Among the renowned Buddhist centers in Andhra Pradesh, Bhattiprolu is one of the oldest, with its roots tracing back to ancient times.

Originally known as Pratipalapura, this flourishing Buddhist town was part of the ancient Sala kingdom that predates the Andhra Satavahanas.

[9] Excavations conducted at the site have revealed important linguistic evidence, showcasing the early use of the Telugu language dating back to the 3rd century BC.

[11] Further excavations uncovered remnants of a large pillared hall and a group of ruined votive stupas, along with several images of the Buddha.

Importantly, Bhattiprolu is home to one of the earliest examples of Brahmi script in South India, found on an urn that denotes it as containing Buddha's relics.

Additionally, the Jain literature known as "Dharmamrutham" refers to Pratipalapuram as a prominent Buddhist center in the ancient Ikshvaku empire, underscoring the significance of Bhattiprolu in the region's cultural and religious history.

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.

"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.