The source of elephant cave inscription to know the history of ancient India is related to which dynasty?
Kharwel dynasty
Understanding the Elephant Cave Inscription (Hathigumpha Inscription)
The Elephant Cave inscription, also widely known as the Hathigumpha inscription, is a very important historical source for understanding the history of ancient India. It is found in Odisha, India, on the Udayagiri hills.
This inscription is basically a set of seventeen lines carved in the Brahmi script and written in the Prakrit language. It provides a detailed account of the reign of a powerful king.
Identifying the Dynasty
The Hathigumpha inscription specifically talks about the achievements and life events of King Kharavela. King Kharavela was a ruler of the Kalinga kingdom in ancient times.
Historical records and analysis of the inscription strongly associate King Kharavela with the Mahameghavahana dynasty, which is also commonly referred to as the Kharavela dynasty based on this prominent ruler.
Let's look at why the other options are not correct in relation to the Elephant Cave inscription:
- Gupta dynasty: The Gupta period came much later than the time of King Kharavela. Important sources for the Gupta dynasty include inscriptions like the Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudragupta or various coins.
- Shung dynasty: The Shunga dynasty ruled after the Mauryas. Sources for this period include texts like the Mahabhashya of Patanjali and some inscriptions, but not the Hathigumpha inscription.
- Pal dynasty: The Pala dynasty ruled in Bengal and Bihar much later, during the medieval period of Indian history. Sources for the Pal dynasty include their own inscriptions and literary works from that time.
Therefore, the Elephant Cave inscription is directly linked to King Kharavela and his dynasty, the Kharavela dynasty (Mahameghavahana dynasty), making it a crucial source for the history of that specific period and region in ancient India.
Important Questions from Post Mauryan Age
Which of the following statement is correct?
I. Most of the Ashoka’'s inscriptions were in Prakrit language.
Il. Kalinga is the ancient name of coastal Orissa.
Which of these statements are correct
(A) Shaka administration continued largely along the lines of the Achaemenid and Seleucid system in Iran
(B) The kingdom during Shaka was divided into provinces, each under a military governor called Mahakshatrapa
(C) Another official title was Meridrach, an officer in charge of designated area in Shaka administration
(D) The minting of some coins during shakas in joint names of two rulers meant that the king associated himself with a ruler of lesser status
(E) Shaka kings took lesser titles as Samant
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Which of these statements are correct
(A) The post-Mauryan centuries saw a great spurt in the minting of coins
(B) The kings of the north-west imitated Greek. Roman and Iranian coin-types
(C) The increasing use of money did not drive out the barter systems, particularly in rural areas in post-Maurya period
(D) During post-Mauryas diverse use of coins indicates the variant trading economies
(E) Gold coins during post-Mauryas were Nishka & Suvarna and silver coins Shatamana were in use
Choose the most appopriate answer from the options given below:
Which of the following is not mentioned in the Satavahana inscriptions, while specifying the exemptions granted to the donees of land-gifts ?
Kanishka was a ruler of ______ dynasty.
