A stunning archaeological find at the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, has unveiled India’s earliest known epigraphic reference to Halley’s Comet. Discovered on a 600-year-old copper plate, this inscription is dated June 28, 1456 CE, and was issued by Vijayanagara king Mallikarjuna as a land grant to a Vedic scholar. The inscription describes a “bright celestial object” streaking across the sky, an event that perfectly matches historical records of Halley’s Comet’s appearance that year, making this the first concrete, date-specific Indian reference to the world-famous comet.
Discovery and Historical Context
The copper plate, written in both Telugu and Sanskrit, was recovered from the Ghanta Mandapam of the temple. It records a land grant to Limganarya, a Vedic scholar and astronomer from Kadiyalapura (likely present-day Kadiyapulanka in Kadapa district), as a ritual offering to pacify calamities believed to arise from the appearance of a comet and associated meteor shower.
The inscription’s date—Saka 1378, Dhatri Samvatsara, Ashadha Bahula 11, Somavara—precisely corresponds to June 28, 1456 CE, aligning with Halley’s Comet’s historically significant apparition that summer.
Astronomical and Cultural Significance
Comets as Omens
In ancient Indian tradition, comets were viewed as harbingers of misfortune and calamity. The inscription refers to the comet using the Sanskrit term Dhumaketu, meaning “smoke banner,” and describes it as a sign of impending disaster. This belief was widespread across cultures; historical records from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia also interpreted Halley’s Comet as a bad omen.
Royal Response
To counteract the perceived negative effects, King Mallikarjuna performed a Shanti Puja (pacification ritual) and granted the village of Simgapura in Kelajha Sima, under Hastinavati Vemthe region, to Limganarya. This act reflects the importance placed on scholarly knowledge and ritual intervention in the face of cosmic events.
Scientific and Epigraphic Milestone
First Epigraphic Reference
While ancient Indian texts like the Rigveda, Atharvaveda, and Brihat Samhita mention comets metaphorically, the Srisailam inscription is the first to provide a specific date and description of an actual astronomical event. This makes it a landmark in India’s scientific and historical record-keeping.
Astronomical Confirmation
The description of a “bright celestial object” and a meteor shower in the inscription matches the known appearance of Halley’s Comet in 1456, which was widely observed and documented across the globe. The precise dating in both Indian and Gregorian calendars provides a rare and valuable link between ancient records and modern astronomical data.
Integration of Astronomy and Administration
The inclusion of celestial events in a formal land grant document highlights how astronomy was deeply integrated into the administrative, legal, and religious life of the Vijayanagara Empire. It demonstrates a high level of scientific observation and documentation among Indian scholars of the time.
Legacy of Sky-Watching
This discovery underscores India’s long tradition of sky-watching and its contributions to early astronomy. The systematic recording of cometary events in copper plate inscriptions speaks to a culture that valued both scientific inquiry and ritual significance.
Why This Matters Today
The Srisailam copper plate is more than an archaeological curiosity. It provides tangible evidence that 15th-century Indian scholars were keen observers of the cosmos and meticulous recorders of celestial phenomena. This find enriches our understanding of India’s scientific heritage and offers a window into how ancient societies responded to the mysteries of the universe.
Explore more about India’s ancient scientific heritage and stay updated with the latest archaeological discoveries by subscribing to our newsletter!