Indian Epigraphy c17.18

c17.18

The following news item emanating from New Delhi on the 19th June 1963 appeared in the newspapers : “Asokan Edict on Stone Bowl—A unique instance of an Asokan edict inscribed on a surface other than that of a pillar or a rock-face—the only two known so far—has been recently brought to light, reports UNI. It is a short Kharoshthi inscription engraved around a stone bowl (diameter 20 cm) of Gandhara origin, recently acquired by the Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay. Studies have revealed that it is an exact copy of the major part of the seventh rock edict of Asoka, found at Shahbazgarhi of Peshawar District. The initial portion of the edict consisting of 18 syllables is missing and is probably engraved on the lid of the bowl, which is not available.”² Unfortunately it has not been realised that the inscription is a recent forgery.