Koraput, 29th July 2025: For the first time in Odisha’s history, an inscription dating back to the reign of Chhindaka Naga dynasty King Someshwar Deva (1069–1110 AD) has been discovered. The inscription has been successfully deciphered by young epigraphist Bishnumohan Adhikari from Paralakhemundi.
The discovery was made on 1st July 2025 during a visit to the Jeypore Museum by Adhikari along with Sharata Rautray and Himanshu Shekhar Sadangi. The inscription is believed to have originated from Bhairav Singhpur (near Bisingpur in Boiparigumma block).
This 11th-century inscription, written in a mix of Sanskrit and early Odia, refers to King Someshwar Deva, son of the Naga ruler and Queen Gund Mahadevi. It is inscribed in the Nagari script, which was in use in Odisha at the time. The script reflects several stages of early Odia script development.
According to Prof. Raj Kumar Rate, a historian from Khariar College, this is the first known inscription of the Chhindaka Naga dynasty discovered in southern and western Odisha, and the first of its kind from Koraput district.
Earlier, Nala dynasty inscriptions had been found in the undivided Koraput region, now part of Nabarangpur district. Compared to the copperplate records from old Kechela in Koraput, this stone pillar inscription is one of the oldest known records from the area.
Adhikari mentioned that the inscribed pillar likely originated from the Indravati valley region, specifically from the Bhairav Singhpur–Kumuli–Kamata area.
With this discovery, Adhikari has now deciphered 125 inscriptions in total. Renowned historian Om Soni from Sukma, Chhattisgarh, has congratulated him for this significant contribution.