Suryapet District (సూర్యపేట జిల్లా) - 2 | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

Culture & Heritage

• The Department of Archaeology was founded in 1914 by H.E.H. Nawab Sir Mir Osman Ali Khan, the VIIth Nizam. It is now known as 'The Department of Heritage Telangana'. The department is esteemed for its work in archaeological research and safeguarding the cultural heritage of Telangana state. Preserving ancient monuments, archaeological sites, and historically significant remains is its primary focus.
• Upon the recommendation of the Director General of Archaeology of India, Prof. Ghulam Yazdani was appointed as its inaugural Director.

• The Director's Responsibilities:

  • Organizing the office and outlining duties to the Government
  • Proposal approval by the Government
• Mr. Yazdani commenced his role in Hyderabad on April 26, 1914, efficiently organizing his office and presenting his duties to the Government. His outlined proposals were wholeheartedly endorsed by the Government as per Proceedings No.19/7 MISC.OF 27th June 1914.

Objective

• To safeguard genuine specimens of the significant antiquities of the Dominions.
• To explore potential sites and regions that can shed light on the historical narrative of the state.
• To organize the systematic gathering and positioning of portable antiquities. His Exalted Highness approved the establishment of a Museum in Hyderabad to disseminate knowledge among his subjects. This Museum was inaugurated on March 13, 1931, with his personal collection of antiquities and art objects from his Dominions for public display.
• Following the establishment of the State of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, the former Hyderabad Archaeological Department was renamed as the Department of Heritage Telangana. Subsequently, in 1960, it evolved into the Department of Heritage Telangana until June 1, 2014. Post the state's division, Telangana was officially formed on June 2, 2014.

Main Activities of the Department

The Department of Heritage Telangana is the primary organization dedicated to archaeological research and safeguarding the cultural heritage of Telangana state. Its core focus is on maintaining ancient monuments, archaeological sites, and historically significant remains.

• Protection and Preservation of Historical Monuments and Sites: This involves safeguarding and maintaining historical monuments and sites in accordance with the A.P. Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act No. VII of 1960.
• Exploration and Excavation: Engaging in exploration and excavation activities to unearth historical artifacts and further our understanding of the region's history.
• Epigraphical Survey and Publications: Conducting surveys to study inscriptions and publishing findings to disseminate knowledge about the region's historical and cultural significance.
• Establishment and Upgradation of Museums: Establishing and improving museums to showcase and preserve historical artifacts for public appreciation and education.
• Conservation of Protected Monuments and Acquisition of Treasure Troves: Conservation efforts to protect monuments and the legal acquisition of treasure troves as per the Indian Treasure Trove Act 1878 (AP T.T. Rules, 1959).
• Registration of Antiquities: Registering antiquities under the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act of 1972 to regulate and document these valuable historical artifacts.

Administrative Setup

Administrative Structure for Monuments

• The state is divided into three Circles for the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
• The Directorate Office is located at Gun foundry in Abids road, while Regional Offices are situated at Warangal (covering Warangal and Khammam districts), Karimnagar (covering Karimnagar, Adilabad, and Nizamabad districts), and Mahabubnagar (covering Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts).
• Additionally, there is a State Museum at Public Gardens in Hyderabad.

Cultural Diversity and Heritage

• Telangana, positioned between the North and South of India, has historically served as a melting pot of diverse languages and cultures.
• Often cited as a prime example of India’s composite culture, pluralism, and inclusiveness, Telangana embodies the ethos of 'South of North and North of South.'
• Its capital city, Hyderabad, is often referred to as a ‘miniature India’ due to its rich cultural diversity.

Impact of Geography, Polity, and Economy

• The culture of Telangana is deeply influenced by its geography, polity, and economy.
• The region's early rulers, such as the Satavahanas, established an independent and self-sufficient village economy, which has left a lasting impact.
• During medieval times, the Kakatiya dynasty, followed by the Qutub Shahis and Asafjahis, who ruled the Hyderabad state, further shaped the cultural landscape of the region.
• Warangal, the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty, played a significant role in defining the cultural identity of Telangana during this period.

Art Forms

• Some classical art forms gained refinement through royal patronage, while various communities across Telangana contributed to its distinct cultural identity.
• During the Kakatiya rule, dance forms like Perini Sivatandavam, also known as the 'dance of warriors', emerged, showcasing a blend of grace and strength.
• Commoners developed storytelling traditions such as Golla Suddulu, Oggu Kathalu, and Gotralu to address the challenges of everyday life.
• These diverse art forms merged over time, giving rise to composite forms like the versatile 'Dhoom Dham', often reflecting themes of struggle and exploitation.
• Chindu Bhagavatham, a variant of Yakshagana, is widely performed in Telangana, incorporating dance, music, dialogue, and stage techniques, with stories mostly drawn from the 'Bhagavatam'.
• Qawali, Ghazals, and Mushairas evolved under the patronage of rulers like the Qutub Shahis and Asafjahis in and around Hyderabad, enriching the cultural landscape with their poetic and musical expressions.

Festivals in Telangana

• Hindu Festivals: Celebrated with enthusiasm and devotion. Examples include Ugadi, Srirama Navami, Bonalu, Vinayaka Chaturthi, and more.
• Dasara Festival: Main festival known as 'pedda panduga.' Bathukamma, a unique part of Dasara festivities in Telangana, holds historic, ecological, societal, and religious significance.
• Bathukamma Festival: Women participate by carrying beautifully stacked Bathukammas with specific flowers, circling them, and singing traditional songs rooted in various aspects of culture.
• Bonalu Festival: Observed during the Telugu month of Ashadam to worship Goddess Mahakali, expressing gratitude for fulfilling devotees' desires.
• Bojanam Tradition: During the festival, a special meal known as Bojanam is offered to the presiding Mother Goddess. This meal typically consists of rice cooked with milk and jaggery in a brass or earthen pot, decorated with neem leaves, turmeric, vermilion, and a lighted diya placed on top of the ghatam.
• Moharram Celebration: While Ramzan is the primary festival for Muslims, Moharram, also known as 'peerla panduga,' is celebrated extensively in Telangana. 'Pir' signifies Master, and it is a festival where many Hindus actively participate.
• Christmas and Good Friday: Christians in and around Hyderabad observe Christmas and Good Friday with great enthusiasm and religious fervor.

Arts and Crafts in Telangana

• Bidri Craft: This art form involves silver engraving on metal, with black, gold, and silver coatings. It goes through multiple stages including casting, engraving, inlaying, and oxidizing. Bidri Craft is named after Bidar, a town in the former Hyderabad state (now part of Karnataka).
• Banjara Needle Crafts: Traditional handmade fabrics by Banjaras, the tribal Gypsies in Telangana, feature embroidery and mirror work using needlecraft techniques.
• Dokra Metal Crafts: Also known as bell metal craft, Dokra is prominent in Jainoor Mandal, Ushegaon, and Chittalbori in Adilabad district. This tribal craft creates figurines, tribal gods, and various objects with folk motifs and traditional designs.
• Nirmal Arts: Nirmal Arts, originating from the Kakatiya era, are renowned for their oil paintings that use natural dyes to depict themes from epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. The art form also includes wood paintings and other wooden articles that exhibit great aesthetic expression. Nirmal craft features motifs such as floral designs, frescoes inspired by Ajanta and Ellora, and Mughal miniatures.
• Bronze Castings: Bronze castings from Telangana are globally recognized for their excellence. The process involves creating moulds for solid casting of icons by applying multiple coatings of different clays on a finished wax model. This technique results in intricate curves on the cast images.