The Archaeological Survey of India’s epigraphy wing in Mysuru found three Telugu inscriptions on the walls of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.

A team of experts led by ASI director (epigraphy) K Muniratnam Reddy deciphered 34 inscriptions, including the three in Telugu, and submitted a report on the existence of Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Muniratnam told TOI that one of the inscriptions, dating back to the 17th century, clearly mentioned names of individuals like Mallana Bhatlu, son of Narayana Bhatlu.

“It is interesting to note that Narayana Bhatlu is a Telugu Brahmin who supervised the construction of Kashi Viswanatha temple in 1585. It is said that Hussain Sharqi Sultan of Jaunpur (1458-1505) ordered the demolition of Kashi Viswanatha temple in the 15th century. The temple was reconstructed in 1585. Raja Todarmal is said to have asked Narayana Bhatlu, an expert from south India, to supervise the temple’s construction. The present inscription supports the above fact,” Muniratnam explained.

“This inscription is engraved on a wall of Gyanvapi mosque and it written in Telugu language. Though it is damaged and incomplete, it mentions Mallana Bhatlu and Narayana Bhatlu,” the ASI director said.

The second Telugu inscription, which was found inside the mosque, made a mention of a ‘govi’. Govis are shepherds.

The third inscription, dating back to the 15th century, was found by the ASI experts at the main entrance on the northern side of the mosque. It has 14 lines, which are completely worn-out. “They are damaged. They seem to record some gift for burying perpetual lamps. Other details are lost,” said an expert.

Apart from Telugu, the inscriptions were in Kannada, Devanagari and Tamil languages. The ASI epigraphy wing had earlier found a Sanskrit inscription from Ayodhya.

“This fragmentary inscription is engraved on a slab and was found during levelling of the site in Ayodhya. It is written in Sanskrit language and Nagari characters of about 12th-13th century. It seems to record the obeisance to Lord Ram by a person named Napala Kama,” Muniratnam added.