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, India.[2][3]
| Barli Inscription | |
|---|---|
 Barli Inscription excavated in Rajasthan | |
| Material | Stone |
| Size | 13x10 inches |
| Writing | Prakrit language |
| Period/culture | 443, 374-373 or 1st century BCE |
| Discovered | 26°18′48.3″N 72°55′51.6″E |
| Discovered by | G. H. Ojha |
| Place | Ajmer District, Rajasthan |
| Present location | Rājputānā Government Museum, Ajmer |
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]
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]
Citation
- Sircar 1971, p. 256.
- Jain, Chhote Lal. "Jaina Bibliography". Internet Archive. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- Chakrabarty 2009, pp. 355–356.
- Goyal 2006, p. 105.
- Hubbard 1807, p. 310.
- Goyal 2005, p. 22.
- Institute, Bhandarkar Oriental Research (1978). Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.
- Chatterjee, Ramananda (1958). The Modern Review. Prabasi Press Private, Limited.
- 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."
- Dwivedi 1994, p. 101.
Sources
- Chakrabarty, Dilip K. (2009). India: An Archaeological History: Palaeolithic Beginnings to Early Historic Foundations. Oxford University Press. p. 356. ISBN 978-0-19-908814-0.
- Dwivedi, Bhanwar Lal (1994). Evolution of educational thought in India. Northern Book Centre. ISBN 9788172110598.
- Goyal, S. R. (2005). Ancient Indian Inscriptions: Recent Finds and New Interpretations. Kusumanjali Book World.
- Goyal, S. R. (2006), Brāhmī Script: An Invention of the Early Maurya Period, Kusumanjali Book World
- Gupta, Swarajya Prakash; Ramachandran, K. S. (1979). The Origin of Brahmi script. D.K.
- Hubbard, Thomas (1807). Asiatick Researches. Vol. 9. Kolkata: Hindoostanee Press.
- Jain, Kailash Chand (1972). Malwa Through The Ages. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0824-9.
- Muni, Nagraj (1986). Agama Aura Tripitaka: Eka Anusilana. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788170227311.
- Sharma, Krishna Gopal (1993). Early Jaina inscriptions of Rajasthan. Navrang. ISBN 978-81-7013-081-9.
- Sircar, Dineschandra (1971). Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0690-0.