Major Ancient Inscriptions & Pillars — Fact Sheet

Overview

Inscriptions Overview	Epigraphy and Pillars serve as primary sources for ancient Indian history. Carved in stone or metal, they provide exact dates, genealogies, territorial boundaries, land grants, taxation, and religious donations.

1. Major Pre-Gupta Inscriptions

Boghazkoi & Rummindei	Boghazkoi (14th C. BCE, Turkey): Mentions Vedic gods Mitra, Varuna, Indra, Nasatya. Rummindei (Lumbini): Ashoka reduced land tax to 1/8th at Buddha's birthplace.
Hathigumpha & Besnagar	Hathigumpha (Odisha): King Kharavela in Prakrit; first mention of 'Bharatavarsha'. Besnagar Pillar (MP): Heliodorus erected Garuda pillar for Vasudeva (earliest Bhagavatism evidence).
Nanaghat, Nashik & Junagarh	Nanaghat (MH): Queen Naganika (Satakarni I, early land grants). Nashik Prashasti: Gautami Balashri for Gautamiputra Satakarni. Junagarh Rock (150 CE): Rudradaman I (first chaste Sanskrit record, Sudarshana Lake repair).

2. Major Gupta Era Inscriptions

Prayag Prashasti & Mehrauli Pillar	Prayag Prashasti (Prayagraj): Samudragupta (composed by Harisena in Champu kavyam on Ashokan pillar). Mehrauli Pillar (Delhi): Chandragupta II rust-resistant iron pillar.
Bhitari, Junagarh & Eran	Bhitari Pillar (UP): Skandagupta's victory over Hunas. Junagarh Rock (Gujarat): Skandagupta's repair of Sudarshana Lake. Eran Stone (510 CE): Bhanugupta's reign; first epigraphic evidence of Sati.

3. Post-Gupta & Regional Inscriptions

Aihole, Banskheda & Uttaramerur	Aihole (634 CE, KA): Pulakesin II (composed by Ravikirti); documents defeat of Harsha at Narmada. Banskheda (UP): Harshavardhana's personal signature. Uttaramerur (TN): Parantaka I; Chola village self-governance.
Maski & Sohgaura	Maski (KA): First edict explicitly using name 'Ashoka'. Sohgaura & Mahasthan: Mauryan-era state-led famine relief.

UPSC High-Yield Recall & Exam Traps

First Sati Evidence	510 CE Eran Stone Inscription of Bhanugupta.
Boghazkoi Vedic Gods	Mentions Mitra, Varuna, Indra, Nasatya in 1400 BCE Turkey.
Aihole Inscription Defeat	Ravikirti records Pulakesin II's defeat of Harsha at Narmada River.
Uttaramerur Inscription	Primary source for Chola democratic village administration (Variyams).

Supplemental Asset Directory

• Hathigumpha Kharavela Inscription:
• Mehrauli Iron Pillar Delhi:
• Aihole Inscription Clean: