PPRC 2025
Batch 1 – #A&M_A&C003
Important inscription of Ancient India
#1. Pre-Ashokan:
1) Sohgaura copper plate inscriptions:
• Located in Gorakhpur (UP)
• The Sohgaura copper plate, the earliest known copper plate, is a Mauryan record that mentions
famine relief efforts.
• Belong to Mauryan period but before Ashoka.
• It is one of India's few pre-Ashoka Brahmi inscriptions.
#2. Ashokan Period:
1) Rummindei Pillar Edicts (Lumbini)
• mention Ashoka's visit to Lumbini (Rummindei), Rupandehi district, Nepal, Lord Buddha's
birthplace.
• Ashoka exempted Lumbini from paying taxes and set its grain contribution at one-eighth.
• Brahmi script is used to write the inscriptions.
2) Kalsi Inscription
• Kalsi is well-known for its historical significance. It is a small town on the banks of the Yamuna
River located between Chakrata and Dehradun.
• The site of Ashoka's inscriptions at Kalsi is unique in that it is the only place in North India where
the great Mauryan emperor inscribed the entire set of fourteen rock edicts.
• The language and script of these edicts are Prakrit and Brahmi, respectively.
• It also reflects policies promoting nonviolence and the limitation of war.
• The inscription also describes his life before he chose the spiritual path.
3) Maski Inscription
• Maski is a village and archaeological site in Karnataka's Raichur district. It is located on the
banks of the Maski River, a tributary of the Tungabhadra.
• It was Emperor Ashoka's first edict that included the name Ashoka rather than
'Devanampriya' or 'Piyadassi.’
4) Kalinga Edicts:
• written in Magadhi Prakrita with an early Brahmi script.
• In this inscription he talks about virtue of peace and non-violence.
5) Shahbazgarhi:
• Shahbazgarhi in Pakistan is known for rock edicts of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka
#3. Post-Ashokan
1) Hathigumpha Inscription (2nd century BC)
• Located in Orissa.
• King Kharavela inscribed the Hathigumpha Inscription, also known as the Elephant Cave
Inscription, from the Udayagiri-Khandagiri Caves in Odisha during the second century BCE.
• The main source of information about Kalinga ruler Kharavela is the Hathigumpha
Inscription at Udayagiri Caves.
• The Hathigumpha Inscription tells the story of Kharavela as a king, conqueror, patron of culture,
and Jainism champion.
• only inscription in India that gives year-by-year descriptions of a ruler's accomplishments.
2) Besnagar/ Vidisha Inscription
• Located at the ancient site of Vidisha in present Madhya Pradesh state.
• This pillar inscription was constructed by Heloidorus, the Greek ambassador and belongs to
Sunga period (2nd century BC).
• Written in Prakrit language (with a few Sanskritic spelling) and Brahmi script.
• This pillar inscription is devoted to lord Vasudev.
• Remains of large temple of the late Paramara period known as Bijamamandal found here.
3) Junagadh/ Girnar rock inscription
Rudradaman's Junagarh rock inscription, also known as Rudradaman's Girnar rock inscription.
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PPRC 2025
Batch 1 – #A&M_A&C003
The inscription was written about the year 150 CE. The Junagarh inscription has inscriptions of
Ashoka (one of fourteen Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka), Rudradaman I, and Skandagupta.
It talks about renovation of Sudarshan lake by Rudradaman.
it provides insight into water management in ancient India.
It is written in Sanskrit which is first inscription written in long Sanskrit.
#4. Satvahana Period (1st Century BC-3rd century AD.)
1) Nasik Inscription
• Gutamiputra Satkarni's achievements were recounted in the Nasik Inscription, which was written
by his mother Gautami Balasri.
• Gautamiputra is described as the ruler in the Nasik Prasasti.
• Gautamiputra fought Saka King Nahapana and regained his dynasty's reputation, according to the
story.
2) Nanaghat Inscription
• The principal sources for specific information on the Satavahana kingdom are the Nasik and
Nanaghat inscriptions.
• Gautami Balasari carved the Nasik inscription, while Naganika carved the Nanaghat inscription.
3) Kanganhalli or Sanatti Inscription:
• Belong to 1st century BC.
• Satvahana Period.
• Located in Karnataka near Bhima River.
• Contains portraits of King Ashoka and Satvahana rulers like Simuka and Pulumavi.
• Inspired from Amravati school of art.
• mention the real name of Ashoka and do not refer
him with titles like Devnampriya Piyadassi.
• It mention the name of Ashoka as Ranyo Ashoka (King Ashoka)
• Written in Brahmi script.
• It is the only place where Ashokan portrait can be found.
#5. Gupta period (400-600 AD)
1) Mehrauli Inscription:
• This pillar was built in honor of Lord Vishnu by Chandragupta-II of the Gupta dynasty as
Vishnupada.
• Also called Garuda pillar as a sculpture of Garuda was installed on its top.
• originally located on a hill near the Beas River and was transported to Delhi by a Delhi king. It is
now located in Delhi in the Qutub Minar complex.
• It is notable for the rust-resistant metals used in its construction.
• It talks about victory of Chandragupta against VAkataka rulers.
2) Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prasasti) (335–375 AD) :
• Prashasti is a eulogy that means "in praise of someone."
• The Allahabad Prasasti was first inscribed on the Ashokan Pillar in Kausambhi, near Allahabad.
• It was later relocated to the Allahabad fort.
• It is an Ashokan Stambh, but it has four different inscriptions,
• The standard Ashokan inscriptions in Brahmi script are found on all pillars.
• The Queen's edict lauding Ashoka's wife Kaurwaki's charitable deeds.
• Inscriptions of Samudragupta written by Harisena in Sanskrit and Brahmi script. It discusses
Samudragupta's conquests and the boundaries of the Gupta Empire.
• Jahangir’s Persian inscriptions.
#6. Post-Gupta period
1) Aihole Inscriptions (610 AD)
• Aihole in Karnataka was the Chalukyas' first capital.
• Written in Sanskrit using Kanadda script.
• Was written by court poet of Pulkesin II name Ravikirti.
• Talks about defeat of Harshvardhan of Vardhan dynasty by Pulkesin II of Chalukya [Link]
also mentions the capital's relocation from Aihole to Badami.
Forum Learning Centre: Delhi - 2nd Floor, IAPL House, 19 Pusa Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005 | Patna - 2nd floor, AG Palace, E Boring Canal
Road, Patna, Bihar 800001 | Hyderabad - 1st & 2nd Floor, SM Plaza, RTC X Rd, Indira Park Road, Jawahar Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500020
9311740400, 9311740900 | [Link] | admissions@[Link] | helpdesk@[Link]
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