Epigraphia Indica Vol 20

SR No.: 032574
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1929
Total Pages: 188
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 40 MB

Page 66

No. 4. ]
A SUNGA INSCRIPTION FROM AYODHYA.
The inscription consists of two lines. The first line appears to be complete, though it is difficult to say that the portion of the slab hidden under the sill of the doorframe does not contain one or more lines. Of the second line, the left hand portion is completely effaced, though some slight traces that have survived make it certain that the whole of this portion was originally inscribed. The characters are Brāhmi which show considerable resemblance with the inscriptions of the Northern Kshatrapas and some archaic votive inscriptions from Mathurā. The characteristics of this type are discussed in Bühler's Indian Palaeography and these are the equalization of all the upper verticals except in la, the constant use of the serif and of the angular forms of gha, ja, pa, pha, ma, la, sha and ha. Another peculiarity of the Brāhmi script of this period is the slightly bent base line of the letter na. The inscription under discussion exhibits all these peculiarities in a marked degree and should be classed with those mentioned above. The document is written in correct Sanskrit and is thus one of the few early inscriptions recorded in that language. The only grammatical mistake noticed in it is the use of Dharmarājñā in place of Dharmarājēna.
The document has already been dealt with by several scholars, the first of whom was the discoverer, Babu Jagannath Das Ratna kara? himself. This article is written in Hindi and is accompanied by an inked impression of the inscription together with an improved hand-copy prepared by Mr. Ratnakara himself. Mahāmahõpādhyāya Pandit Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojhs of the Rājputana Museum, Ajmēr, dealt with the document in the same volume of the NāgariPracharini Patrikā, as well as in his report of that Museum for the year ending 31st March 1924, pp. 1-2. Mr. K. P. Jayaswal has devoted three articles to the subject. Other scholars, who have dealt with this inscription, are Mr. N. K. Bhattasali, Dr. A. Bannerji-Šāstris and Mr. N. G. Majumdar.? The inscription has, however, not yet been dealt with in any of the official publications of the Archaeological Department and my object in editing it in this journal is to bring together the various views expressed by scholars on this important inscription and to record my own impressions of the same.
The inscription records the erection of a shrine or other memorial in honour of Phalgudēva, the father of the Dharmarāja . . ... Dhana (odēva, obhūti, etc.), Lord of Kõsala, son of Kausiki, the sixth of the Senapati Pushyamitra, who had performed the Abvamëdha twice.
The inscription is inrportant for more reasons than one. It is the first inscription on stone or metal yet discovered which mentions the name of Pushyamitra, the celebrated founder of the Sunga dynasty. Hitherto he was only known from literary sources, e.g., the Divyāvadāna (XXIX), Patañjali's Mahābhashya (III-2-123), where reference is made to a sacrifice performed by him, some of the Purānas, Kālidāsa's drama, the Mālavikāgnimitra, etc. The passages referring to the Sunga dynasty in the Vishnu and the Bhagavata Purānas are quoted in parallel columns in Pargiter's The Purana Text of the Dynasties of the Kali Age, pp. 30-33. From the extract from the former we learn that the dynasty was founded by the General Pushyamitra after he had slain the last Maurya king Brihadratha. His son was Agnimitra, who was succeeded by Vagujyështha. The latter's son was Vasumitra and his son Andhraka. He was succeeded by Pulinda ka and the
1 Ind. Ant., VOL. XXXIII, 1904, Appendix, p. 40. *Nagari-Pracharini-Patriki, Vol. V, pt. 1, pp. 99-104. "Ibid., pp. 201, seq.
Modern Review, October 1924, PP, 430-32, J. B. &0. R. 8., 1924, Vol. X, pp. 202-208, and ibid., Vol. XIII, pp. 247-49. (Here Mr. Jayaswal has given good facsimiles of this inscription. -Ed.)
. Modern Review, February 1925, p. 202. • Ibid., January 1925, pp. 59-60. Annals of the Bhandarkar Institute, Vol. VII, pts, I and II, pp. 160-163.