NTA UGC NET/JRF Exam AUGUST-2024 ARCHAEOLOGY

The Mahasthan stone plaque inscription provides the earliest known reference to a city (nagara) in India. Discovered in Mahasthan, Bangladesh, this inscription, written in Prakrit using the Brahmi script, dates back to the Mauryan period. It mentions the city of Pundranagara, which was an important administrative and trade center in ancient Bengal. The inscription serves as significant evidence of urbanization during the Mauryan era.

The latest known site of an Ashokan inscription is Ghurhupur, located in Uttar Pradesh. This site contains one of the Minor Rock Edicts of Emperor Ashoka, which are found in various locations across India and beyond. The Ashokan inscriptions are crucial historical records that provide insights into his policies, Buddhist influence, and governance. The discovery of inscriptions at Ghurhupur extends the geographical spread of Ashoka's edicts and reflects the widespread impact of his rule.

James Prinsep and George Turnour were both instrumental in identifying 'Devanam Piya' with the Maurya King Ashoka. James Prinsep, in the 19th century, deciphered the Brahmi script used in Ashokan inscriptions, revealing that the term 'Devanam Piya' referred to a ruler. Meanwhile, George Turnour, a British civil servant and historian, studied Sri Lankan Buddhist texts, particularly the Mahavamsa, which helped in associating Ashoka with the inscriptions. Their combined efforts led to the recognition of Ashoka as the historical figure behind the edicts, contributing significantly to the study of ancient Indian history.

The Besnagar stone pillar inscription contains 9 lines of text. This inscription, attributed to the Indo-Greek ambassador Heliodorus, records his devotion to the deity Vasudeva (an early form of Vishnu worship). The inscription, dating to around 140 ВСE, is significant as it provides early evidence of Bhagavatism and the crosscultural exchanges between the Greeks and Indian civilization during the Mauryan and post-Mauryan periods.

The Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta records the name Mantaraja as a king of Dakshinapatha. This inscription, composed by the court poet Harisena, details Samudragupta's conquests and his policy of establishing subordinate rulers in southern India. The mention of Mantaraja reflects the extent of Gupta influence in the Deccan and highlights the empire's political strategies in dealing with regional rulers.

The Ashokan inscription at Erragudi is written in a semiboustrophedon script, a writing style in which alternate lines are written in opposite directions-one from left to right and the next from right to left. Erragudi, located in Andhra Pradesh, contains several Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka. The use of semiboustrophedon script at this site reflects the transitional phase in writing styles used during the Mauryan period, showing adaptations to different regional linguistic traditions.

C.L. Grotefend is known to have deciphered the Kharosthi script around the same time as James Prinsep. Kharosthi was an ancient script used in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Gandhara (modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan). It was mainly used for Prakrit inscriptions and is read from right to left. The contributions of Grotefend and Prinsep were crucial in understanding early Indian epigraphy and inscriptions.

The coins of the Satavahana dynasty were predominantly made of copper and lead, although some silver coins were also issued. These coins typically featured Prakrit inscriptions in the Brahmi script and bore images of rulers, deities, or symbolic motifs such as the Ujjain symbol and animals like the elephant and the lion. The use of lead was a distinctive feature of Satavahana coinage, reflecting the availability of metal resources in their territories, particularly in the Deccan region.

I issued the 'Aparitigha' coins, which are notable for their depiction of a deity holding a staff and a battle-axe. The term 'Aparitigha' suggests a meaning related to invincibility or overcoming obstacles. Kumaragupta I, one of the most powerful rulers of the Gupta dynasty, is known for his military campaigns and the consolidation of the empire. His coinage reflected both religious and political symbolism, showcasing the strength and stability of his rule.

A silver coin of Harigupta was discovered at Ahicchatra, an important archaeological site in Uttar Pradesh. Ahicchatra was a major urban center in ancient India, known for its historical significance in various periods, from the Painted Grey Ware culture to the early medieval era. The discovery of Harigupta's coin at this site provides evidence of regional polities and their economic activities during that time.