Sanskrit inscriptions are the ocean of information about various aspects in the ancient times. They are mainly studied with respect to the political history. But the cultural and literary facet of these inscriptions tenders a great scope for indological researches. There are good prospects in comparative study of the inscriptions. Coeval inscriptions belonging to different regions can be studied comparatively. Similarly, putting side by side, the contemporary inscriptions belonging to different dynasties or the inscriptions of a particular dynasty belonging to different periods can be studied. Sanskrit inscriptions can be compared as against the inscriptions in Prakrit or other regional languages. Compilation of invocatory verses and classification according to the deity will be a voluminous work. Invocatory verses can be studied as against the iconography of the respective deities. Altogether, there are much more avenues in epigraphical studies than one can shake a stick at.
Dr. Keyur R. Karagudari is a promising young Sanskrit scholar. Born on 20 January 1985 in a noble family, he completed his school education in Kalaghatagi, Dr. Keyur passed B.A. with subjects Sanskrit, Prakrit and Music in much coveted first class at Karnatak Arts College, Dharwad. He accomplished M.A. in Sanskrit with specialization in alankarashastra at the Karnatak University, Dharwad. He also completed M.Phil. and obtained Ph.D. degree from the same University for the Study of Sanskrit epigraphs. Dr. Keyur with incessant interest in learning completed other courses M.A. (Kannada), P.G. Diploma in Epigraphy, Sanskrit Kavya and Sahitya examinations, Diploma in Sri Sathya Sai Education etc. He is a recipient of three gold medals from Karnatak University, Dharwad for standing highest in M.A. (Sanskrit). He has many published research articles in various reputed journals and has presented research papers in several national seminars and conferences. He is also endowed with many other talents such as composing Sanskrit as well as Kannada verses in classical metres, performing Harikatha, playing Sitar, singing etc. At present he is serving as Sanskrit lecturer at H.I.P.U. Science College in Dharwad.
Our country is fortunate enough to hold an enormous mass of epigraphical wealth strewn over the whole of its territory. It is well known that among all the sources available for knowing about the history of ancient India, epigraphy or the study of inscriptions is the most important and most acceptable one. The remaining sources like archaeological artifacts, monuments, numismatics and literary works etc. are only of a supplementary nature, amplifying the information supplied by inscriptions. A good extent of the precise information which is currently available with respect to ancient India is undoubtedly derived from these inscriptions by studying them meticulously. Thus, epigraphy is a sine qua non for constructing the political and cultural history of ancient India. Generally, any historical information is acknowledged as true blue when it is substantiated by an epigraphical record.
So too in the study of the history of literature and language, epigraphy has a vital role to play Till today a large number of inscriptions have been discovered and deciphered since the second half of the eighteenth century A.D. not only in all parts of the Indian subcontinent but also in the adjoining countries like Ceylon, Nepal, Cambodia, Java, Borneo etc. wherever the Indian culture had been disseminated. In India, the writing of inscriptions has a long history. Inscriptions first incarnated in the third century B.C. It is the great Mauryan emperor Asoka, who struck upon the novel idea of writing inscriptions to record the thoughts and notions which he wanted to promulgate among his citizens. Thus, the earliest epigraphical records found in India are the rock and pillar edicts of the king Asoka, of course leaving aside the writings discovered in the Sindhu valley region, final conclusions of the decipherment of which are not yet arrived at. Thus king Asoka blazed a trail of writing inscriptions and thenceforth, the tradition of writing inscriptions went on and lasted till the end of the so called medieval period in history.
After Asoka, the subsequent generations of rulers continued the practice of writing inscriptions to record, time and again their own glorification and also their meritorious deeds and other achievements. Their subordinate officers and other dignitaries also conformed to the custom of their masters and augmented the inscriptional literature by setting up stone inscriptions and issuing copper plates etc. recording various events in their respective times. Though the approach, the objective and the contents went on changing from time to time, it is these inscriptions that acquaint us with various aspects of life in ancient times. Here is a small attempt to explore the Sanskrit inscriptions in order to understand their literary importance.
Before going over these inscriptions it is better to have an idea of the general format of the inscriptions. As far as the format of an earliest set of inscriptions i.e the Ashokan edicts is considered, they were most simple and unadorned. They were not elaborate and intricate. The central theme of Asoka's edicts was to edify the people, so as to ameliorate their disposition and to inculcate them with the elements of what he did call it as Dharama. But the inscriptions of later period belong to a different category from that of the edicts of Asoka. These are observed gradually more comprehensive and embellished.
Hindu (891)
Agriculture (93)
Ancient (1022)
Archaeology (614)
Architecture (534)
Art & Culture (859)
Biography (597)
Buddhist (544)
Cookery (159)
Emperor & Queen (494)
Islam (235)
Jainism (275)
Literary (874)
Mahatma Gandhi (379)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist