Indian Epigraphy c11.t1.1

c11.t1.1

The word *śāsana* means a *rāja-śāsana* or royal charter, and *tāmra-śāsana* ‘a royal charter engraved on [a plate or plates of ] copper’.¹ Ancient Indian authorities classify *rāja-śāsana* under three heads, viz. (i) *dāna-śāsana* recording gifts, (2) *prasāda-śāsana* recording various kinds of favour, and (3) *jaya-patra* declaring the victory of one of the parties in a dispute.² Most of the records of ancient Indian rulers so far discovered however belong to the firs category.