Hero Stones or Veeragallu of Telangana

Hero stones, also known as Veeragallu, are a type of memorial stone that are commonly found in the Telugu region of India. They are typically erected in memory of a brave warrior or hero who died in battle or while defending their community.

The history of hero stones in the Telugu region can be traced back to the early medieval period, with the earliest known examples dating back to the 5th century CE. These early hero stones were primarily made of granite and were typically adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions detailing the deeds and accomplishments of the person being honored.Over time, the tradition of erecting hero stones spread throughout the Telugu region and became a common practice among various communities. The inscriptions on these stones were usually in the form of poetry, and many of them are considered to be important historical records of the culture and society of the time.In addition to honoring warriors and heroes, hero stones were also used to commemorate important events and figures in local history, such as kings, queens, and other important leaders.Today, hero stones continue to be an important part of the cultural heritage of the Telugu region and are protected and preserved by the government and local communities. They are considered to be an important source of information on the history, culture, and society of the region.

A veeragallu (sculpture of a local hero who fought for the village) recovered in Jangrai village of Medak district.

In a rare discovery, the sculpture of a hunting Veeragallu, suspected to be from the 10th-11th Century AD was found at a mining site at Velchal village of Mominpet Mandal in Vikarabad district. Apart from the rare sculpture, a small cave on the top of the hillock, suspected to have been carved out between the 1st and 5th Century AD, was also discovered.

Historians have discovered a rare ‘Veeragallu’ (warrior’s sculpture), who appears to have died in a battle with rivals while protecting a herd of cows, at Kohir in Sangareddy district recently.The sculpture probably belonged to 12th century AD when Kalyana Chalukyas ruled these parts of the State. The sculpture was skillfully engraved on a black stone. The hero, seen riding a horse, was attacking a rival’s horse with a sword while holding a bow in another hand. This depicted that he had fought many persons in the battle single-handedly and died at the hands of the rivals.

Veeragallu, unearthed during Mission Kakatiya works in Ande near Siddipet. One of the inscription says that Veeragallu was killed by the local king.

A rare sculpture depicting Sati Sahagamana made of stone dating back to the Kalyani Chalukyan era in the 10th century CE was found among the ruins of the abandoned habitation of Dommata village, Cheriyal mandal, Siddipet district.

Sculptures of Veeragallu or warriors can be found in many villages across the State. In some sculptures, Satisheela, wife of the warrior, has been found alongside as well. However, what differentiates them from the sculpture found in Dommata is the pose of the royal couple.

While a similar sculpture of Veeragallu was found at Akunuru village located close to Dommata in the past, the turban knot differentiated between the two warriors who were probably from different periods, observed K Srinivas, Member of Kotha Telangana Charithra Brundam, who discovered the sculpture.

Six hero stones (Veeragallu) were found in the vicinity of Golaki temple behind Gollattagudi in Alwanpalli, a suburb of Gangapur, Jadcherla mandal in Mahabubnagar district