Dr C Somasundara Rao, born in 1940, is a distinguished historian and epigraphist specialising in Andhra history, epigraphy, palaeography and numismatics. He joined Andhra University’s Department of History & Archaeology in 1963 and became Professor in 1985.
His landmark publication, Inscriptions of Andhra Pradesh (2014; 2nd ed., 2024), traces Telugu script from Brahmi through Telugu-Kannada, incorporating palaeographical tables, photographs, chronograms and nearly 700 numeral examples with Saka dates. Other major works include Studies in Andhra History and Culture (2019) and South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. XLII (2020), spanning the Mauryan to Vijayanagara periods. He has edited copperplate grants of the Eastern Gangas, the Chalukyas of Vengi, the Kakatiyas, and the Kona Haihayas.
His research has advanced understanding of Satavahana chronology, Khandavalli and Kona Haihaya grants, the Soraikkavur plates, and the Ashtadiggajas. He has identified significant inscriptional features including the Daya-gaja-Kesari legend and distinctive Vaishnavite seal symbols.