Dharmapuri and Kondagattu for a wider Jagtial-region heritage itinerary.

Pro Tip: Ask the temple authorities about the local two-lingam tradition, then explore the archaeological landscape with particular attention to the mud fortification, Buddhist remains and early coin history. The District Archaeological Museum at Karimnagar displays archaeological material recovered from Kotilingala along with finds from other sites in the district. Check current access conditions and river levels before travelling, especially during the monsoon.

Why Visit Kotilingala? – A major early-historic fortified settlement on the Godavari | Extensive mud fortification and surviving archaeological structures | Important pre-Satavahana and early Satavahana coin discoveries, including coins attributed to Chimuka/Simuka | A proposed early Satavahana capital, although the capital identification remains debated | Buddhist remains including Chaitya Grihas and a Vihara complex | Archaeological evidence of pottery, terracotta, iron objects, beads and shell bangles | Riverine setting and structures interpreted as a possible ancient wharf | Sri Koteswara Siddeshwara Swamy Temple with a distinctive local Hanuman two-lingam tradition | Important conservation concerns associated with the Godavari and Sripada Yellampalli Project | Regional heritage connections with Dharmapuri, Kondagattu, Jagtial and Karimnagar.

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