Barli Inscription

The Barli Inscription (obtained from a Bhinaika village 36 miles southeast of Ajmer)[1] belonging perhaps to 5th-4th century B.C. is one of the earliest Jaina inscriptions reported from Rajasthan.[2][3]

Barli Inscription
Barli Inscription excavated in Rajasthan
MaterialStone
Size13x10 inches
WritingPrakrit language
Period/culture443, 374-373 or 1st century BCE
Discovered26°18′48.3″N 72°55′51.6″E
Discovered byG. H. Ojha
PlaceAjmer District, Rajasthan
Present locationRājputānā Government Museum, Ajmer

History

Earlier scholars assigned the Barli inscription to the pre-Ashokan period, but more recent scholars have assigned it to a later date.[4]

According to historian G. H. Ojha, who discovered the inscription in 1912, the inscription contains the line Viraya Bhagavate chaturasiti vase, which can be interpreted as "dedicated to Lord Vira in his 84th year".[5] Based on this reading, Ojha concluded that the record was inscribed in 443 BCE means 84 Years after the Nirvana of Tirthankara Mahavira.[6] Vira is one of the epithets of 24th Tirthankara Mahavira.[7]

K. P. Jayaswal also agreed with Ojha's reading.[8][2][9] Indian Magazine Editor Ramananda Chatterjee has assigned the inscription to 4th Century BCE.[10] On Paleographic grounds, the inscription can be assigned to the 2nd-1st century BCE.[11]

Description

This inscription is present on a piece of the pillar of dimension 13x10 inches. The inscription is written in Prakrit language. The writing was done by engraving, sewing, engraving, weaving, digging, piercing, burning, and punching. There are many defects in this inscriptions.[12]

See also

References

Citation

  1. Sircar 1971, p. 256.
  2. Jain 1972, p. 152.
  3. Jain, Chhote Lal. "Jaina Bibliography". Internet Archive. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  4. Chakrabarty 2009, pp. 355–356.
  5. Dwivedi 1994.
  6. Goyal 2006, p. 105.
  7. Hubbard 1807, p. 310.
  8. Goyal 2005, p. 22.
  9. Institute, Bhandarkar Oriental Research (1978). Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.
  10. Chatterjee, Ramananda (1958). The Modern Review. Prabasi Press Private, Limited.
  11. Gupta & Ramachandran 1979, p. 106:"The Barli inscription, which was placed by Ojha in fifth century B.C., can really be assigned to the first century B.C., on paleographic grounds."
  12. Dwivedi 1994, p. 101.

Sources

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