An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c19.s6.6

v1.c19.s6.6

*14.6.2 Masons' marks.* Masons' marks, i.e. marks or symbols incised on stones used in buildings consist of letters of the alphabet, symbols or personal names in early historical and late historical periods. It is likely that the marks were used by guilds or individuals working on a contract basis. Perhaps it is for this reason that at the same site many types of marks are available. The occurrence of the same mark at two different places separated by time and space may suggest either a migration of masons or guilds or the use of the same marks by their descendants in a heraldic manner. In Stūpa 2 at Sanchi the occurrence of Kharoṣṭhī [20.4.3] letters as against Brāhmī [20.4.2] has been interpreted as signifying the employment of workers from the n.-w. who were also responsible for the carving of foreign art motifs and figures there. At NAGARJUNAKONDA the marks show that particular guilds specialized in special types of work and that the same guild was also associated with the works at AMARAVATI. Another emergent fact is that starting with modest constructions a guild in course of time rose to prominence to participate in large-scale constructions. In the early railing of BODH-GAYA same Brāhmī letters were used on the pillar-shafts and again on the fixed pillar-bases, so that while fixing the pillars the right shaft would go into the right base.