World Heritage Day: KCR says Mankind existed in Telangana over 45,000 years ago

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Sri K. Chandrashekhar Rao has said that the land of Telangana possesses a glorious heritage of every historical chapter from the time of the primitive man to the modern era.

On the occasion of "World Heritage Day" on April 18, KCR remembered the rich historical importance Telangana State has been endowed with.

The Chief Minister said that the emergence of Asmaka Mahajanapatham, the only one in Telangana in Southern India among the Shodasha (16) Mahajanapathams that originated in ancient India, as the centre of Bodhan (ancient Paudhanya Puram) signified the great age and pride of Telangana region to the world.

KCR said that the regimes from Satavahana dynasty to Asaf Jahi had enriched Telangana.

The diverse architectural styles, sculptures, armoury , jewellery, cave paintings, toys, buildings, cultural traditions, customs, language, slang, literature and arts comprised the wealth of heritage of Telangana state.

KCR said that the ancient human paintings found in Pandavula Gutta in today's Jayashankar Bhupalpally district were evidence of the existence of human beings on Telangana soil 45,000 years ago.

The Chief Minister said that Jain and Buddhist monasteries, Ramappa Temple, Veyistambhala Gudi ( 1000 pillars temple), Orugallu fort, Bhuvanagiri fort, Golconda fort, Pandavula Gutta, Padmakshi Gutta, Medak Church, Mecca Masjid, Charminar and many other great buildings and natural structures displayed the historical and hereditary glory, diversity and uniqueness of Telangana.

The Chief Minister said that the inclusion of the famous Ramappa temple in Palampeta village of Mulugu district, which was built during the Kakatiya period, in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a matter of pride for the people of Telangana and the country.

Apart from this, the CM said that Telangana was winning many national and international awards such as UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Award for Domakonda fort and UNESCO Award for Metlabavi ( Step well ) in Qutubshahi Tombs complex.

He said that, as part of the conservation of heritage structures after the formation of a separate state, the government was carrying out repairs and development works to many historical buildings and ancient structures along with the modernization of Khila Warangal fort, repairs to great ancient buildings like Charminar, Mecca Masjid, development works of Mozamjahi market and Monda market.

KCR said that the state government had recently restored six more step wells, including the 300-year-old Bansilal Peta step well and more wells will be identified and revived in the coming days .

The government was doing its best to revive the Telangana heritage and restore the past glory which was neglected during the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh rule and gift them to the future generations. The CM lauded the efforts of the State Department of Archeology and Cultural Tourism in this direction. KCR commended the voluntary efforts of Telangana historians and intellectuals in the preservation of the Telangana heritage.