Classification of inscriptions
1.on the basis of script
2.on the basis of material
3.on the basis of ownership royal or individual
4. on the basis of content
1.on the basis of script.
inscriptions maybe on the basis of script. In the following ways.
1. Brahmi script. 2. Indus script. 3rd karate script. 4th Greek script. And last aremit.
2.On the basis of language.
This base allows. Abroad area. To include. Many inscription languages like. Prakriti., Sanskrit., aramite,
pali, Tamil. Kannada, ardh magadhi etc.
3.On the basis of material.
The main materials used for inscribing were...
1.1 stone 1.2 metal 1.3 terracotta.
1. stone.
Stone slabs. Stone pillars., sculpture., movable objects, Poetries of stones. etc. were used for inscribing.
stone image of different religion were also inscribed
inscription of rudradaman, ashoka, kharavela ,guptas, etc. were written over stone materials.
2. metals- basically 5 metals were used for inscribing-
1. copper 2.bronze 3. silver 4.gold 5.iron
*COPPER INS.- most of the copper inscriptions were of donative type mostly used by SATAVAHANAS /
GUPTAS.
EXAMPLE-sohgaura and mahasthana
*BRONZE INS.-were used for dipicting animal image like DIAMABAD BRONZE INS. dipicts BUFFALO
some other ins. depicts BULL, OX, ANTELOPE (etc).
*GOLD,SILVER, OTHER PRECIOUS METALS were not usually used as plate inscriptions but they are
inscribed over on coins.
*SILVER PLATE INS.- are only found rarely from southern india.
*IRON- was used as pillar or weapon over which inscriptios were inscribed.
EXAMPLE- iron pillor ins. and uttarakhand trident (trishool) ins.
3.TERRACOTTA- it includes pottery , tablets, images, brick structure , seals and sealings.
# KUSHINAGAR AND SHRAVASTI BUDDHA IMAGES were found inscribed.
# SEALS were used for trade purpose while sealings were made up of clay with positive impression.
4. OTHER MATERIAL- like glass, ivory,cloths,skin and shells were sometimes used for inscribing.
4. on the basis of content.
a).ROYAL ORDERS- the inscriptions issued by members of royal families, ministers,the ruler comes
under this catagory.
*advisible ins.- EX. -ashokan pillar ins.
*order ins.-EX.- Sohgaura and mahasthan ins.
*prashasti/theology.- EX.- hathigumpha cave ins.( kharavela) , prayag prashasti (samudragupta) aihole
ins. (pulakesin2)
b).DECLARATIVE/ NOTIFICATION INS.- there are administrative type of inscription including the ins of
various kings and ministers.
EX.- rumminidei pillar ins. ,rock edicts etc.
c).DONATIVE TYPE INSCRIPTION.- these ins. mentions the offering of land and animal grants to
different sects, priests and community.
EX.- copper plete ins . of sanjan etc.
more then 1000 cpper pletes are donative type are found and most of them belongs to SATVAHANAS
and GUPTAS.
content of donative ins.-
*preface- ( mangalacharana) *name of gift
*place of issuing ins. - either capital town or military camp (jayaskandhwa)
*name of donar and his genealogy *name of receiver of grant
*address of society *ocassion on which grant is given/purpose of grant
*CONCLUSION- * date *name of officer
*date *authentication
5. private donative ins.
these are some ins. which belongs to individual ruler, governor, viceroy , etc.
EX.- inscriptions of kushana , nanaghat ins. of nagarika
6.commercial inscription.
these ins. describes about the trade and commerce.
EX.-ins. of trade guilds,organisations etc. other ins. like institution of king, court etc also comes under it.
EX.- kushana ins. mentions about silk routes.
7.memorial inscription.
these ins write about the incidents and memory of of any ruler or hero just including the inscription that
mention about the titles, victories of any ruler.
8.label inscription.
the inscription that mention about the cult or religious life of any ruler are concluded in this category
EX.- cave ins. of barabar and nagarjuni hill and ins. of bahrut stupa.
other ins.- like bhedaghata ins. of alhad devi.
9.literary inscription.
these ins. give knowledge or moral advice to mankind.
EX.-13th line of kushinagar copper plete ins. mentions the verse of uddana sutra.
10.dedicative ins.
these are dedicated to any famous personality or saint.
EX.- piprahwa ins.
11.magical inscription.
it mentions about the magic tricks, verses,and tantra verses describing the beliefs of people.
EX.-- indus ins. , tantric ins.
