Indian Epigraphy c9.t7: 2. Earthen Objects
Indian Epigraphy c9.t7
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2. Earthen Objects
c9.t7.1
Among inscriptions on bricks, mention may be made of a number of Buddhist Dhāraṇīs and Sūtras incised on such material as well as royal epigraphs recording achievements like the celebration of the Aśvamedha.⁴ Bricks bearing inscriptions of the latter class were apparently fixed into structures like the platform constructed for the performance of the horse-sacrifice.
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⁴ For Buddhist works on bricks, see Cunningham, ASR, Vol. I, p. 47; Vol. V, p. 102; etc. See also CII, Vol. II, Part i, p. 137. For the brick inscriptions referring to the horse-sacrifice performed by kings Devimitra, Dāmamitra and Śilavarman, see Ep. Ind., Vol. XXX, pp. 118ff.; Vol. XXXIII, pp. 99 ff.; Indian Archaeology, 1953-54, Plate XV. For other interesting brick inscriptions, cf. Ep., Ind., Vol. XXI, pp. 193ff.; Vol. XXIV, pp. 20ff.; A. R. Ep., 1951-52, No. B262; 1952-53, Nos. B477, 499-500, 508, 513-14.
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Sometimes votive records were also engraved on lumps of clay, which were later baked and burnt. Clay seals and sealings, both burnt and unburnt, have been discovered in various sites of North India in large numbers.⁵ These seals belonged to private individuals, offices and officials, religious institutions, etc. Earthen pots were often inscribed, generally before being burnt. A large number of potsherds bearing inscriptions have been discovered.⁶ Some such pots were meant for being dedicated in favour of religious institutions or were specially made for some particular purpose such as interring the relics of a Sati.¹ As indicated above, the letters were generally either embossed or scratched on moist clay before the earthen material was baked.²
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⁵ See, e.g., Mem. ASI, No. 66. For terracotta plaques and tablets, see CII, Vol. II, Part i, p. 177; Indian Archaeology, 1955-56, Plate XLIII; A. R. Ep., 1952-53, No. B489.
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⁶ See, e. g., CII, Vol. II, Part i, pp. 173 ff.; Ep. Ind., Vol. XXVIII, pp. 125 ff.
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¹ Cf. JAHRS, Vol. XIX, pp. 203 ff.
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² Cf. Proc. ASB, 1896, pp. 9 ff.; see Ep. Ind., Vol. XXX, pp. 85ff. and Plate.
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Inscribed bricks were sometimes fixed into brick-made pillars.