The Allahabad pillar inscription is an Ashoka Stambha, constructed by Ashoka, Emperor of the Maurya dynasty who flourished in the third century BCE. One of the most important epigraphic evidences of the Imperial Guptas is the Allahabad Pillar inscription, often known as the Allahabad Prasasti. While it is one of the few remaining pillars holding his edicts, it is notably significant for containing subsequent inscriptions attributed to the Gupta ruler Samudragupta (4th century CE). This article discusses the features of the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, which is important for Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC IAS Exam.

Ashokan Pillar at Prayag Prasasti

Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prasasti) - Features

• "Prayag" refers to a place where something or someone can meet. Prayag is an ancient name for Allahabad because it is the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.
• Prashasti is a eulogy that means "in praise of someone."
• The Allahabad Prasasti was first inscribed on the Ashokan Pillar in Kausambhi, near Allahabad.
• It was later relocated to the Allahabad fort.
• It is an Ashokan Stambh, but it has four different inscriptions,
  • The standard Ashokan inscriptions in Brahmi script are found on all pillars.
  • The Queen's edict lauding Ashoka's wife Kaurwaki's charitable deeds.
  • Inscriptions of Samudragupta (335–375 AD) written by Harisena in Sanskrit and Brahmi script. It discusses Samudragupta's conquests and the boundaries of the Gupta Empire.
  • Jahangir’s Persian inscriptions.

• Some scholars believe that Emperor Akbar himself moved the pillar from its original location and installed it within Akbar's Allahabad Fort in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
• But this theory is challenged by other scholars who point to the lack of any confirmatory evidence that the pillar was moved and pre-Mughal inscriptions indicating that it was already present in its current location.

Inscriptions attribute to Samudragupta

• It is written in Champu kavya style, which is very basic and elegant in Sanskrit.
• It contains a list of Samudragupta's accomplishments.
• The conquests of Samudragupta and the bounds of the Gupta Empire are mentioned in this inscription, which is a glorification of Samudragupta.
• According to this inscription, Samudragupta destroyed 9 kings in the north and 12 kings in the south and made all of the Atavika nations tributary states.
• More than five states in the frontier states submitted and acknowledged his suzerainty, according to the document. He maintained strong ties with the Ceylonese monarchy and South East Asian territories.
• Harissa describes Samudragupta as a "hero of 100 wars" in his eulogy, which has been testified by a seal of Samudragupta bearing a horse attested to him performing Ashvamedha Yajna.
• After Pushyamitra Shunga, this was most likely the first Ashvamedha.
• In his coins, he is shown playing the Veena. He gave the king of Ceylon permission to construct a monastery in Bodhgaya.
• Harissa also referred to him as Kaviraja, indicating that he was a patron of the arts of poetry as well as a poet. Samudragupta was also given the name Vikramanka.

Allahabad Pillar Inscription

Conclusion

Historians, both ancient and modern, have weighed in  the historical significance of Allahabad Prasasti. The renowned Allahabad Prasasti, also known as the Allahabad Pillar inscription, has an impressive list of rulers and tribal republics acquired by Samudragupta. The inscription is a panegyric praising Samudragupta and highlighting his political and military achievements, notably his southern expeditions. It contains the majority of what is known about the geopolitical situation of the time and provides a unique perspective on the Gupta empire and its neighbors.