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4. SANSKRIT
probably for the first time with reference to the language" [ Encyclopaedia Brittanica 22 'Langs', p. 616 ] It is to be noted that extant versions of the Ramayana date only to the centuries AD.
Asokan Script - The first inscriptions in Indian history are in Prakrit and not in Sanskrit. These are by the Mauryan King Ashoka (c. 273 BC-232 BC), and number over 30. They date to the 4th century BC. The script utilised is not sacred' Devanagari, and the language is not
Mother' Sanskrit. They are mostly in the Brahmi script, while 2 inscriptions are in Kharoshtri. They are in various Prakrits and some in Afghanistan are in Greek and Aramaic [ Inscriptions: Their Literary Value I', R. Basak, Cultural Heritage of India' vol. 5, p. 390-406, p. 390-1 ]. In fact all inscriptions in India were in Prakrit till the early centuries AD : "The earlier inscriptions up to the 1st century AD, were all in Prakrit" -- [ Prakrit Language and Literature', Cultural Heritage of India vol. 5, 164-183, A. N. Upadhye., p. 164 ]
Satavahana Inscriptions - The Satavahanas, the first historical dynasty of the Deccan, also used a Prakrit language. There is no usage of Sanskrit. The Nagarjunikonda insrciptions are by the Satvahana king Vijaya Satakarni in the early 3rd cetnruy AD & end with the Ikshvaku Rudrapurusadatta who ruled for 11 years in the second quarter of the 4th century. Most of the large number of inscriptions are in Prakrit and only a few belonging to Ehuvulu Santamula are in Sanskrit (he ruled during the last 24 years of the 3rd to the early 4th century AD ) but even most of his inscriptions are in Prakrit and those which are in Sasnkrit are heavily influenced by Prakrit [ Bhatt., p. 408 ftn. 46 ).
The Nanaghat cave inscriptions in Poona distt. are in Prakrit and are the work of the Satavahana Satakarni I. They have been dated to the first half of the 1st century BC. The contemporary relgiion of this region was Vedic. Indra and Vasudev are mentioned as the Vedic gods then worshipped [ Basak, p. 395 ]. The later cave inscriptions of Nasik in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD are in the local Prakrit [ Basak, p. 395 ]. Thus, although the Vedic religion was followed in the Satavahana regions, Sanksrit was not in use.
Gandhari - Even Gandhari existed prior to Sanskrit. The Pali Dhammapada in Gandhari was discovered at Khotan in Kharoshtri script. It dates to the 1st or 2nd century AD. A Gandhari inscription was discovered on a copper casket containing relics of the Lord Sakyamuni [Basak, p. 393].
Kharavela's Kalinga Inscription - Kharavela's Kalingan inscription of the 1st century BC were in a Prakrit of the east indian type. Interseting is the first mention of the word
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