Indian Epigraphy c1: Front matter

Indian Epigraphy c1

Language: English

Front matter

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D. C. SIRCAR *Carmichael Professor of Ancient Indian History and Culture,* *University of Calcutta*

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MOTILAL BANARSIDASS DELHI :: VARANASI :: PATNA

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Published by Sundarlal Jain, Motilal Banarsidass, Bungalow Road Jawahar Nagar, Delhi-7, and Printed by Shantilal Jain, Shri Jainendra Press, Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi-7.

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G. Bühler, F. Kielhorn, J. F. Fleet, E. Hultzsch

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*and other Savants to whose writings the Author owes*

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*his little knowledge of Indian Epigraphy.*

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1. Indian Inscriptions 1
2. Reconstruction of Early Indian History 7
3. Historical Perspective 13
4. Merits of Epigraphical Evidence 17
5. Demerits of Epigraphic Evidence 23

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1. Study of the Subject 31
2. Nature of the Records 33
3. Language 34
4. Palaeography and Calligraphy 36
5. Historical Importance 37

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1. Tamil (Tamiḷ) 46
2. Kannaḍa (Kanarese) 48
3. Telugu (Tĕlugu, Tĕnugu) 49
4. Malayāḷam and Tulu 51

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1. Marāṭhī 53
2. Hindī and its Dialects and Allied Languages 55
3. Gujarātī 56
4. Kashmīrī and Allied Dialects 57
5. Oriya (Oḍiyā) 58
6. Bengalī (Vaṅgālī) and Maithilī 59
7. Assamese (Asamīyā) 60

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1. Palmyra Leaves 61
2. Birch and Aloe Bark 63
3. Cloth and Hide 65
4. Paper 67
5. Wood 68

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1. Stone 70
2. Earthen Objects 73
3. Shells and other Non-Metallic Objects 74
4. Copper 74
5. Gold and Silver 77
6. Bronze, Iron and other Metals 78

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1. Ink 79
2. Pen and other Instruments 119

1. Writing and Engraving 83
2. Illustration and Ornamentation 88 3. Omission, Correction and Pagination 90
4. Auspicious Symbols 92
5. Preservation of Copper-plate Grants 97
6. Treatment of Letters 99
7. Preservation of Manuscripts 100

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CHAPTER V

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COPPER-PLATE GRANTS

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SECTION I

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ROYAL CHARTERS AND CONNECTED PROBLEMS

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1. Rāja-śāsana 103
2. Other Types of Śāsanas 109
3. Creation of Rent-free Holdings 114

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SECTION II

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SPECIMENS OF RĀJA-ŚĀSANA

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1. Form 120
2. Classification of Contents 126
3. Preamble 127
4. Notification 134
5. Conclusion 141
6. Seals 150

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Appendix I

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MEANING OF ‘UPAGATA’, ETC. 161

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Appendix II

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STANZAS ON BHŪMI-DĀNA QUOTED IN RĀJA-ŚĀSANAS 170

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CHAPTER VI

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INDIAN EPIGRAPHY ABROAD 202

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1. Central Asia 205
2. Ceylon 208
3. Burma, Siam (Thailand) and Malay Peninsula 210
4. Indonesia 212
5. Cambodia 214
6. South Annam 217

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CHAPTER VII

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DATING AND THE ERAS

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DATES IN INDIAN EPIGRAPHS

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1. Nature of the Dates 219
2. Numbers expressed by Words 228
3. Numbers expressed by Letters 233
4. Regnal Reckoning and Connected Problems 235
5. Introduction of Reckoning in Eras 242

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SECTION II

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SOME CURRENT RECKONINGS

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1. Vikrama Era 251
2. Śaka Era 258
3. Jupiter's Sixty-year Cycle 267
4. Kollam (Kolamba) Era 269
5. Nevārī Era and other Reckonings of Nepāl 270
6. Lakṣmaṇasena Era and Allied Reckonings 271
7. Christian Era 278

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SECTION III

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OBSOLETE RECKONINGS

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1. Parthian or Arsacid Era 281
2. Kalacuri or Cedi Era 282
3. Gupta or Valabhī Era 284
4. Jupiter's Twelve-year Cycle 288
5. Gaṅga or Gāṅgeya Era 289
6. Harṣa Era 291
7. Bhauma-Kara Era 297
8. Cālukya-Vikrama Era 302
9. Siṃha Era 304
10. Puḍuvaippu Era 305
11. Cochbihar (Kocavihāra) Era 306
12. Ilāhī Era 306
13. Śivājī's Coronation Era 307