Indian Antiquary Vol 58

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 241

DECEMBER, 1929 ]
AN INSCRIPTION OF THE FOURTH OR FIFTH CENTURY B.C.
229
time watching for the shadow of the nat on the polished copper. When this appears, the officiant begins to dance, and gradually works herself into a state of ecstasy. The state of tension produced frequently causes the patient to do the same thing, with obvious results one way or the other, especially if, as not unseldom happens, this invocation of the possessing spirit is continued for two or three days." (Upper Burma Gazetteer, pt. i, vol. ii, p. 29).
It will be observed that the altar in question must be constructed somewhat on the same lines as the shrine in the plate. A NOTE ON AN ENSCRIPTION OF THE FOURTH OR FIFTH CENTURY B.C.
BY R. R. HALDER. This fragmentary inscription, 1 engraved on a white stone which formed part of a hexagonal pillar, was found in the temple of Bhilot Mata, about a mile from the village Baclis in Ajmer District. The stone, which is about 4' thick, has a cavity on one side, and had been used as a mortar. The surface has peeled off at some places, so that some of the letters are indistinct. It contains four lines of writing, which cover & space of about 1' X 10'. The letters are engraved on the front side, which measures about 8" x 10", and on portions of two adjacent sides. The average size of the letters is about 2'.
The characters are what is known as Brdhmi lipi and are referable approximately to the fourth or fifth century B.C. From the palæographic point of view, the sign of f in virdya (1.1) is worthy of note. Its form is unique, and it seems to belong to a period anterior to that of the inscriptions of Asoka. In fact, such a form is neither found in the inscriptions of Aboka, nor in the inscriptions of later period. The language is Prakpit mixed with Samskrit.
Fortunately, however, in the portion that is preserved, the inscription records the name Majhimike (1. 4), which undoubtedly stands for Madhyamika,3 an important town in ancient times. It is now called Nagari, situated about seven miles north of Chitor. The meaning of the word sdlimalini (1. 3) is not clear. Possibly it stands for silimalini, which may refer to the rice-fields that surrounded the town. The second line containing the word chatura. sitioase evidently means 84th year; while the words Viraya Bhagavate in the first line refer to Vira Bhagavan (Mahavfra) and show that the inscription belonged to some Jaina temple.
Now, the date of the inscription in l. 2 is open to question. Most probably, it refers to a period (84th year) to be reckoned from the nirvana of Mahavira, the last Tirthamkara of the Jainas, i.e., the Vira-nirvana Samvat, which corresponds to 528-27 B.c.4 According to this supposition, the date of the inscription would be equivalent to 528-84 = 444 B.O., or 443 B.C.
Thus we see that this is one of the rare records that belong to a period prior to that of Asokan inscriptions& conclusion corroborated by the unique form of í referred to above.
TEXT.6 Left adjacent side. Front side.
Righe adjacent side. 1. ..........1
[1] TT चनुरासिति व
[2] ये सा [नि] मालिनि 4... [fa] उमाझिमिके The Sanskrit equivalent of the above may be as follows -
1.... a pura ... 2.... efter ... 3... TIGMAT ...
4... Parte: a ... 1 It is now preserved in the Rajpatana Museum, Ajmer, and is referred to in the Annual Report of the Museum for the year 1911-12.
1 About 36 miles SE. of Ajmer.
Eco V. A. Smith's Early History of India, 4th edition, pp. 210, 227: I. A., VII, p. 266 67, Ibid., p. 49.
5 From the stone, .. Read मध्यमिकायामू.