31 August 2009

Podagada (The ruined fort) Podagada is a historic place situated 52 Kms away from Nabarangpur and 14 kms. from Dhodra where Brami inscriptions can be found. Podagada is rich in lapidary inscription, sculptures, ruined forts temples, coins. Stone inscriptions found here says that Puskari, the capital of Nala remind us of the Nala rulers. From the 4th to 5th century AD, the Nalas rose to prominence with their head quarters at Puskari, modern Umerkote Thasil of Nabarangpur district. Four of their inscriptions two on stones tells a lot about their history. The copper plate inscriptions of Rithapur plates of King Bhavadatta Verman and the Kesari Bedha plates of King Arthapati, which were secured in 1944 from the village Keshasribedha of Umerkote Tashil ( Paleographical they belonged to Gupta Period. The donor of The temporary eclipse of the Nala power has been referred to the Podagada stone inscription of Nabarangpur district, from where it was known that the lost glory and prestige of the Nala dynasty was retrieved by Scandaverman, after defeating the Vakatakas . Soon after the Nala were completely defeated and crushed by chalukya Kirtiverman. About 60 gold coins discovered between 1939 and 1957 speak volume of the then rulers too. In 1939, 32 gold coins belonging to the kings Varaharaja, Arthapati raja, and Bhavadutta Verman were discovered. The coins contained figures of Nala legends on them. The scripts of legends are popularly known as the “box-headed type”. In May 1957, 28 gold coins were discovered from the forest of Kodinga tehsil of Nabarangpur district. History tells us originally the place was under Nalas, and subsequently went to the possession of the Nagas. The gold coins which were discovered has opened a new field of research so far as the Nagas are concerned. Till to-day no archaeological survey has been made in this district and antiquities so far available are rather very low. The ruin queen palace, foot print of goddess Laxmi, Sati stone, Bhairab temple, Madagam Dongri, Bhai Bhauni, Nandagada, Gumphas, Punji, Belghari, Tangapani, are places of historic importance and requires research lying unprotected. The sun and moon statue till to day says about, art, culture, and civilization of the Nalas dynasty. Podagada has immense potential for tourism and history.