Gupta and Later Inscriptions in India

Gupta and Later Inscriptions in India

Inscriptions of the Gupta Period

Samudragupta's Prayag (Allahabad) Prashasa Inscription (360 AD):

• This pillar inscription stands inside the fort at Allahabad and not in its original place, Prayag (Kosambi).

• The Prashasti (Leeulogy) inscribed on it was composed by Harishena, the Mahasandhivigrah (the minister of peace and war) of Samudragupta.

• It is written in the Sanskrit language and the Brahmi script.

• The earlier part of the inscription is composed in verse, while the later part of the inscription is in prose.

• It throws light on the coronation of Samudragupta, his conquest in all directions, and his personality.

• There is a long sentence running into 33 lines.

The content of:

• 7–8th line – Announcement of Chandragupta-I at the court that Samundragupta will be his successor, jealousy felt by "Tulyakulajas" due to the coronation of Samudragupta

• 13th line – Victory over Achyut and Nagasena, annexation of Pataliputra

• 17–18th line – Samudragupta described as 'one whose only ally was valour (Parakrama) through the might of his arm', 'whose body is covered with scar-marks caused by various weapons'

• 19–20th line – Victory over 12 rulers of Dakshinapatha

• 21st line – Defeating of the 9 rulers of the Naga dynasty at Kosambi

• 22nd line – Victory over Atawik; subordination accepted by 5 states of the Eastern border region

• 24th line – Subordination accepted by Kider-Kushan ruler Devaputra Shahi Shahanushahi, Saka ruler Rudrasena-III, Saka-Murund ruler, Sinhali (Sri Lankan) king Meghavarna, Jawa, Sumatra & Malay islands

• 27th line – Samudragupta was described as "Kaviraja" because he was so expert in music that Narad and Tumbaru were ashamed.

• 28th line – Samudragupta described as "Patron of Scholars"

• 29–30th line – Samudragupta described as "Lichchhawi Dauhitra", "Maharajadhiraja", "Avtar" (incarnation) of "Vishnu", "Prachir (wall) bound with Dharma" (religion), etc.

Samudragupta's Eran Inscription

• In this inscription, Samudragupta is called "Sarvarajochchheta" (i.e., uprooter of all kings).

• According to this inscription, he was married to Datta Devi.

• It states that "Erikini" (i.e. Eran) was his "Swabhoganagar" (i.e. personal Jagir)

Samudragupta's Nalanda Copper Plate Inscription

• It is found in a "Vihar" (i.e., monastery) in Nalanda of Bihar state.

• It is written in the Sanskrit language and the Brahmi script.

• This copper plate inscription of a donative nature contains the conditions under which "Agrahar" (i.e., land grant) had been given to Brahmanas by the donor.

• It contains the Gupta genealogy (from Sripapta to Samudragupta).

Samudragupta's Gaya Copper Plate Inscription

• It is a Round from the Gaya state of Bihar.

• The content of this inscription is similar to the content of his Nalanda copper plate inscription.

Chandragupta II's Udaygiri Inscription

• It is inscribed on two caves at Udaygın hills near Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh state.

• The first cave was engraved by a feudatory belonging to the Sankanik region of Chandragupta-II, and the second cave by Veersen Shab, Sandhivigrhik (minister of peace and war) of Chandragupta-II.

• This inscription throws light on the victory over the western region by Chandragupta II.

Chadra's Meharauli (Delhi) Iron Pillar Inscription

It is concerned with the king named Chandra (identified as the Gupta ruler Chandragupta II by scholars, mostly).

Kumargupta-l's Damodarpur Copper Plate Inscription

• It is found at Damodarpur in Dinajpur district of Northern Bengal.

• It is written in the Sanskrit language and the Brahmi script.

• This inscription confirms that North Bengal was a part of Kumargupta I's empire.

• It throws light on the state organisation and administrative system of the Gupta period.

Kumargupta I's Mandsore Stone Inscription

• It is inscribed on a stone piece of an embankment at the Sivana River in Mandsore of Madhya Pradesh.

• It throws light on the decline of commerce and industries in the Later Gupta Period.

• This inscription describes that a guild of silk-weavers migrated from Lat (Southern Gujarat) to Dashpur (Mandsore) due to the decline in the silk industry.

• They settled in Dashpur (Mandsore) and constructed there a temple dedicated to the god Surya (the Sun).

Skandagupta's Gimar/Junagadh Inscription

• It throws light on the provincial administration of Skandagupta.

• It describes the appointment of Gopta (ie, Provincial Governor) and the qualities of an ideal Gopta.

• It contains the information that the embankment of Sudarsana Lake was damaged once again.

• It was repaired by Chakrapalita, the Purapati (Le head of the city) of Girnar city and son of Parnadatta, the Gopta of Saurashtra.

• In this inscription, Kumargupta is described as "Kalyankari Raja" (Le. benevolent king) and Chakrapalita as 'Adarsh Nagar Rakshak (Le. Ideal city protector)

Skandagupta's Bhitari Pillar Inscription

• It is inscribed on a pillar which is situated outside the Bhitari village in the Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh state.

• It is written in the Sanskrit language and the Brahmi script.

• It describes the erection of a pillar, the construction of a temple in which the statue of Bhagwan Sharngi (ie, God Vishnu) was established, and the donation of revenue received from Bhitari village for the expenses of the temple by Skandagupta.

• It contains the Gupta genealogy (from Srigupta to Skandagupta). It mentions the invasion of the Huns.

Skandagupta's Indore Copper Plate Inscription

• It contains the information about a Saur Sampradaya (Le, community concerned with the Sun), Tailika Shreni (i.e., Guild of oil-millers) that worked like a bank and an administrative unit named Anturvedi and their administrator, Sharvanoge.

Bhanugupta's Eran Stone Inscription (510 AD)

• It is found in Eran in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh.

• It describes the battle between Bhanugupta and Hon Invader Tormana. Goparaj, a fradatory of Bhangpts, was killed during the battle, and his wife entered the mass of fire (funeral pyres).

• This is the first archaeological evidence of San-Pratha tie the custom of immolation of a widow after the death of her husband, in ancient India.

Tormana's Eran Varah Statue Inscription

• It is inscribed on a statue of Varah found in the Eran Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh.

• It describes the political achievements and religious interests of the Hun ruler Tromana.

Later Inscriptions

Harshavardhana's Bamkhers Copper Matt Inscription

• It is found in Banskhera in Shahichanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

• It throws light on the administration and economy of Harshavardhana.

• It gives an account of the donation of a tax-free village, namely Markat (Vishaya-Angdiya, Bhukti-Ahichhotra) to two Brahmanas by Harshavardhana.

• It contains a replica of the signature of Harshavardhana that clarifies that he was a good calligraphist

Yashodharmana's Mandsone Stone Pillar Inscription

• It was inscribed by the Malwa ruler Yashodharmana.

• According to this inscription, he defeated the Hun ruler Mihirkula and annexed Malwa.

Mihirbhoja's Cwaliar Prashasti Inscription

• It was Inscribed by Pratthara King Mihirbhoja.

• In the Inscription, Mihirbhoja is described as a great conqueror. Competent administrator and benevolent ruler.

Parmara Bhoja's Dhara Prashasti Inscription

• It throws light on the political and cultural achievements of Bhoja of the Parmara Dynasty.

Vijayasen Devpara Prashasti Inscription

• It describes the events that occurred during the reign of Vijayasen, the founder of the Sen dynasty.

Final Thoughts

The inscriptions of the Gupta period offer valuable insights into the empire's political strength, administrative structure, cultural achievements, and international relations.

They highlight the accomplishments of rulers like Samudragupta and Chandragupta II, as well as evolving social and religious practices.

Later inscriptions continue this historical record, making these epigraphs essential sources for understanding ancient India's rich legacy.