| Bhattiprolu | |
| Settlement Type: | Village |
| Map Alt: | Dynamic map |
| Pushpin Map: | India#India Andhra Pradesh |
| Pushpin Relief: | yes |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Coordinates: | 16.1026°N 80.7807°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Andhra Pradesh |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Bapatla |
| Subdivision Type3: | Mandal |
| Subdivision Name3: | Bhattiprolu |
| Parts Type: | Wards |
| Government Footnotes: | [1] |
| Government Type: | Panchayati raj |
| Governing Body: | Bhattiprolu Gram Panchayat |
| Leader Title: | Sarpanch |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Footnotes: | [2] |
| Area Total Ha: | 2515 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Footnotes: | [3] |
| Population Total: | 11092 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Telugu |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code Type: | PIN |
| Postal Code: | 522256 |
| Area Code: | +91– |
| Registration Plate: | AP |
Bhattiprolu is a village in Bapatla district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the headquarters of Bhattiprolu mandal in Tenali revenue division.[4] The Buddhist stupa in the village is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance.[5] One of the earliest evidence of Brahmi script in South India comes from Bhattiprolu. The script was written on an urn containing Buddha's relics. The script has been named Bhattiprolu script.
The original name of Bhattiprolu was Pratipalapura, a flourishing town in the ancient Sala kingdom that predated Andhra Satavahanas. From available inscriptional evidence, King Kuberaka was ruling over Bhattiprolu around 230 BCE. Bhattiprolu is well known for its Buddha stupa (Vikramarka kota dibba) built about 3rd-2nd century BCE.
See main article: Bhattiprolu script. Three mounds were discovered in Bhattiprolu in 1870. In 1892 when excavations were undertaken by Alexander Rea, three inscribed stone relic caskets containing crystal caskets, relics of Buddha and jewels were found.[6] The stupa was found to be 40 meters in diameter with an additional basement of 2.4 meters wide running all around. The most significant discovery is the crystal relic casket of Sarira Dhatu of the Buddha from the central mass of the stupas. The Mahachaitya (great stupa) remains of a large pillared hall, a large group of ruined votive stupas with several images of Buddha, a stone receptacle containing copper vessel, which in turn, contained two more, a silver casket and within it, a gold casket enclosing beads of bone and crystal were found.
One of the earliest evidence of Brahmi script in South India comes from Bhattiprolu.[7] The script was written on an urn containing Buddha's relics. The script has been named Bhattiprolu script.
The Bhattiprolu script is related to the Telugu-Brahmi, and is found in nine early inscriptions on stupa relic caskets discovered at Bhattiprolu (Andhra Pradesh). According to Richard Salomon, the Bhattiprolu script reflects innovations in a Dravidian language context, rather than Indo-Aryan languages. Both the Bhattiprolu and Telugu Brahmi share common modifications to represent Dravidian languages. The Bhattiprolu was likely a provincial offshoot of early southern Brahmi script, states Salomon.
"A Manual of the Krishna District in the Presidency of Madras" (1883) mentions Public Works Department at that time having demolished beautiful marble pillars, central casket and used the remains in the sluice flowing 2 miles east of Bhattiprolu.[8] Bhattiprolu Union Panchayat was established in 1892 under Madras local boards act.[9]
It is spread over an area of 2515ha.
Bhattiprolu gram panchayat is the local self-government of the village.[10] [11] The village forms a part of Andhra Pradesh Capital Region and is under the jurisdiction of APCRDA.[12]
The village has connectivity with National Highway 216 (India) which passes through the village. APSRTC operates buses from Tenali and Repalle via Bhattiprolu. Bhattiprolu railway station is located on Tenali–Repalle branch line and administered under Guntur railway division of South Central Railway zone.[13]
As per the school information report for the academic year 2018–19, the village has a total of 14 schools. These include 4 MPP, one other type and 9 private schools and famous school is T.M.RAO HIGH SCHOOL[14]