Current Affairs 24 August 2026

9th-Century Hero Stone Inscription Discovered in Annamayya District

A 9th-century C.E. hero stone inscription has been discovered in agricultural fields outside Aravidu village in Galiveedu mandal of Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh. The inscription is written in Telugu using characters belonging to the 9th century C.E.

The inscription records the death of Kadega, ruler of Pochhitam and son of Chandraditya, in a battle at Tiruvula. The battle was fought between Vaidumba ruler Ganda Trinetra and Vanaraja, a Bana king.

Hero stones, also known as Viragallu, are memorial stones erected in honour of warriors who died in battle. Such inscriptions are important sources for reconstructing the political and military history of early medieval Andhra Pradesh. Historical epigraphic studies also record conflicts involving the Vaidumbas and Banas and refer to a battle at Tiruvula during this period.

Key Points for Exams:

• Location: Aravidu village, Galiveedu mandal
• District: Annamayya, Andhra Pradesh
• Period: 9th century C.E.
• Language: Telugu
• Warrior mentioned: Kadega
• Kadega was the son of Chandraditya.
• Tiruvula Battle: The conflict involved Vaidumba Ganda Trinetra and Bana king Vanaraja.
• Hero stones or Viragallu commemorate warriors who died in battle.

Tank Inscription of Venkatapatiraya II Found in Annamayya District

A tank inscription of Venkatapatiraya II has been found engraved on a boulder in fields outside Nulividu village in Galiveedu mandal of Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh. The Telugu inscription is dated Saka 1527, Viswavasu, Margasira, corresponding to 15 November 1605 C.E. The inscription records the renovation of Merugula tank and the installation of a Kalupa (weir) for the tank, which was situated in Marjevada Seema.

Rajendra Chola I Inscription Found in Sri Sathya Sai District

A Tamil rock inscription associated with Rajendra Chola I has been found near the Akkammadevata temple in Buchayagaripalli village, Bukkapatnam mandal, Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh. The inscription belongs to the 31st regnal year of Rajendra Chola I, corresponding to 1042 C.E. It appears to record the excavation of an irrigation tank, referred to as an “Eri” in Tamil. The tank was named Mudikonda Chola Pereri. The inscription is important as evidence of Chola-period irrigation works and Tamil epigraphic presence in present-day Andhra Pradesh.

Rare Animal Depictions Found at Srisailam

Rare carvings depicting two giraffes and two camels, each accompanied by attendants, have been identified on the southern side of the prakara wall of the Srisailam temple complex in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh. The carvings are associated with the Vijayanagara period and form part of the narrative bas-reliefs on the temple’s outer walls.

The depiction of giraffes is particularly significant because the animal is not native to India. Archaeologists suggest that the carvings point to contacts through maritime trade routes connecting the Indian subcontinent with Africa and West Asia.

Siddhavatam Fort

Siddhavatam Fort, also known as Sidhout Fort, in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, is in the news as restoration work by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is under way and the State government is planning to strengthen its heritage-tourism potential. The fort is located on the left bank of the Penna (Pinakini) River, between the Palakonda (Lankamalla) and Veligonda hill ranges.

The fort’s initial construction is traced to 1303 C.E. under the Matli rulers, with an ASI record attributing its construction to Ananta Raja. A 1605 C.E. inscription belonging to the period of Vijayanagara ruler Venkatapati Raya II records the achievements of Matli Ananta and the construction and extension of the stone fort.

Siddhavatam later came under several powers, including the Golconda Sultanate, Nawabs of Cuddapah, Hyder Ali, Nizams of Hyderabad and the British East India Company. Under British rule, Siddhavatam briefly served as the administrative headquarters of Cuddapah district from 1807 to 1812, before the headquarters was shifted back to Cuddapah following floods in the Penna River.

Key Points for Exams:

• Siddhavatam Fort is located in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh.
• It stands on the left bank of the Penna (Pinakini) River.
• It lies between the Palakonda and Veligonda hill ranges.
• Initial construction: 1303 C.E.
• Important Matli ruler: Ananta Raja.
• A major inscription dated 1605 C.E. belongs to the period of Venkatapati Raya II.
• Siddhavatam served as headquarters of Cuddapah district from 1807 to 1812.

Exercise Udara Shakti 2026

The Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 at Subang, Malaysia, following its participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia. Udara Shakti is a bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). During the 2026 edition, IAF aircrew carried out high-intensity combat sorties and joint tactical manoeuvres with the RMAF.

ASW Shallow Water Craft ‘Mangrol’

The Indian Navy received ‘Mangrol’, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, on 21 August 2026. The vessel has more than 80% indigenous content and is designed for underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare operations in coastal waters, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine warfare.

Mangrol is propelled by waterjets and is equipped with torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, advanced radars and sonars. The ship is named after Mangrol, a coastal town and minor port in Junagadh district of Gujarat.

APMDC Wins ‘Best State Linked Issuer’ Award

The Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Limited (APMDC) has received the ‘Best State Linked Issuer’ award from the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). The award was presented at the 9th National Summit & Awards on Corporate Bond Market, held in Mumbai on 20 August 2026.

Veteran Actress Sowcar Janaki Passes Away

Veteran South Indian actress Sowcar Janaki, born Sankaramanchi Janaki, passed away in Chennai on 21 August 2026 at the age of 94. She was known for her versatile performances across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi cinema. Born in Rajahmundry (present-day Rajamahendravaram), Andhra Pradesh, she began her career as a drama artiste with All India Radio (AIR). She made her film debut in the Telugu movie Shavukaru (1950). Sowcar Janaki received the Padma Shri in 2022 in the field of Art. She was also a recipient of the Kalaimamani Award of the Tamil Nadu Government.

Q1. A 9th-century C.E. hero stone inscription was recently discovered at Aravidu village in which district of Andhra Pradesh?
A. Chittoor
B. Annamayya
C. YSR Kadapa
D. Sri Sathya Sai

Q2. Veteran actress Shavukaru (Sowcar) Janaki, who passed away recently, was born in which State?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Karnataka
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. Kerala

Q3. A tank inscription of Venkatapatiraya II, dated 1605 C.E., was recently discovered in which district of Andhra Pradesh?
A. YSR Kadapa
B. Annamayya
C. Chittoor
D. Sri Sathya Sai

Q4. A Tamil inscription of Rajendra Chola I, dated to 1042 C.E., was recently found in which district of Andhra Pradesh?
A. Annamayya
B. Chittoor
C. Sri Sathya Sai
D. YSR Kadapa

Q5. Depictions of giraffes and camels were recently found on the walls of which temple complex in Andhra Pradesh?
A. Sri Kalahasti Temple
B. Srisailam Temple
C. Tirumala Temple
D. Kanaka Durga Temple

Q6. Siddhavatam Fort, recently in the news, is situated on the bank of which river?
A. Krishna
B. Tungabhadra
C. Penna
D. Godavari

Q7. Which of the following Andhra Pradesh State-owned enterprises was recently conferred the ‘Best State Linked Issuer’ award by ASSOCHAM?
A. Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited
B. Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Limited
C. Andhra Pradesh State Financial Corporation
D. Andhra Pradesh Power Finance Corporation Limited

Q8. Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 was conducted between the Indian Air Force and the Air Force of which country?
A. Australia
B. Malaysia
C. Indonesia
D. Singapore

Q9. ‘Mangrol’, recently delivered to the Indian Navy, is which type of naval vessel?
A. Guided Missile Destroyer
B. Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
C. Fleet Support Ship
D. Landing Platform Dock