INDIAN EPIGRAPHY - Eletive Course of BA History

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

INDIAN EPIGRAPHY - Eletive Course of BA History UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT School of Distance Education INDIAN EPIGRAPHY - Eletive course of BA History VI Semester-CUCBCSS-2017 admn. 1.what is the official publication of archaeological survery of india till 1977? a. The Royal Indian Antiquary b. Epigraphica Indica c. Indian Archaeologist d. Indian Antiquary 2. What is the subject that dealt in the Uttaremerur Inscription? a. Administration at the centre b. agricultural reforms c. Local self governance d. administration of temples 3.Sabha was inclusive of --- a. Officials only b. Priestly class only c. common people only c. both priestly and common people 4. Who were known as Variyars? a. Accountants b. officers in charge of royal palace c. landlords d.executive officers subordinate to sabha 5. Which dynasty is associated with Uttaeramerur Inscription? a. Pandya b. chera c. Chola d. Aye 6. In which state does Maski edict of Asoka situate? a.Karnataka b. Gujarat c. Sindh d. Baluchistan 7. Which inscription mentioned priyadarshan and Asoka? a. Brahmagiri b. Dauli c. Girnar d. Maski 8. Who was the first Indian ruler issued edicts? a. Asoka b. Khrevela c. Samudragupta c. Bimbisara 9. Asokan edicts are inscribed on --- a. pillars b.stones c. rocks d. All the three are correct 10. What was the language used in the Eastern Part of Asok’s empire? a. Prakrit b. Magadhi c. Aramic d. Greek 11. What was the script used in the Asokan edicts in eastern part of Inda? a. Grrek b. Khroshti c. Brahmi d. Devanagiri 12. Who deciphered the script used in Asokan inscriptions? a. James Princep b. Alexander Cunningham c. William Jones d. William Smith 13. What are the inscriptions in which Asoka’s name is mentioned explicitly? a. Maski, Gujarra Nittur b. Maski, Gujarra c. Nittur, Maski, Dauli d. Maski, Girnar, Nittur 14. Which inscription deals with Asoka’s conversion to Buddhism? a. Bhabru b. Kandahar c.Yerragudi d.Brahmagiri 15. Which inscription of Asoka among the following located at Rajasthan? a. Yerragudi b. Bhabru c. Brhamagiri d. Maski 16. Which Major Rock edict of Asoka mention the south Indian dynasties like chola, Keralputras and Pandyas? a. Third Major rock Edict b. Second Major Rock Edict c. Seventh Major Rock Edict d. Ninth Major Rock Edict 17. Who deciphered the Kharoshti script? a. James Princep b. Alexander Cunningham c. James Mill d. 18. What is the script used to write Manipravala literature? a.Vatteluthu b. Kolezhutu c. Grantha d mixture of Vatteluthu and Granta 19. What is the archaic and ornamental form of Grantha? a. Pallava Grantha b.Western Grantha c.Tigalari d.Medieval Grantha 20. Which among the following inscriptions used Pallava Grantha? a. Inscriptions of Tanjavur Cholas b. Kaialsanatha Inscription c. Pandya Inscription d. Tarisapalli Inscription 21. What among the following is in the right chronological order? a. satya-treta-dwapara-kali b kali-dwapara- treat- satya c. satya-dwapara- treat-kali d. satya-kali- treta- dwapara 22. Which incident indicates the start of kali Yuga? a. End of Mhabharata war b. Lord Krishna’s departure c. End of Kuru tribe c. Ravana’s elopement of Sita 23. Which among the following is the official era of Nepal? a. Saka Era b. Vikrama c. Kali d. Kollam 24. Which is the official Era of India? a. Saka b. Vakrama c. Kollam d. Kali 25. Who founded the Vikrama Samvat? a. Vikramaditya b. Sthanu Ravi Varma c. Khareval d. Satakarni 26. When is the beginning of Saka Era? a. 72 AD b. 78 BC c. 76 AD d. 78AD 27. Which ruler’s accession denotes the beginning of Saka Era? a. Chashtana b. Kanishka c. Samudragupta d. Rudrasena 28. Kollavarsham is used in which country? a. Tamil Nadu b. Kerala c. Andhra d. Karnataka 29. When is the origin of Kollam Era? a. 825 AD b. 852 BC c. 825 BC d. 856 AD 30. Which is the copper plate in which the King of Venad, Ayyantikal Thiruvatikal bestowed some privileges to Sapir Iso? a. Tharisapalli Copper Plate b. Jewish Copper Plate c. Vazhapalli Copper plate 31. In which script the Tharisapalli Copper Plate was written? a. kolezhuth b. Vatteluthu c. Grantha d. Prakrit 32. Which king awarded the Jewish Copper Plate ? a. Bhaskara Ravi Varman I b. Stanu Ravi varma c. cheraman perumal d Ayyanatikal thirvatiakl 33. Who was the Jewish merchant leader singed in the copper plate? a.David b. Rehoboam c.Hasmonean d. Joseph Rabban 34. Who composed the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta? a. Harisena b. Bhasa c. Harsha d. Jayadeva 35. Whose exploits are mentioned in the Nasik inscription? a. Guatamiputra Satakarni b.Guatami Balasri c. Vasishtiputra Pulumayi d. Sivasati 36. Which dynasty‘s activities are mentioned in Deopara Prasasti? a. Sena kings of Bengal b. Palas of Bengal c. kanva dynasty d. Sunga dynasty 37. Which is the main source of information about kalinga ruler Kheravela? a. Deopara Inscription b. Nasik Inscription c. Hathigumpha Inscription d. Allahabad Pillar Inscription 38. who founded the journal, The Indian Antiquary? a. James Burgess b. James Princep c. Alexander Cunningham d. James Mill 39. What is the year of the foundation of The Indian Antiquary? a. 1877 b. 1872 c. 1892 d. 1873 40. Who was the first editor The Indian Antiquary? a. James Princep b. William Wilkins c. James Burgess d. Richard Temple 41.Which pre-historian established the direction of writing as right to left? a. Iravatham Mahadevan b. Fr.Heras c. James Princep d. S.R.Rao 42.Which among the prehisotrians did not support the Indus script’s connection with Brhami? a. S.R.Rao b. Krishna Rao c. Subash kak d. Kamil Zvelebi Answers 1.b. 2.c 3.b. 4.d 5.c 6.a 7.d 8.a 9.a 10.b 11.c 12.a 13.a 14.a 15.b 16.b 17.a 18.d. 19.a 2.b 21.a 22.b 23.b. 24.a 25.a 26.d 27.a 28.b 29.a 30.a 31.b 32.a 33.d 34.a 35.a 36.a 37.c 38.a 39.b 40.c 41.a 42.d Prepared by: Smt. U.V Shakkela, Department of History, University College, Thiruvananthapuram .
Recommended publications
  • Predictive Modelling for Archaeological Sites: Ashokan Edicts from the Indian Subcontinent
    GENERAL ARTICLES Predictive modelling for archaeological sites: Ashokan edicts from the Indian subcontinent Thomas W. Gillespie*, Monica L. Smith, Scott Barron, Kanika Kalra and Corey Rovzar This article focuses on the stone inscriptions ascribed to Ashoka, the 3rd century BC ruler of the Mauryan dynasty in ancient India. The locations of 29 known inscriptions and 8 environmental predictors at 1 km pixel resolution were entered into a species distribution model, that reliably pre- dicted the distribution of known Ashokan edicts (AUC score 0.934). Geologic substrate (33%), population density in AD 200 (21%), and slope (13%) explained majority of the variance in the Ashokan edict locations. We have identified 121 possible locations in the Indian subcontinent that conform to the same criteria where yet undiscovered inscriptions may be found. Keywords: Archaeology, edict locations, environmental metrics, species distribution models, stone inscriptions. TWO factors have combined that could increase the use of provide confirmation that people found the locations suit- modelling in archaeology: the availability of global land- able and worthy of investment. scape geographic information system (GIS) datasets, and The predictability of archaeological site location is the need to identify and protect sites in areas jeopardized by based on a variety of criteria, not all of which are imme- development and other human impacts. An important po- diately apparent. For example, our earliest ancestors hun- tential contributor to this process is species distribution dreds of thousands of years ago utilized caves as shelters modelling, which has been increasingly used across a va- prior to the development of built architecture, but not all riety of fields, including biogeography, ecology, conserva- known caves were occupied within a given region due to tion biology, and climate change science to identify metrics additional factors of selection, such as the preference for that define and predict species and ecosystems ranges1–4.
    [Show full text]
  • Vivekananda College, Thiruvedakam West
    VIVEKANANDA COLLEGE College with Potential for Excellence Reaccredited with ‘A’ Grade (CGPA 3.59 Out Of 4.00) By NAAC (Residential & Autonomous – A Gurukula Institute of Life-Training) (Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University) TIRUVEDAKAM WEST MADURAI DISTRICT – 625 234 DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY B.A. HISTORY SYLLABUS (For those who joined in June 2015 and after) (2017-2020 Batch) ABOUT THE COLLEGE Vivekananda College was started by Founder-President Swamiji Chidhbhavanandhaji Maharaj of Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam, Tirupparaithurai, Trichy in 1971 on the banks of the river Vaigai which is blissfully free from the noise and hurry, the crowds and distraction of the city. Vivekananda College is a residential college functioning under Gurukula pattern. It is Man-making education, that is imparted in this institution, Culture, character and curriculam are the three facets of ideal education that make man a better man. This is possible only when the teacher and taught live together, The Gurukula system of Training is therefore a humble and systematic attempt in reviving the age old GURUGRIHAVASA for wholesome education, Attention to physical culture, devotion to duty, obidence to teachers, hospitality to guests, zest for life, love for the nation, and above all, humility and faith in the presence of God etc. are the values sought to be inculcated. All steps are taken to ensure the required atmosphere for the ideal life training. Vivekananda College, Tiruvedakam West, Madurai District-625 234 is an aided college established in 1971 and offers UG and PG courses. This College is affiliated to the Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. The College was reaccredited with ‘A’ grade (CGPA 3.59 out of 4.00) by NAAC IN September 2015.
    [Show full text]
  • RMRL 2011 12.Pdf
    2011-12 Cover Page : In commemoration of 125th birth anniversary of mathematical genius Ramanujan Contents 6 Annual Report Narrative 8 Reference Services and Acquisitions 9 Donors List 10 Documentation 10 Reprographic Services 11 Conservation 11 Workshops / Training and Technical Support 12 Indus Research Centre 14 Lectures / Seminars / Exhibitions 17 Audited Financial Statement Main Objectives of the Trust The Roja Muthiah Research Library Trust endeavors to: • undertake and enable development of research libraries and archives relating to south Indian studies in order to serve the needs of scholars; • preserve and conserve documents of value for research; • gather and generate knowledge about libraries and archives; • disseminate that knowledge; • train librarians and archivists; • engage in international collaborative efforts for the betterment of services to readers; and • engage in research in the areas of humanities and social sciences. The Roja Muthiah Research Library Trust’s principle current objectives are maintenance and development of the Roja Muthiah Research Library and affiliated bodies such as the Indus Research Centre. 11-12 We acknowledge with gratitude the support of Prof. M. Anandakrishnan Mr. Chidambaranathan & Family Dr. R. Champakalakshmi, Chennai Mr. Durai Arasu, Chennai Government of Tamilnadu Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan, Chennai Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya, Nepal Mrs. Mina Swaminathan Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, Chairman, MSSRF, Chennai Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai And all the donors who have generously supported the library 5 Annual Report Narrative The year 2011-2012 proved to be a challenging one for Roja Muthiah Research Library (RMRL). Three major projects conceived by RMRL did not receive funding to date and currently, there are no new projects in hand.
    [Show full text]
  • Indian Archaeology 1976-77 a Review
    INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1976-77 —A REVIEW EDITED BY B. K. THAPAR Director General Archaeological Survey of India ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NEW DELHI 1980 Cover: 1, decorated terracotta tile from Harwan (p. 94) ; 2, copper-plate from Anekannambadi (pp. 59-60) ; and 3, inscribed seal from Sanghol (pp. 78-79). 1980 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Price : Rs. 65-00 PRINTED AT NABA MUDRAN PRIVATE LTD., CALCUTTA, 700 004 PREFACE This issue of the Review for 1976-77, like its twenty-three earlier ones, includes matter on the archaeological activities in the country during the previous year. The matter, as is well known, has come from diverse sources—State Departments of Archaeology, Universities, museums, research institutions and laboratories and the various offices of the Archaeological Survey of India—and I gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of all those whose contributions have been incorporated here. In the course of sorting and editing this vast mass of material, which is ever expanding, some errors are likely to creep in, and if there are any, I must apologize for them. At the same time I feel that if the contributors could supply their respective reports in the format followed in the successive issues of the Review, we may perhaps be able to eliminate possible inaccuracies; this, incidentally would also help us in bringing out the publication on time. I heartely thank my colleagues in the Archaeological Survey of India who have helped me in bringing out this volume, this being the fourth within a span of just one year.
    [Show full text]
  • Ashoka's Edicts & Inscriptions
    AsHokA’s Edicts & inscriptions The great Emperor Ashoka, the third monarch of the Maurya dynasty converted to Buddhism after witnessing the horrific effects of war in Kalinga. He became a champion and patron of Buddhism and strove to spread Dhamma throughout his empire and beyond. He erected pillars and edicts all over the subcontinent and even in modern-day Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan to spread the Buddha’s word. The Edicts of Ashoka are in total 33 inscriptions written on the Pillars, boulders and cave walls of Mauryan Period, during the reign of the Emperor Ashok that are dispersed throughout the Indian Sub-continent covering India, Pakistan and Nepal. These inscriptions are divided into three broad sections – 1. Major Rock Edicts 2. Pillar Rock Edicts 3. Minor Rock Edicts These edicts have mentioned that Buddhism as a religion had reached as far as Mediterranean under the Ashokan reign. Many Buddhist monuments had been created in the wide-spread area. In these edicts, Buddhism and the Buddha are also mentioned. But primarily these edicts focus more on social and moral precepts rather than the religious practices (or the philosophical dimension) of Buddhism during Ashoka’s reign. A notable thing in these inscriptions is, that Ashoka refers to himself in many of these inscriptions as “Devampiyaa” which means “Beloved of the Gods” and “King Piyadassi.” Language used: The inscriptions found in the eastern parts of Mauryan empire are written using the Brahmi script in Magadhi language. While in the western parts of the empire, the script used is Kharoshti, written in Prakrit.
    [Show full text]
  • Vestiges of Indus Civilisation in Old Tamil
    Vestiges of Indus Civilisation in Old Tamil Iravatham Mahadevan Indus Research Centre Roja Mulhiah Research LJbrary. Chennai Tamiloadu Endowment Lecture Tamilnadu History Congress 16tb Annual Session, 9-11 October 2009 Tirucbirapalli, Tamilnadu Tamilnadu Hi story Congress 2009 Vestiges of Indus Civilisation in Old Tamil Iravatham Mahadevan Introduction 0. 1 II is indeed a great privilege 10 be invited to deliver the prestigious Tamilnadu Endowment Lecture at the Annual Session of the Tamilnadu History Congress. I am grateful to the Executive and to the General Bod y of the Congress for the signal honour be~towed on me. I am not a historian. My discipline is ep igraphy, in whic h I have specialised in the ralher are,lne fields o f the Indus Script and Tamil - Brahmi inscriptions. It is rather unusual for an epigraphist to be asked to deliver tile keynote address at a History Congre%. I alll all the more pleased at the recognition accorded to Epigraphy, which is, especially ill the case of Tamilnadu. the foundation on which the edifice of history has been raised. 0.2 Let me also at the outset declare my interest. [ have two personal reasons 10 accept the invitation. despite my advanced age and failing health. This session is being held at Tiruchirapalli. where I was born and brought up. ! am happy 10 be back in my hOllle lown to participate in these proceedings. I am also eager to share with you some of my recent and still-not-fully-published findings relating 10 the interpretation of the In dus Script. My studies have gradually led me to the COllciusion thaI the Indus Script is not merely Dm\'idian linguistically.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Indian History and Culture JOURNAL of INDIAN HISTORY and CULTURE
    Journal of Indian History and Culture JOURNAL OF INDIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE December 2015 Twenty First Issue C.P. RAMASWAMI AIYAR INSTITUTE OF INDOLOGICAL RESEARCH (affiliated to the University of Madras) The C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation 1 Eldams Road, Chennai 600 018, INDIA December 2015, Twenty First Issue 1 Journal of Indian History and Culture Editor : Dr.G.J. Sudhakar Board of Editors Dr. K.V.Raman Dr. Nanditha Krishna Referees Dr. A. Chandrsekharan Dr. V. Balambal Dr. S. Vasanthi Dr. Chitra Madhavan Dr. G. Chandhrika Published by Dr. Nanditha Krishna C.P.Ramaswami Aiyar Institute of Indological Research The C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation 1 Eldams Road Chennai 600 018 Tel : 2434 1778 / 2435 9366 Fax : 91-44-24351022 E-Mail: [email protected] / [email protected] Website: www.cprfoundation.org Sub editing by : Mr. Rudra Krishna & Mr. Narayan Onkar Layout Design : Mrs.T. PichuLakshmi Subscription Rs. 150/- (for 1 issue) Rs. 290/- (for 2 issues) 2 December 2015, Twenty First Issue Journal of Indian History and Culture CONTENTS 1 The Conflict Between Vedic Aryans And Iranians 09 by Dr. Koenraad Elst 2 Some Kushana Images of Karttikeya from Mathura 39 by Dr. V. Sandhiyalakshmi 3 Para Vasudeva Narayana 43 by Dr. G. Balaji 4 Pallava-Kadamba Interlude in Kerala: An Epigraphical Study 50 by Dhiraj, M.S. 5 Temple Managerial Groups in Early Keralam 69 by Anna Varghese 6 Irrigation and Water Supply During the Kakatiya Period 86 by Dr. D. Mercy Ratna Rani 7 Traditional Health Care in Ancient India with Reference to Karnataka 101 by Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Texts. Rock Inscriptions of Asoka
    TEXTS. ROCK INSCRIPTIONS OF ASOKA SHAHBAZGARHI, KHlLSI, GIRNAR, DHAULI, AND JAUGADA. EDICT I. s Ayam dharmalipi [ omitted ] Devanampriyasa * # # K Iyam dhammalipi f do. ] Devanampiyena Piyadasina G lyara dhammalipi [ do. ] Devanampiyena Piyadasina, D * # dha * * # # # * si pavatasi Devanampiye * # # * J Iyam dhammalipi Khepingalasi pavatasi Devanampiyena Piyadasina S Ranyo likhapi . Hidam lo ke * jiva. * * * * * * K # * lekhapi. Hida no kichhi jive. alabhitu paja G Eanya lekhapita .. Idha na kinchi jivam arabhida paju D Lajo # # # * * * * * . * vam alabhitu pajapa J Lajina likhapita . Hida no kichhi jivam. alabhiti paja S # * # cha pi * sama* * * * * * * * # K hitaviye 2 no pi ch;i samaje. kataviye bahukam hi G hitavyam 4 na cha samaje. katavyo bahukam hi D * # * # # # # * * * 2# * # bahukam * * J hitaviye 2 no pi cha samaje. kataviye babukain hi S # # # * * # * # # *4# ### •## # # * K dosa samejasa. Devanampiye Piyadasi Laja dakhati 5 G dosam samajamhi. pasati Devanampiyo Piyadasi Raja D * * # * # * * # # # nam # * # # # * # # # * J dosam samejasa. dakhati Devanampiye Piyadasi . Laja S 2 ati pi* * * katiya samayasa samato Devanampriyasa K athi picha. ekatiya samaj& sadhumata Devanampiyasa 7 G 6 asti pitu ekacha samaja sadhumata Devanampiyasa D * * # ekacha samajasa sadhumata Devanampiyasa J athi pichu ekatiya samaja sadhumata Devanampiyasa S Priyadasisa Ranyo para mahanasasa Devanampriyasa Priyadasisa 3 K Piyadasisa Lajine pale mahanasansi Devanampiyasa Piyadasisji 8 G Piyadasino Ranyo pura mahanasaphi Devanampiyasa Piyadasino 3 D Piyadasine
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Buddhist Studies Master of Buddhist Studies
    University of Calcutta Department of Buddhist Studies Master of Buddhist Studies Rules, Regulations and Syllabus of M.A. Course of Studies in Buddhist Studies (CC= Core course 800 + DSE=Discipline Specific Elective course -100 + GE= Generic Elective Course -100) Duration of Each Semester: 6 (six) months in two years. No. of seats: 40 (forty) including Reservation Time: 5 (five) days in a week (Monday – Friday) from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (six classes) Venue: Room No 42 A, 3rd Floor, Asutosh Building, AsutoshSikshaPrangan, 87/1, college Street, Kolkata – 700 073) Objective: This course offers a comparative aswell as holistic approach to Buddhism taking into account different social, cultural, historical, philosophical and ethical aspects. Apart from this, the Syllabus of the said course has been framed so that it may benefit the students appearing at UGC NET Examinations (Code No 60) and also WBCS Examination in Pali as well. Eligibility: since the said course is inter-disciplinary in character the Honours students of all categories of Humanities group can take admission. Moreover, the students who complete their P.G. Diploma course in Buddhist Studies and other M. A. in relevant subjects may be offered on opportunity to take admission in M. A. in Buddhist Studies as there is no scope for learning Buddhist Studies in B.A. (Hons.) in West Bengal Course Curriculum: M. A. Course in Buddhist Studies Total Marks: 1000 (One Thousand) Marks Core Course – 800 (Eight hundred) Marks Discipline Specific Elective Course- 100 (One Hundred) Marks Generic Elective Course- 100 (One Hundred) Marks In the 1stSemester there will be a compulsory project based on field work.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Participants
    List of participants T.V. Gopal Iyer (Ti. V¹. Kºpàlaiyar) (b. 1925) has qualified himself for the Panditam title of the Madurai Tamil Sangam, Vidwan title, B.O.L. degree and B.O.L. (Hon.) degree of the University of Madras, has served as professor of Tamil in oriental Colleges for a period of 15 years, has edited Ilakkaõa Viëakkam (eight volumes, 1971-1973), Ilakkaõak Kottu (1973) and Prayºka Viv¹kam (1973), with elaborate self-sufficient notes for the research students, has been serving as a research scholar in EFEO Pondicherry since November 1978, has brought a (pre-)critical1 edition of T¹vàram (1984-1985), has prepared a grammatical lexicon of Tamil dealing with all the branches of Tamil Grammar, has prepared the press copy of MàŸa− Akapporuë and Tiruppatikkºvai with the new commentary written by him and with all the necessary notes, has prepared for a new edition of MàŸa− Alaïkàram and Vãracº×iyam in the same way, has prepared a Tamil version of the old maõipravàëam commentary of the six books by Tirumaïkai â×vàr, and now is preparing the two books Tolkàppiyam, E×uttatikàram—Nacci−àrkki−iyam, and Tolkàppiyam, Collatikàram—Nacci−àrkki−iyam, removing all sorts of mistakes found in the previous editions and supplying them with all the necessary notes for understanding them easily. R. E. Asher (b. 1926) is Professor Emeritus of Linguistics at the University of Edinburgh, where he also served as Vice-Principal. He holds the degrees of B.A. and Ph.D. in French of the University of London and a D.Litt.
    [Show full text]
  • Asoka's Dhamma
    / ASORA'S DIIAMMA - Ninnal C. Sinha A soka's place is second in the history of Dhamma, second only to ~he founder, Gautama Siddhartha the Buddha. Both Theravada (Southern Buddhist) and Mahayana (Northern Buddhist) traditions agree on this point that Asoka is second to Buddha. Nigrodha or Upagupta, Nagasena or Nagatjuna, both Theravada and Mahayana traditions agree, rank after Asoka. Brahmanical (Hindu) literary works extant bear testimony to Asoka being a great Buddhist. Kalhana in Rajatarangini (12th Cent. A.D.) records Asoka as having adopted the creed of Jina (= Buddha) and as the builder of numerous Stupas and Chaityas. Modem scholars, mostly European, however question the authenticity or purity of Asoka's Dhamma. Critics of Asoka notice the absence of Four Noble Truths, Eight Fold Path and Nirvana from Asoka's Edicts and point to Asoka's mention of Svaga (Svarga) or Heaven in the Edicts. Some scholars hint that Asoka's toleration policy was to accommodate Brahmanical faith while others label Asoka's Dhamma as his invention. In my submission Asoka was a Buddhist first and a Buddhist last. Asoka's own words, that is, Asoka's Edicts substantiate this finding. Inscriptions of Asoka were read and translated by pioneer scholars like Senart, Hultzsch, Bhandarkar, Barua and Woolner. I 5 cannot claim competence to improve on their work and extract mainly from the literal translation of Hultzsch (Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Volume I, London 1925). This ensures that I do not read my own meaning into any word of Asoka. For the same reason I use already done English translation ofPali/Sanskrit texts.
    [Show full text]
  • Mauryan Art and Architecture- Part 1
    Mauryan Art and Architecture- Part 1 drishtiias.com/printpdf/mauryan-art-and-architecture-part-1 Introduction The Great Mauryan ruler Ashoka embraced Buddhism (as a part of shraman tradition) and the immense Buddhist missionary activities that followed during his rule paved the way for the development of Mauryan sculptural and architectural styles. King Ashoka patronized the shraman tradition in the third century BCE. The shraman tradition refers to several Indian religious movements parallel to but separate from the historical vedic religion. It includes Jainism, Buddhism, and others such as Ajivikas, and Carvakas. Background In 321 BC, Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of Chanakya (author of Arthashasthra) founded the Mauryan dynasty after overthrowing Nanda Dynasty. The Mauryan Empire was the first most powerful Indian empire to bring the entire Indian subcontinent under a single rule. The Mauryan empire under Chandragupta Maurya spread its boundaries into Central Asia and Persia. Expansion of Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by his son Bindusara in 298 BC who expanded the kingdom over most of present-day India, except Kalinga. Mauryan Dynasty under Ashoka: Bindusara's kingdom was inherited by his son Ashoka the Great in 274 B.C. Kalinga Invasion: During the invasion of Kalinga, Ashoka renounced bloodshed and adopted the policy of Ahimsa and adopted Buddhism. Mauryan Art and Architecture Mauryan architecture can be divided into Court Art and Popular Art. 1/6 Mauryan Court Art: Implies architectural works (in the form of pillars, stupas and palaces) commissioned by Mauryan rulers for political as well as religious reasons. Palaces: Greek historian, Megasthenes, described the palaces of the Mauryan empire as one of the greatest creations of mankind and Chinese traveler Fa Hien called Mauryan palaces as god gifted monuments.
    [Show full text]