On the Origin of the Indian Brahma Alphabet c3.16

c3.16

The dates of the incision of the following Aśoka inscriptions are clearly ascertainable and undisputed, (1) of the Barābar Hill Cave inscrs *A* and *B*, dated in Aśoka’s 13^th year, (2) of the Barābar H. C. inscr. *C*, dated in the 20^th year, (3) of the Niglīva and Paḍeria pillar inscrs, dated in the 21^st year, (4) of the first six so-called Pillar Edicts, dated in the 27^th year, and (5) of the seventh edict on the Dehli-Sivalik pillar, dated in the 28^th year. If Aśoka’s coronation is fixed with Professor Max Müller in B. C. 259, these inscriptions range from B. C. 246—231; according to Professor Lassen’s views they would fall each four years earlier, and according to Professor Kern, six years. As far as the evidence of the Aśoka edicts goes, the Sānchi and Bharahut inscriptions might, therefore, be placed at least a quarter of a century earlier than the ‘examen sérieux’ assumes.