TORCH calls for ASI recognition of Telangana’s neglected heritage

TORCH team led by its founder Aravind Arya Pakide submitting a memorandum to Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy in Hyderabad on Sunday (December 15).

The Team of Research on Culture and Heritage (TORCH) has expressed concerns over the neglect of Telangana’s historical and cultural sites by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

During a meeting with Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, in Hyderabad on Sunday (December 15), TORCH submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting the disparity in heritage site recognition among States and underscoring the urgent need to protect Telangana’s legacy.

Speaking to The Hindu, TORCH founder Arvind Arya Pakide noted that while Andhra Pradesh has over 130 ASI-protected monuments, Telangana has only eight. Neighbouring Chhattisgarh fares better, with more than 200 sites under ASI protection. This imbalance, Mr. Pakide argued, undermines Telangana’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

“We have urged the Minister to address the issue by taking steps to recognise more sites in the State. The Telangana government has identified nearly 70 sites with heritage potential and has sought ASI protection for them. Among these is the Chandravelli Temple in Manthani Mandal of Peddapalli district, a Kakatiya-era monument in dire need of restoration,” Mr. Pakide said. He also highlighted Telangana’s unique biodiversity, including fossils dating back millions of years, and proposed the establishment of a fossil park in the State to safeguard these ancient remains.

Chandravelli temple in Manthani Mandal of Peddapalli district.

TORCH underscored the importance of several key sites deserving ASI attention. These include the prehistoric twin caves in Kacharajupally, known for their distinctive green interiors, and the megalithic dolmen burials at Dameravai in Mulugu district, which date back to 1500–600 BCE and provide valuable insights into ancient funeral practices. Additionally, the 13th–14th-century Pratapagiri Fort in Mahadevpur Mandal of Peddapalli district, situated atop a forested hill, and the rock-cut cells of Mogilicherla — originally Jain ascetic caves later modified with Shaivite carvings — reflect the region’s diverse cultural and religious history.

Megalithic burial site at Damaravai village of SS Tadvai Mandal in Mulugu district.

Mr. Pakide said that Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy had assured the TORCH team of his commitment to supporting the preservation of Telangana’s heritage.