Curriculum 2026โ€“27
Practice
Culture & Knowledge Clusterยท Domain Code EPIG

Archaeology, Epigraphy & Ancient Inscriptions โ€” Ashokan Edicts, Royal Charters & Scripts

Epigraphy and numismatics constitute the most reliable primary source materials for reconstructing ancient and medieval Indian political history, dynastic chronologies, and socio-economic systems. The subcontinental epigraphic record commences with the edicts of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, engraved on rock faces and polished sandstone pillars across India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan in Brahmi, Kharosthi, Aramaic, and Greek scripts, deciphered by James Prinsep in 1837. Later classical periods witnessed the emergence of poetic royal eulogies (prashastis) in ornate Sanskrit, exemplified by Harishena's Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta and Ravikirti's Aihole Inscription celebrating Pulakeshin II. Furthermore, thousands of copper-plate grants (Tamrapatra) and coin legends issued by Gupta, Chola, and Satavahana rulers document land grants, temple endowments, taxation patterns, and agrarian expansion.

Prescribed Topics & Learning Modules

Public Sample Quizzes & Solved Questions

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Question 1Ashokan Rock Edicts, Pillars & Decipherment
easy

Which British scholar and assay master of the Calcutta Mint successfully deciphered the ancient Ashokan Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in 1837?

Question 2Royal Prashastis, Pillar Inscriptions & Dynasties
easy

The Prayag Prashasti, engraved on the Ashoka pillar in Allahabad in classical Sanskrit by court poet Harishena, eulogizes the military achievements of which Gupta emperor?

Question 3Copper-Plate Charters, Numismatics & Palaeography
easy

The 10th-century Chola-period stone inscriptions at Uttiramerur in Tamil Nadu are historically famous for detailing the functioning of which ancient institution?

Question 4Ashokan Rock Edicts, Pillars & Decipherment
medium

Which Major Rock Edict of Emperor Ashoka provides the primary historical description of the devastating Kalinga War and his transformation to the path of Dhamma?

Question 5Royal Prashastis, Pillar Inscriptions & Dynasties
medium

The Aihole Inscription of 634 CE, composed by the Jain court poet Ravikirti, commemorates the military triumph of Chalukya King Pulakeshin II over which Northern monarch?

Question 6Copper-Plate Charters, Numismatics & Palaeography
medium

Which foreign dynasty ruling in northwestern India was the first to issue coins bearing the actual portraits of kings and bilingual legends in Greek and Kharosthi?

Question 7Ashokan Rock Edicts, Pillars & Decipherment
medium

The Minor Rock Edict at which site in Karnataka was the first inscription discovered (in 1915) that explicitly mentioned the name 'Ashoka' alongside 'Devanampiya'?

Question 8Royal Prashastis, Pillar Inscriptions & Dynasties
hard

The Junagadh Rock Inscription of 150 CE, inscribed by the Western Kshatrapa ruler Rudradaman I, is historically renowned for which significant milestone?

Question 9Copper-Plate Charters, Numismatics & Palaeography
hard

Ancient Indian royal land grants engraved on copper plates (Tamrapatra) were traditionally fastened with a copper ring bearing what certifying feature?

Question 10Ashokan Rock Edicts, Pillars & Decipherment
hard

The bilingual rock inscription of Emperor Ashoka discovered at Kandahar (Shar-i-Kuna in Afghanistan) is inscribed in which two ancient languages/scripts?

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