Important Inscriptions of Ancient Indian History

Here we are providing a brief description of important Inscriptions of Ancient Indian History. Nowadays the number of questions from the history section is increasing in government exams like SSC CGL, RAILWAYS, BANKING, and other competitive exams. This content will improve the knowledge of the candidates preparing for the upcoming exams.

Inscription and Rock Edicts

• One of the main means of knowing ancient Indian history is the inscriptions and rock edicts of various rulers.
• These inscriptions contain important information about the time.
• It is only through this information that we get to know about the society and culture of the time.
• These inscriptions and rock edicts were engraved on stones, copper stones, caves, etc.
• It is a more reliable medium for writing historiography, as it cannot be changed with time.
• In ancient Indian history, we get information about various dynasties like the Maurya dynasty, the Gupta dynasty, etc, through these inscriptions and rock edicts.
• Some of the major inscriptions and rock edicts are as follows –
  
• Baihistun inscription
  This is the inscription of Dara I of 520 BC.
  It describes the contemporary 23 Parsik provinces.
  This inscription shows that Darius or Dara I made it his 20th province after the conquest of the Gandhara and Indus territories.
  
• Curtius inscription
  It describes the mutual relations between Taxila and Puru kingdoms.
  
• Mahasthan inscription
  This is the inscription of the Maurya ruler Chandragupta Maurya.
  It is obtained from Bengal.
  In this, there is a description of the famine during the time of Emperor Ashoka.
  
• Sohgaura inscription
  It has been received from the Gorakhpur district of present-day Uttar Pradesh.
  This is a copper plate.
  This is also a Mauryan article.
  It describes the granary.
  
• Garuda Pillar inscription
  This is an inscription of 2 B.C. 
  This inscription was established in Vidisha by Heliodorus in praise of Vasudeva. 
  At this time the ruler here was Bhagabhadra. 
  A messenger named Heliodorus was sent by the Yavana king Antialcidas.
  
• Bharhut Lekh
  This is an inscription of 2 B.C.
  It describes the meeting of Buddha and Ajatashatru.
  
• Kandahar inscription
  This inscription is of the Maurya period.
  In this inscription, Emperor Ashoka has appealed to the daughters-in-law and fishermen to establish peace.
  
• Guntur inscription
  This is an inscription of 2 B.C.
  In this inscription, there is a description of the Devil of Lord Narayana.
  
• Ghosundi inscription
  This is an inscription of 1st b.c. 
  This inscription describes the Bhagavata Dharma. 
  This is the oldest inscription in the Sanskrit language. 
  This inscription describes the worship of Vasudeva and Balarama and the Ashwamedha Yagya.
  
• Ayodhya Inscription
  This is the inscription of the Shunga ruler Pushyamitra Shunga.
  It is written in Sanskrit and Brahmi. 
  There is a description of the Ashwamedha Yagya being performed by Pushyamitra Shunga.
  
• Nanaghat inscription
  This is an inscription of 1st b.c. 
  This inscription was engraved by Nayanika, wife of Satavahana ruler Satakarni. 
  In this, Satakarni has been called “Dakshina Pathpati”. 
  There is a description of Satakarni performing Ashwamedha Yagya twice.
  
• Hathigumpha inscription
  This inscription is located in the Udayagiri district of Orissa state. 
  It is related to the Chedi ruler Kharavela. 
  In this inscription, there is a description of the invasion of Kalinga by the Nanda ruler and the construction of a dam there.
  
• Nagarjuna Konda inscription
  This inscription describes the marriage of King Virapurushadatta of the Ikshvaku dynasty with Rudra Bhattarika.
  
• Mora inscription
  This is an inscription of 1st b.c. 
  In this, there is a description of the establishment of the temple of Panch Vrushti heroes by a woman.
  
• Junagadh inscription
  This inscription belongs to the Shaka king Rudradaman. 
  This inscription, mentions the reconstruction of Sudarshan Lake.
  
• Nashik inscription
  This inscription was engraved by Gautami Balashri after the death of his son Gautamiputra Satakarni. 
  This inscription describes the victories of Satakarni and his devotion to religion.
  In this inscription, Satakarni is said to be equivalent to Parusharam.
  
• Panjtar inscription
  This inscription describes the capture of Kabul valley by the Kushanas.
  
• Nagarjuna Guhelekh
  This inscription belongs to the Maurya ruler Dasharatha. 
  It describes the events of the reign of the Chedi ruler Kharavela and the Rajasuya Yagya performed by him.
  
• Takht-e-Bahi inscription
  This inscription is located in the Peshawar province of Pakistan. 
  This is the inscription of Gondophernes.
  It is written in Kharoshthi.
  
• Junnar inscription
  This is the inscription of Nahapana.
  
• Karle inscription
  This is the inscription related to Vasishthi’s son Pulumavi.
  
• Sui Bihar inscription
  This inscription describes the marriage of Vasishthi’s son Pulumavi to the daughter of Rudradaman.