Epigraphia Indica Vol 10

SR No.: 032564
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sten Konow, V Venkayya
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1909
Total Pages: 450
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 224

APPENDIX.
A LIST OF BRĀHMĪ INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO
ABOUT A.D. 400 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE OF ASOKA.
BY PROFESSOR H. LÜDERA; ROSTOCK.
The following list of early Brahmi inscriptions has been prepared as a supplement to the excellent lists of inscriptions of Northern and Soathern India publis! ed by the late Professor Kielhorn. It is intended to give all Brahmi inscriptions from the earliest times to about the end of the fourth century A.D. found in the periodicals and Government pablications accessible to me, with the exception of the Asoka inscriptions, the bibliography of which would require a different form. I have included also a few inscriptions which, though probably being of a somewhat later date, in form and tenor agree with the earlier insoriptions. But I have as a rule excluded such inscriptions as appear in Professor Kielhorn's lists, even if they show the characteristic features of the earlier inscriptions and in a definite collection therefore would probably have to be classed with them. I bave excluded on purpose also all seal inscriptions.
The principles according to which the list has been compiled are the same as those adopted by Professor Kielhorn, with one exception. When an inscription has been edited several times, Professor Kielhorn generally states only where it has been published last. In the case of the earlier inscriptions, the reading and interpretation of which is often much disputed, it appeared to me impracticable to follow that course, and I have on this account endeavoured to give a complete bibliography of every inscription. Of mere references, however, I have quoted only such as bear on the reading or interpretation of the text of the records. It would have been useless to notice all passages where an inscription has been made use of for general historical purposes. In the statements of the contents of the inscriptions I have quoted every proper dame mentioned in tre text, in the case of Prakrit nemes adding, if possible, the Sanskrit equivalent, and I have given also the original term for all words denoting & vooation, profession, eto., as a perfectly accurate translation of these terms is often difficult or even impossible. In accordance with Professor Kielborn's lists I have also tried to indicate where an insoription is at the present time. For a few references I am indebted to the list of Brahmi inscriptions given by Professor 0. Franke in his work Pali und Sanshorit, pp. 10 and ff.
The arrangement of the inscriptions is made from a geographical point of view. As the greater part of the inscriptions are private reoords and not dated, any other arrangement is hardly practicable.
A look at the bibliography of these inscriptions will show how much labour has already been spent on them, and yet it cannot be denied that much still remains to be done. The band of real scholars that have worked at them has been comparatively small. To a great extent this is undoubtedly due to the difficulty of taking in at a glance the widely scattered materials. If in spite of its imperfections, which are well known to me, the present lists should contribute towards the removing of this obstacle, I shall deem to have accomplished my objeot.