Veluri Venkata Krishna Sastry

Dr. Veluri Venkata Krishna Sastry is an archaeologist and historian of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Early life

Dr. Krishna Sastry was born on October 23, 1934, Chirivada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India to Veluri Partha Sarathi and Veluri Anasuya. He was graduated from Gudivada College in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh and got his Masters Degree from Osmania University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. He received his Ph. D degree from Karnataka University, Dharvar, Karnataka, India.

Dr. Krishna Sastry's name is synonymous with almost all the developments and achievements in the Archaeology of Andhra Pradesh that happened for over three decades during the seventies and nineties of the 20th Century. He is a great discoverer and credited with the identification of a large number of prehistoric, historic and Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh.

Dr. Sastry is also an author of many research papers and books. He published more than hundred papers in various research journals and authored more than ten books.

A festschrift in his honour was edited by P. Chenna Reddy.^[1]

Career as an Archaeologist

Dr. Sastry started his career as a Scholar Trainee, Nagarjunkonda, Archaeological Survey of India, in 1959. 1961-68 he worked as Technical Assistant, State Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh. 1968-79 Dr. S astry worked as Assistant Director Archaeological Excavations, Department of Archaeology and Museums and as Chief Technical Officer, Department of Archaeology and Museums, from 1979-81. From 1981-92 he worked as Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums. 1989-1991 he also officiated as Director of State Archives and Oriental Manuscripts Library.

It was Dr. Sastry who first unraveled the most important Buddhist sites at Chandavaram in Prakasam District, Kesanapalli in Guntur District, Dhulikatta and Kotilingala in Karimnagar district. Dr. Sastry proved through his excavation that Keesaragutta in Medchal Taluq of Rangareddy District was the capital of Vishnukundins who ruled Andhradesa during the post-Satavahana times of 4th –5th centuries AD. The Buddhist sites excavated by Dr. Sastry on the hilltops at Totlakonda and Bavikonda are now developed as tourist centers by Government.

Some of the outstanding group of ancient temples once situated in the submerged area of Srisailam project now reconstructed in the newly built villages Somasila, Erladinne, Siddheswaram, Bhujangeswaram, Kyatur now stand as testimonies to the planning and execution of Dr. Sastry.

Dr. Sastry's efforts in establishing museums resulted in the construction and opening up of District museums at Anantapur, Warangal, Nalgonda, Kurnool and the site museums at Chandavaram. The District museum of Nalgonda built adjacent to Pachchala Someswara temple at Panugal has now grown to be an important tourist attraction.

Excavations participated or independently conducted

1. Nagarjunakonda, a site of multiple cultures starting from Prehistory to Medieval times. Primarily a major Buddhist Site (3rd Century AD), 1959-61. Joined as Trainee – Scholar

2. Yeleswaram, a Pre and Proto-Historic Megalithic and Early Historical and Medieval site (8th century BC to 13th century AD), 1961-65.

3. Kesanapally, an important Buddhist stupa datable to 2nd century BC., 1966.Discovered and excavated

4. Peddabankur, a major Satavahana site datable from 2nd century BC. Excavations revealed a number of structures and scores of minor antiquities, 1967-73.

5. Motupally, an ancient sea ports town of the Kakatiya and Chola periods corresponding to 11 to 13 centuries AD. 1972-74.

6. Kadambapur, Iron Age burial site (8th century BC to 6th century BC), 1973-74. Discovered and Excavated

7. Dhulikatta, and extensive Satavahana fortification, habitation site and Buddhist Stupa (2nd century BC to 2nd century AD), 1974-77. Discovered and Excavated

8. Polakonda, Iron Age burial site (8th century BC to 6th century BC), 1975-76. Discovered and Excavated

9. Agiripalli, a Megalithic Burial site (6th century to 4th century BC), 1976.

10. Kesaragutta, a Vishnukundin single period site, which revealed a large number a brick structures, coins, beads, stucco objects etc. (4th century AD), 1976-80. Excavated and established the site as a Capital of Vishnukundins

11. Kotilingala, an extensive Mauryan – Satavahana site (3rd century BC to 2nd century AD), 1979-84. Discovered the site containing Satavahana and Presatavahana Cultures including the Buddhist Stupa and Excavated

12. Peddamarur, Iron Age burial site (8th century BC to 6th century BC), 1978-79. Excavated

13. Chinnamarur, Iron Age burial site (8th century BC to 6th century BC), Excavated 1979-82.

14. Hulikal, a Proto-historic Chalolithic site (1200 BC to 1000 BC), Excavated 1978.

15. Bavikonda, an extensive Buddhist site datable from 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD, 1983-87. Excavated

16. Thotlakonda, a Buddhist site with several Buddhist stupas, viharas datable from 1st century BC to 5th century AD, 1988 (excavations are in progress), Excavated and published report

17. Nelakondapalli, a Buddhist stupa and a very extensive early historical habitation site (3rd century to 5th century AD), 1984-90. Excavated

Discoveries

1. Discovered Stone Age Sites Early Stone Age site at Nagarjunakonda in Guntur District, Amarabad, Chandravagu, in Mehboobnagar District Several prehistoric sites near Ramagundam, Godavary Khani, Early, Middle and Late Stone age sites in Adilabad District near Wankhidi, Pochchara, Kerimeri etc., several Prehistoric sites in and around Yelleswaram in Nalgonda District

2. Neolithic sites near Togarrai, Kadambapur, Budigapalli, Kolakonda, Devaruppula, and Polakonda in Karimnagar District

3. Megalithic burial sites near Kadambapur, Valigonda in Nalgonda District, Kolakonda in Warangal District, Chinna Torruru, Bommera, Ramunipatla, Timmannapalli, Chilpur, Sirisapalli, Mandapalli, Palamakula, Pullur, and Vargas in Medak District

4. Buddhist Stupas at Kesanapalli in Guntur District, Chandavaram in Prakasam District, Dhulikatta, Kotilingala, Poshigoan in Karimnagar District

5. Prehistoric rocks art sites at Regonda in Karimnagar District, Edithanur in Medak District, Durgam and Bollaram in Mahbubnagar District, Gargeyapuram in Kurnool District???.

Salvage Archaeology

Under Salvage archaeological operations in the submergible area of the Srisailam Project a large number of ancient temples have been dismantled and reconstructed at higher altitudes. The Somasila Group of Temples, the temples of Siddheswaram, Bhujangeswaram were transplanted and reconstructed. The fourteen temple group of Somasila was dismantled bit by bit and reconstructed at the newly built Somasila village that it now stands aloft in the new Somasila village due to the unceasing efforts of Dr. Sastry.

Professional Achievements

Dr. Sastry retired as Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh, India. He was Sectional President for the Indian History Congress held at Kolkatta. He was Sectional President and later General President for Andhra Pradesh History Congress. He was General President for the South Indian Numismatic Conference held at Cochin.

He is a Member on the Salarjung Museum Board, Member of the Heritage Conservation Committee of the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority, Chief Compiler in the Telugu Encyclopedia Revision committee of the Telugu University. He is also the President of the Historical Society of Hyderabad.

Awards

In 2002 Dr. Sastry received the Eminent Citizen Award as an "Outstanding Archaeologist" by the Sanatana Dharma Charitable Trust, Hyderabad.

He was awarded the Title of "Esasvi" by the Helapuri Fort Group Eluru, West Godavary, Andhra Pradesh.

Publications

Dr. Sastry's book "Proto Historical Cultures of Andhra Pradesh" was released by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1982.

His book in Telugu entitled "Bharatiya Samskruti Puratatva Parisodhanalu" written as a dialogue between grandfather and grandson described by a journal as the ‘Puratatvopanishad’ was received exceedingly well by the scholarly world.

Books

1. New Satavahana Sculptures from Andhra Amaravati, 1990

2. Proto and Early Historical Cultures of Andhra Pradesh Published by the. Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Released by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England (1983)

3. Select Monuments of Hyderabad (1983), a Guide Book.

4. Recent Sculptures of Andhra Amarvati (1981)

5. Roman Gold Coins Recent Discoveries

6. Three Grants of Pruthvisri Mula Raja from Kondavidu.

7. Totlakonda – A Buddhist Site in Andhra Pradesh

8. Vijayanagara Mahasaamrajyamu Published by National Book Trust

9. Bharatiya Samskruti Puratatvaparisodhanalu (Telugu)

10. Famines in India through the Ages

11. A Brief History of Andhra Pradesh

12. History Of Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh

13. Status of Women in Vedic Times

Research articles published

1. Terracotta's from Peddabankur and Dhulikatta, (1978) Andhra Pradesh Journal of Archaeology, Vol 1, and no.1.

2. Keesara, a capital of Vishnukundins, (1979) Andhra Pradesh Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 1 no. 1

3. The Ash mound excavation at Hulikallu (1979) Andhra Pradesh Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 1 no. 2

4. Recent archaeological discoveries of the Satavahana period in AP,) Satavahana Souvenir, Satavahana Seminar Special Issue. 1981

5. Ancient Andhra History @Archaeology (Sectional Presidential Address) Proceedings of the AP History Congress, 8th Session, Kakinada, 1984

6. Vandalism of Archaeological monuments in India – role of public in their preservation, (1985) preservation, (1985) Proceedings of All India Museums Conference, Bhuvaneswar.

7. Historical Mosques of Hyderabad (1987) Journal of Salar Jung Museum Annual Research Journal, 1983-84 Hyderabad.

8. Architectural affiliation of Andhra with rock-cut caves of Ellora, (1988) Proceedings of Indian Art History Seminar.

9. Kuchipudi dance – a historical sketch, (1988) Souvenir of the Kuchipudi Kalaniketan, Hyderabad.

10. Salient features of the Early Islamic architecture in A.P (1989) Souvenir of the Centenary celebrations of the Victoria Jubilee Museum, Vijayawada.

11. Seals and ceilings from Peddabankur, Epigraphia Andhrica, Vo.51989

12. Recent Trends in Archaeology of Andhra Pradesh, Sectional Presidential Address, 51 Session of Indian History Congress, Calcutta, 1990

13. Salvage archeological Operations under the Srisailam Project, (1990) Ithihas, and vol. 15 no.2. 1989

14. Artistic Innovations During the Vijayanagara Times, with Reference to AP, Itihas, Vol XV, 1989

15. Salient Features of Satavahana Material Culture, Dr. N.Ramesan Commemoration Volume, Satavahana Special, 1990

16. Early Saiva Vestiges at Keesaragatta, (1990) Itihas, Vol. 15 No. 2

17. A decade of Archaeology in Andhra Pradesh, (1983) Journal of Archaeology, University of Mysore.

18. Early Islamic Architecture, Souvenir, Victoria Jubilee Museum Centenary Celebrations, 1987

19. Salient features of Satavahana Material Culture, (1990) Andhra Pradesh Journal of Archaeology, Vol.2 No.2.

20. Position and Status of Women during the Medieval Andhra, (1991) Itihas, Von. 16 No.1

21. Terracotta Art of Andhra Pradesh (1990), Gaurav.

22. Indo Roman Trading Centers in Andhra Pradesh Ex Moneta, in Honour of Dr. David W. Mac Dowall, Bapu, Nasik, 1995

23. Stucco As Decorative Art in Andhra Pradesh, Decorative Arts of India, Published by Salar Jung Museum Hyderabad, 1987.

24. Architectural Affiliation of Andhra with Rock -Cut Caves of Ellora, Ellora Caves: Sculptures and Architecture, Seminar on Art History at Ellora 1988.

25. Philosophy of Conservation. In Conservation, Preservation, @Restoration, Birla Archaeological and Cultural Research Institute, 1996.

26. Recent Trends in Archaeology of Andhra Pradesh, Sectional Presidential Address, 51 Session, Indian History Congress, Calcutta December, 1990.

27. Ramayana in Andhra Sculptural Art, Srinagabhinandana, Bangalore, 1995

28. Three Copper Plate Grants of Pruthvisrimula Raja from Kondavidu, Journal of the Epigraphical Society of India, Vol 16, 1990

29. Roman Coin Finds in the Karimnagar Region of Andhra, Foreign Coins found in the Indian Subcontinent, 4th International Colloquium, Indian Institute of Research in Numismatics, Nasik, 1995

30. Kshtrapa Coin Hoard from Ghantasala, in Numismatic Panorama, S.M.Shukla Commemoration Vol.1996

31. Ramadasa_A Great Ramabhakta of Bhdrachalam, The Kalyana Kalpataru, Vol. XLII, December, 1996

32. Bliss in Stillness, (Splendor of Andhra Temples) Maa Telugu Talli, Special Issue on Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjuna group,1998

33. Recent Progress of Archaeology in Andhra Pradesh, Proceedings of the Colloquiium on South Indian Archaeology, Bacri, Hyderabad,2000

34. Buddhism in Andhra, Andhra Sangita Saamskutika Mahotsavava special Issue, September, 2001

35. The Enigma of Acharya Nagarjuna, Deccan Studies, Vol.1, No.1, Jan-June, 2002

36. Early Tantric Goddesses, Special Issue of the National Seminar on Tantrism, Birla Archeological and Cultural Research Institute, Hyderabad, 2002

37. Megalithic Cultures- The Iron Age, Pre and Proto Historic Andhra Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh History Congress, Dravidian University, 2003

38. A Historical Sketch Of Acharya Nagarjuna, Proceedings of the National Seminar, Salar Jung Museum, 2003.

39. Nalgonda Region - An Archaeological Paradise, in Udayini, Special Issue of Panugallu Utsavam, 2001

40. Maha Ganapati, Proceedings of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress, Narasapur,2001

41. Dr, R.Subrahmanyam, a Guide of My Destiny, Subrahmanyam Commemoration Volume, Editors, Dr. I.K.Sarma, B.Vidyadhara Rao, 2003

42. The Symbolism of Lotus and Lajja Gouri, in Glimpses of our Past and Historical Researches, Felicitation Vol to Prof M.Radha Krishna Sarma, Dept. of History Osmania University, 2004.

43. Historical Geography of Andhra Pradesh, General Presidential Address, 28th Session of Andhra Pradesh History Congress, Vijayavada, 2004.

44. Tummanayeru Grant of Pulakesi 11. Brahmasri, P.V.Parabrahma Sastry Felicitation Vol., 2004

45. Sects of Buddhism in Andhra, Kevala_Bodhi, Buddhist and Jaina History of Deccan, 2004

46. Freedom Movement in (Coastal) Andhra, Krishna Pushkaram Celebrations, Special Issue, 2004

Research Articles Published in Telugu

1. Andhra Pradesh Raastram lo Puraatatva Parisodhanalu, Andhra Jyoti Special Issue, 1985

2. Nagarjunkonda – Oka Bouddha Kshetram, (1987), Telugu Samacharam.

3. Amaravathi, (1987), Telugu Samacharam.

4. Bavikonda – Bouddharamam, (1988) Telugu Samacharam.

5. Nelakondapalli (1988) Telugu Samacharam.

6. Srisailam Project loni puratana kattadala parikshana charyalu, (1989) Telugu Vignanam.

7. Charitrika Chihnalu, MaaTelugu Talliki Mallepooladanda, A special issue brought out by Andhra Jyothi.1989.

8. Praachinaandhra Samskuti, Special Issue, Andhra Saaraswata Parishad Diamond Jubilee ,2003

9. Praachina Naanemulu-Moosi Charitra Parisodhana Telugu, B.Nsastry Commemoration Volume,

10. Tarataraala Telugu Samskruti, Moosi, November-December 2000.

11. Brihatsilayuga Samskrutulu-Inupayugam, Andhra Pradesh Samagra Charitra Samskruti, Vol 1. Andhra Pradesh History Congress, 2003

References

1. ^ Reddy, P. Chenna. Krishnabhinandana: Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Studies (Festschrift to Dr. V.V. Krishna Sastry. Delhi. pp. l, 372p., Col. & B/W Photos., B/W Plts., Figs., Tables, Index, 29 cm.. ISBN 9788189131159. http://www.saujanyabooks.com/details.aspx?id=33686. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 

• Annual Report of the Department of Archaeology Museums, 1986-87
• http://www.archive.org/details/vijnanasaraswati015976mbp
• http://www.archive.org/details/vijanasaraswativ015973mbp
• http://www.archive.org/details/protoandearlyhis024606mbp
• http://openlibrary.org/a/OL104335A/V._V._Krishna_Sastry

External links

• Krishnabhinandana: Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Studies (Festschrift to Dr. V.V. Krishna Sastry)

P.Chenna Reddy (Dr.) (Ed.)

• Aprastuta Prasamsa (Paperback - Jul 2009) by V. R. Krishna Sastry

Persondata
Name	Sastry, Veluri Venkata Krishna
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1934
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death