Alampur (Hatampura)
Shakti Peetha · Navabrahma Temples · Western Gateway to Srisailam
Alampur (ancient Hatampura, Halampura) is a historic temple town in Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana, located on the left bank of the Tungabhadra River at its confluence with the Krishna. Known as Dakshina Kashi (Southern Kashi) and the Western Gateway to Srisailam, Alampur was the spiritual and administrative anchor of the Kanne-300 division. The town houses the Jogulamba Temple, one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas (the upper jaw of Sati fell here), and the Navabrahma temples – nine early Chalukyan Nagara‑style shrines dedicated to Shiva, built between the 7th and 9th centuries CE. Alampur’s strategic location on the Tungabhadra made it a contested frontier for Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Cholas, Kakatiyas, and Vijayanagara. Its inscriptions document temple construction, land grants, tolls, merchant guilds, and military encounters.
1. Origins and Location
2. Genealogy and Rulers (with inscriptions)
Alampur was ruled by a succession of major Deccan dynasties. The following chart presents the dynastic succession, with the figures who have left specific inscriptions at Alampur highlighted in bold.
Detailed Ruler Profiles (with inscriptions)
Relation: Military commander under Satavahana king Pulumavi IV.
Key Inscription: Myakadoni Inscription – mentions him as the Mahasenapati in the Satavahani-hara region, which included the Alampur-Adoni frontier.
Significance: Earliest known official associated with the Alampur region, attesting to Satavahana administrative control.
Relation: Ikshvaku king of Vijayapuri.
Key Inscription: Gurazala Inscription – records Halampura (Alampur) as a recognised administrative unit under his feudatories.
Significance: First epigraphic mention of Alampur by name.
Relation: Nala king; son of Varaharaja.
Achievement: Defeated the Vakatakas and consolidated the Nalavadi-vishaya, which later became the core administrative unit around Alampur under the Chalukyas.
Significance: His conquests established the territorial framework that endured for centuries.
Relation: Chalukya king, son of Pulakeshin II.
Key Inscription: Arkabrahma Temple (Alampur) – records the installation of a Linga by his queen Mahadevi and a land grant of 50 nivartanas to Pishti Sarma.
Significance: Earliest inscription in the Navabrahma complex, demonstrating royal patronage of the site.
Relation: Chalukya king; son of Vikramaditya I.
Key Inscription: Svarga Brahma Temple (Alampur) – records its construction by his son, Yuvaraja Lokaditya (Ela-Arasa).
Significance: The Svarga Brahma temple is considered the finest of the Navabrahma group, showcasing mature Chalukyan architecture.
Relation: Chalukya king; son of Vinayaditya.
Key Inscriptions:
• Prakara Bandha Inscription (704 CE) – records the construction of an enclosure wall by the Saivite teacher Isanacharya.
• Fort Wall Biscriptal (c. 713–715 CE) – a Siddhamatrika and Telugu-Kannada record documenting the same teacher's activities.
Significance: These inscriptions are among the earliest bilingual epigraphs in the region and attest to the flourishing of the Kalamukha Saiva sect.
Relation: Rashtrakuta emperors.
Key Inscriptions: Museum slabs record that the officer Srimara constructed Sun temples at the Uttaresvara complex during the reigns of Govinda II and Govinda III.
Significance: Demonstrates the continuity of royal patronage under the Rashtrakutas and the prominence of Surya worship at Alampur.
Relation: Feudatory under the Kalyani Chalukyas, ruling Ayaje-300.
Key Inscription: 1057 CE (January 19) – records a grant of revenue from Nalkanadu to god Brahmesvara, issued with his toll-officer.
Significance: Part of the detailed administrative records of the Kalyani Chalukya period, showing the integration of local chiefs.
Relation: Feudatory under the Kalyani Chalukyas.
Key Inscription: 1067 CE (December 25) – granted gold from every village in Ayaje-300 for repairs to the Brahmesvara temple.
Significance: Documents the collective responsibility of villages for temple maintenance.
Relation: Minister (Dandanayaka) under the Kalyani Chalukyas.
Key Inscription: 1076 CE (April 9) – remitted perika taxes to Brahmarasi Bhattaraka. Describes Alampur as the Western Gateway (Dwara) of Sri Parvata (Srisailam).
Significance: This inscription provides the famous epithet of Alampur and details the toll structure of the region.
Relation: Kalachuri king of Kalyani.
Key Inscription: 1182 CE – records a gift from the Ayyavole-500 guild (nanadesis and mahanadu) assembled at Dakshina-Varanasi (Alampur) to Sthanapati Kesavarasi.
Significance: Demonstrates the continued importance of Alampur as a mercantile centre under the Kalachuris.
Relation: Queen of the Kakatiya empire.
Key Inscription: 1286 CE – records a land grant to maintain a sattra (feeding house) at Alampur.
Significance: Shows the Kakatiya commitment to religious and charitable institutions at this important pilgrimage site.
Relation: Kakatiya king.
Key Inscription: 11 September 1299 CE – records a land grant of 5 martars to Brahmesvaradeva by Pedamam Maldevaraju and other mahasthanadhipatis, with the consent of the merchant guild (Samasta-Pekkandru).
Significance: One of the latest Kakatiya records at Alampur, showing cooperation between the state and merchant guilds.
Relation: Emperor of Vijayanagara.
Key Inscription: 1521 CE (June 16) – his subordinate, Gauradanayamkara Basavapayya (governor of Alampur-sime), granted several villages to God Yogananda Narasimha to celebrate the king's victory at Raichur.
Significance: Demonstrates Vijayanagara patronage of both Saiva and Vaishnava traditions at Alampur.
3. Administration
Alampur administered the Kanne-300 and Ayaje-300 units under the Kollipake-7000 realm. Earlier, it was the heart of Nalavadi-vishaya (under Nalas and Chalukyas). The town was also the seat of the Mahasthanadhipatis (chief pontiffs) of the Brahmesvara temple.
Inscriptions record detailed toll lists (Vadda-ravula of the four nadus) and taxes such as perika, singanadamu, and land revenue. The presence of the Ayyavole-500 guild indicates organised commercial taxation and trade regulation.
4. Economy and Trade
5. Society
6. Art and Culture
The nine temples (Bala, Kumara, Arka, Vishwa, Surya, Vira, Garuda, Swarga, Taraka) follow a sandhara plan with Rekha Nagara shikharas. Pillars are lathe‑turned (square‑octagonal‑circular). The complex is arranged as a Vastu Purusha Mandala with equinox sunrise alignment.
Outer walls feature devakoshthas with Nataraja, Lakulisa, Ardhanarishvara, Dakshinamurti. Doorjambs show Ganga‑Yamuna and Kirtimukha. The Vishwa Brahma temple depicts scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
7. Foreign Relations
8. Achievements and Legacy
• The Navabrahma temples represent the earliest structural temples in Telangana and a landmark of Chalukyan Nagara style.
• The astronomical alignment of the Bala Brahma and Surya Brahma temples to the equinox sun demonstrates sophisticated scientific knowledge.
• Over 30 inscriptions from Alampur document nearly 900 years of continuous history (7th–16th c.).
• They provide the first epigraphic mention of the Komati community (859 CE), detailed toll records, and the earliest reference to Kurnool (1107 CE).
• As the 5th Shakti Peetha, Alampur remains a living pilgrimage centre.
• The temple complex has been maintained through the Vijayanagara period and into the modern era, with the Jogulamba temple reconstructed in 2005 after its destruction in 1390 CE.
9. Chronology, Dating and Inscriptions
The history of Alampur is reconstructed from a rich corpus of epigraphic records. Below are the key inscriptions arranged by period.
Myakadoni Inscription
Myakadoni (near Alampur).
c. 3rd century CE (Satavahana).
Mentions Mahasenapati Skandanaga under Pulumavi IV in the Satavahani-hara region, covering the Alampur-Adoni frontier.
Gurazala Inscription
Gurazala (near Alampur).
c. 3rd–4th century CE (Ikshvaku).
Records Halampura (Alampur) during the reign of king Rudra Purushadatta, proving Alampur was a recognised administrative unit under Ikshvaku feudatories.
Arkabrahma Temple Inscription
Arkabrahma temple, Alampur.
7th century CE (Vikramaditya I).
Records the installation of a Linga by Queen Mahadevi and a gift of 50 nivartanas of land in Vaddamanu to Pishti Sarma.
Svarga Brahma Temple Inscription
Svarga Brahma temple, Alampur.
c. 681–696 CE (Vinayaditya).
Records the construction of the temple by Yuvaraja Lokaditya (Ela-Arasa), son of Vinayaditya and brother of Vijayaditya.
Prakara Bandha Inscription
Alampur fort wall / temple enclosure.
704 CE (Vijayaditya).
Records the construction of an enclosure wall by Isanacharya, a pontiff of the Kalamukha sect.
Fort Wall Biscriptal Inscription
Southern fort wall / Devadroni, Alampur.
c. 713–715 CE (Vijayaditya).
A biscriptal record in Siddhamatrika and Telugu-Kannada scripts, documenting the construction of a prakara by the same teacher Isanacharya.
Uttaresvara Sun Temple Inscriptions
Alampur Museum (original site: Uttaresvara complex).
c. 773–814 CE (Rashtrakuta).
Records the construction of Sun temples by Srimara for the prosperity of Govinda II and Govinda III.
Pragatore Inscription
Alampur (Pragatore).
859 CE (Rashtrakuta).
Grant by ratti bhataralu to god Lakulisvara. First epigraphic mention of the Komati merchant community.
Pebberi Hero Stone
Alampur Museum.
1028 CE (Kalyani Chalukya).
Records the death of warrior Bikkenna, who died piercing an elephant in battle under Jayasimha II against Chola forces.
Irugana Chola Grant (1057 CE)
Alampur.
19 January 1057 CE.
Records the grant of revenue from Nalkanadu to god Brahmesvara by Irugana Chola Maharaja and his toll-officer.
Chiddana Chola Grant (1067 CE)
Alampur.
25 December 1067 CE.
Records the grant of gold from every village in Ayaje-300 for temple repairs by Chiddana Chola Maharaja.
Dandanayaka Naranayya Inscription (1076 CE)
Alampur.
9 April 1076 CE.
Minister Naranayya remitted perika taxes to Brahmarasi Bhattaraka. Describes Alampur as the Western Gateway (Dwara) of Sri Parvata (Srisailam).
Kalachuri Inscription (1182 CE)
Alampur.
1182 CE (Ahavamalla).
Records a gift from the Ayyavole-500 guild (nanadesis and mahanadu) assembled at Dakshina-Varanasi (Alampur) to Sthanapati Kesavarasi.
Kakatiya Grant (1299 CE)
Alampur.
11 September 1299 CE (Prataparudra).
Records a land grant of 5 martars to Brahmesvaradeva by Pedamam Maldevaraju and other mahasthanadhipatis, with the consent of the merchant guild Samasta-Pekkandru.
Vijayanagara Grant (1521 CE)
Alampur.
16 June 1521 CE (Krishnadevaraya).
Records the grant of several villages to God Yogananda Narasimha by Gauradanayamkara Basavapayya (governor of Alampur-sime) to celebrate the king's victory at Raichur.
Summary Timeline of Key Events
c. 3rd–4th c. CE – Ikshvaku king Rudra Purushadatta mentions Halampura.
c. 430–450 CE – Nala king Bhavadatta-varman consolidates Nalavadi-vishaya.
611–753 CE – Badami Chalukya rule; Navabrahma temples built (c. 655–696 CE).
704 CE – Vijayaditya commissions temple enclosure wall by Isanacharya.
753–973 CE – Rashtrakuta rule; Srimara constructs Sun temples; 859 CE Komati inscription.
1003–1005 CE – Chola occupation of Kanne-300 and Ayaje-300.
1028 CE – Battle of Pebberi; hero stone erected.
1051–1163 CE – Kalyani Chalukya and Telugu Chola feudatories; detailed toll and land records (1057, 1067, 1076 CE).
1182 CE – Ayyavole-500 guild active at Dakshina-Varanasi.
1286 CE – Land grant under Rudramadevi for a feeding house.
1299 CE – Grant by merchant guild and local chiefs under Prataparudra.
1390 CE – Jogulamba temple destroyed by Bahamani rulers.
1521 CE – Krishnadevaraya’s subordinate grants villages for Raichur victory.
2005 CE – Jogulamba temple reconstructed.
10. Successor States and Vassals
- Myakadoni Inscription – Satavahana Mahasenapati Skandanaga.
- Gurazala Inscription – Ikshvaku king Rudra Purushadatta mentions Halampura.
- Arkabrahma Temple Inscription (7th c.) – Queen Mahadevi’s linga installation and land grant.
- Svarga Brahma Inscription (c. 681–696 CE) – Construction by Yuvaraja Lokaditya.
- Prakara Bandha Inscription (704 CE) – Enclosure wall by Isanacharya.
- Fort Wall Biscriptal (c. 713–715 CE) – Siddhamatrika and Telugu-Kannada record.
- Uttaresvara Sun Temple Inscriptions (c. 773–814 CE) – Srimara's constructions under Govinda II and Govinda III.
- Pragatore Inscription (859 CE) – First epigraphic mention of Komati merchants.
- Pebberi Hero Stone (1028 CE) – Records the battle and death of warrior Bikkenna.
- Irugana Chola Grant (1057 CE) – Revenue grant to Brahmesvara temple.
- Chiddana Chola Grant (1067 CE) – Temple repair fund from Ayaje-300.
- Dandanayaka Naranayya Inscription (1076 CE) – Toll records and Alampur as Western Gateway to Srisailam.
- Kalachuri Inscription (1182 CE) – Ayyavole-500 guild at Dakshina-Varanasi.
- Kakatiya Grant (1299 CE) – Land grant to Brahmesvaradeva under Prataparudra.
- Vijayanagara Grant (1521 CE) – Patronage by Krishnadevaraya’s subordinate Basavapayya.
- Epigraphia Indica, Volumes on Alampur inscriptions.
- Cousens, Henry (1926). The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts. ASI.
- Telangana State Archaeology (2016). Excavations and Surveys in Jogulamba Gadwal District.
Alampur remains one of the most enduring sacred landscapes of the Deccan – a place where religious devotion, architectural innovation, and political ambition converged for over a millennium. Its temples and inscriptions continue to reveal the layered history of a site that was both a spiritual beacon and a strategic frontier.