ONGOLE: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found what it says is the earliest epigraphical reference to the name Guntur in three copper plates issued by Eastern Chalukya king Vishnuvardhana-II in 669 CE.
The copper plates, discovered in Pune, refer to Guntur as ‘Kumturu.’ According to ASI Director (Epigraphy) K Munirathnam Reddy, the three-leaf copper plate charter is in the possession of Ameet Lomte of Pune, Maharashtra. Written in Sanskrit using Telugu characters, it was issued by Vishnuvardhana-II in his first regnal year on Magha Shuddha 15, coinciding with a lunar eclipse on January 22, 669 CE.
“The seal of the charter contains a symbol of lotus and crescent with the legend ‘Sri Vishamasiddhi,’ Dr Reddy said.