Master10
Archaeology, Epigraphy & Ancient Inscriptions Module

Royal Prashastis, Pillar Inscriptions & Dynasties

Royal prashastis (eulogistic inscriptions) developed into a sophisticated Sanskrit literary genre during the classical and early medieval eras, providing indispensable dynastic genealogies, military campaigns, and administrative achievements. Among the most illustrious is the Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti), composed by court poet Harishena in ornate Champu Kavya style, detailing the extensive military conquests of Gupta Emperor Samudragupta. The Junagadh Rock Inscription of Saka ruler Rudradaman I (c. 150 CE) stands as one of the earliest long inscriptions in chaste Classical Sanskrit, recording the reconstruction of the ancient Sudarshana Lake dam. In the Deccan, the Aihole Inscription of 634 CE, composed in Sanskrit by the Jain poet Ravikirti, immortalised the Western Chalukya monarch Pulakeshin II and his defeat of Northern Emperor Harsha on the banks of the Narmada.

Key Concepts & Examination Highlights

  • The Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar) was composed by Harishena in Sanskrit Champu style celebrating the conquests of Samudragupta.
  • The Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman I (150 CE) is the earliest extensive epigraphic record in classical Sanskrit, chronicling repairs to the Sudarshana Lake.
  • The Aihole Inscription was composed by poet Ravikirti in 634 CE, recording the victory of Chalukya King Pulakeshin II over King Harsha of Kannauj.
  • The Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription in Delhi commemorates the military victories of King 'Chandra', widely identified as Chandragupta II Vikramaditya.
  • The Uttaramerur Inscription in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, issued in 921 CE under Chola King Parantaka I, provides detailed rules for democratic local village self-governance (Sabha and Kudavolai ballot system).
  • The Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription in Delhi records the military conquests across Bengal and Vahlika (Bactria) by King Chandra, widely identified as Chandragupta II.
  • The Nanaghat Inscription in Maharashtra, issued by Queen Nayanika (Naganika) of the Satavahana dynasty, records the earliest epigraphic evidence of royal land grants (Brahmadeya) to Brahmins.
  • The Heliodorus Pillar Inscription at Vidisha (Besnagar), Madhya Pradesh (c. 113 BCE), records that Greek ambassador Heliodorus erected a Garuda standard in honor of Lord Vasudeva as a Bhagavata convert.
  • The Nasik Cave Inscription, inscribed by Gautami Balashri, eulogizes her son Gautamiputra Satakarni as 'Ekabrahmana' and the destroyer of the Sakas, Yavanas, and Pahlavas.
  • The Gwalior Inscription of Mihira Bhoja (c. 836–885 CE) details the genealogy and imperial achievements of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty.
  • The Eran Stone Pillar Inscription of Bhanugupta in Madhya Pradesh (510 CE) contains the earliest definite epigraphic reference to the practice of Sati (widow burning following Goparaja's death in battle).
  • The Junagadh Inscription of Skandagupta (456 CE) records the bursting and subsequent restoration of the Sudarshana Lake dam by his provincial governor Parnadatta and son Chakrapalita.
  • The Mandasor Inscription of Kumaragupta I and Bandhuvarman (473 CE), composed by poet Vatsabhatti, records the construction of a grand Sun temple by a guild of silk weavers (Tantuvaya).
  • The Talagunda Pillar Inscription in Shimoga, Karnataka, composed in Sanskrit by poet Kubja, traces the dynastic origin of the Kadamba dynasty founded by Mayurasharman.
  • The Halmidi Inscription (c. 450 CE) in Hassan district, Karnataka, represents the earliest known epigraphic record written in the classical Kannada language and script.
  • The Hathigumpha Inscription in the Udayagiri hills near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, inscribed in Prakrit Brahmi, chronicles the seventeen-year reign of King Kharavela of the Chedi dynasty.
  • The Nanaghat Inscription of Queen Nayanika features life-sized relief sculptures of Satavahana royalty and provides the earliest epigraphic list of sacrificial dakshinas.
  • The Junagadh Inscription of Rudradaman I is notable for being composed in chaste Vaidarbhi Sanskrit prose, proving that classical Sanskrit had replaced Prakrit in western royal courts by the 2nd century CE.
  • The Aihole Inscription of Pulakeshin II mentions both Kalidasa and Bharavi by name, establishing a firm terminus ante quem for these classical Sanskrit poets.
  • The Aphsad Inscription of Adityasena in Gaya, Bihar, details the genealogy of the Later Guptas of Magadha following the collapse of the imperial Gupta empire.
  • The Mehrauli Iron Pillar, carrying a six-line Sanskrit inscription praising King Chandra's conquest of Vanga (Bengal) and the Vahlikas across the seven mouths of the Indus, has resisted rust for over 1,600 years.
  • The Sanjan Copper Plates of Rashtrakuta King Amoghavarsha I (871 CE) detail the military triumphs of Govinda III across northern and southern India.
  • The Banskhera Copper Plate Inscription in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, contains the authentic calligraphic signature and royal land grant of Emperor Harsha of Kannauj.
  • The Madhuban Copper Plate Inscription of Harsha (631 CE) records tax exemptions granted to two learned Brahmins in the Shravasti region.
  • The Badal Pillar Inscription of Guravamisra in Dinajpur, West Bengal, details the military campaigns of Pala Emperor Devapala against the Hunas, Gurjaras, and Dravidas.
  • The Prayagraj (Allahabad) Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti) was composed in chaste classical Sanskrit by court poet Harisena to commemorate the extensive conquests of Gupta Emperor Samudragupta.
  • The Prayag Prashasti classifies Samudragupta's campaigns into four strategic policies: Prasabhoddharana (violent extermination) in Aryavarta, Grahana-Mokshanugraha (capture, release, and reinstatement) in Dakshinapatha, and tribute treaties with frontier states.
  • The Junagadh Rock Inscription of Western Kshatrapa ruler Rudradaman I, dated to 150 CE, is the earliest lengthy inscription written in chaste classical Sanskrit in India.
  • Rudradaman's Junagadh Inscription records the history of the Sudarshana Lake dam in Saurashtra, built under Chandragupta Maurya by Pushyagupta, channelled by Ashoka's governor Tushaspha, and restored by Rudradaman's minister Suvishakha.
  • The Junagadh Inscription of Gupta Emperor Skandagupta (456 CE) records another restoration of the broken Sudarshana Lake dam by his governor Parnadatta and his son Chakrapalita.
  • The Aihole Inscription in Bagalkot district of Karnataka was composed in Sanskrit by Jain court poet Ravikirti in 634 CE to celebrate the achievements of Chalukya monarch Pulakeshin II.
  • The Aihole Inscription records Pulakeshin II's famous military victory over Emperor Harshavardhana of Kannauj on the banks of the Narmada River, preventing Harsha's southward expansion.
  • The Aihole Inscription contains the earliest epigraphic mention of the dates of the Mahabharata War and explicitly mentions the classical poets Kalidasa and Bharavi.
  • The Hathigumpha Inscription on Udayagiri Hill near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, written in Prakrit and Brahmi script, records the biographical timeline of Chedi King Kharavela of Kalinga in the 1st century BCE.
  • The Hathigumpha Inscription contains the earliest known epigraphic reference to the geographic term 'Bharatavarsha' and details Kharavela's public canals and military triumphs.
  • The Nasik Cave Inscription (Prashasti) of Gautami Balashri, mother of Satavahana king Gautamiputra Satakarni, praises him as 'Trisamudratoyapitavahana' (whose horses drank water from three seas).
  • The Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription in Delhi, composed in Sanskrit verse, commemorates King Chandra's military victories across Bengal and across the seven mouths of the Indus into Bactria (Vahlika).
  • The Gwalior Prashasti of Gurjara-Pratihara king Mihira Bhoja I details the genealogy of the dynasty and records their fierce resistance against Arab invasions from Sindh.
  • The Khalimpur Copper Plate Inscription of Pala King Dharmapala records that Gopala, the founder of the Pala dynasty, was elected as king by the people to end widespread political anarchy ('Matsyanyaya').
  • The Uttaramerur Inscriptions of Chola King Parantaka I (919 and 921 CE) in Kanchipuram district provide comprehensive constitutional rules for election to village administrative committees (Variyams) using the Kudavolai secret ballot lottery.
  • The Talagunda Pillar Inscription in Shimoga district, Karnataka, composed by poet Kubja, documents the rise of Mayurasharma, founder of the Kadamba dynasty of Banavasi.
  • The Banskhera and Madhuban Copper Plate Inscriptions contain the authentic royal signatures and land grants of Emperor Harshavardhana of Kannauj.
  • The Deopara Prashasti of King Vijayasena of the Sena dynasty of Bengal was composed by the celebrated Sanskrit court poet Umapatidhara.
  • The Nanaghat Inscription of Satavahana Queen Nayanika (Naganika), widow of Satakarni I, records the performance of Vedic sacrifices (Ashvamedha, Rajasuya) and the earliest epigraphic grant of tax-free land to Brahmins.
  • The Eran Inscription of Samudragupta describes the emperor's virtuous character, exceptional generosity compared to Dhanada (Kubera), and invincible valour.
  • The Mandsaur (Dashapura) Inscription of Kumaragupta I and Bandhuvarman, composed by poet Vatsabhatti, records the construction and renovation of a grand Sun temple by a wealthy guild of silk weavers (Tantuvaya).
  • The Heliodorus Pillar Inscription at Besnagar (Vidisha) in Madhya Pradesh, inscribed in Brahmi script in the late 2nd century BCE, records Greek ambassador Heliodorus erecting a Garuda pillar to God Vasudeva.
  • The Aphsad Inscription of Adityasena in Gaya district, Bihar, provides valuable genealogical information about the Later Gupta dynasty of Magadha.
  • The Kuram Copper Plates of Pallava King Paramesvaravarman I document Pallava victories over Chalukya King Vikramaditya I and land grants for constructing Shiva temples.
  • The Velvikudi Inscription of Pandya King Nedunjadayai (Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan), written in Tamil and Sanskrit, records the restoration of a traditional Brahmadeya village grant to the original Brahmin family.
Curriculum & Reference Sources: Epigraphia Indica Volumes, Romila Thapar's 'Ashoka and the Decline of the Mauryas', R.C. Majumdar's 'The Classical Age'.

Sample Solved Questions & Concept Explanations

8 Verified Concept Questions
Q1.EASY

The Prayag Prashasti, engraved on the Ashoka pillar in Allahabad in classical Sanskrit by court poet Harishena, eulogizes the military achievements of which Gupta emperor?

Q2.MEDIUM

The Aihole Inscription of 634 CE, composed by the Jain court poet Ravikirti, commemorates the military triumph of Chalukya King Pulakeshin II over which Northern monarch?

Q3.HARD

The Junagadh Rock Inscription of 150 CE, inscribed by the Western Kshatrapa ruler Rudradaman I, is historically renowned for which significant milestone?

Q4.EASY

The famous Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription in the Qutb Minar complex at Delhi eulogizes the military exploits of a king named 'Chandra', generally identified with which Gupta emperor?

Q5.EASY

The Hathigumpha Inscription on the Udayagiri Hills near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, engraved in Prakrit language, provides a year-by-year chronicle of the reign of which Kalinga king?

Q6.EASY

The Heliodorus Pillar Inscription (Garuda Pillar) at Vidisha (Besnagar), MP, erected around 113 BCE by a Greek ambassador from Taxila, records his devotion to which deity?

Q7.EASY

The Nanaghat Inscription in Maharashtra was commissioned by Queen Naganika to record the extensive Vedic sacrifices (such as Ashvamedha and Rajasuya) performed by which Satavahana king?

Q8.EASY

The famous Eran Stone Pillar Inscription in Madhya Pradesh, dated to 510 CE during the reign of King Bhanugupta, contains the earliest known epigraphic reference in India to which practice?