Epigraphia Indica Vol 16 - Book Summary

This document is a collection of inscriptions published in Volume XVI of the Epigraphia Indica, covering the years 1921-1922. The volume, published by the Archaeological Survey of India, was edited by F. W. Thomas and H. Krishna Sastri. It contains a variety of inscriptions, primarily in Sanskrit and Old Kanarese, with some in Prakrit. The inscriptions date from various periods of Indian history, focusing on royal grants, dynastic lineages, religious endowments, and administrative details.

The provided text includes the table of contents, a list of plates, and the full transcriptions and translations of several inscriptions, along with scholarly commentary and notes. Based on the provided text, here is a comprehensive summary of its contents, with a particular focus on the Jain elements:

Overall Scope of Volume XVI, Epigraphia Indica:

The volume presents a wide range of inscriptions from different regions and periods of ancient and medieval India. The contributions come from various scholars, including D. Banerji, R. D. Banerji, V. S. Sukthankar, Lionel D. Barnett, T. A. Gopinatha Rao, Hiralal, K. P. Jayaswal, C. R. Krishnamacharlu, V. Natesa Aiyar, P. E. Pargiter, J. Ph. Vogel, and V. Visvanatha.

Key Inscriptions and Their Significance:

The volume features a significant number of inscriptions related to various ruling dynasties and cultural aspects:

Andhau Stone Inscriptions of the time of Rudradaman (No. 5): These inscriptions, dated to the year 52 of the Satrap era (circa 130 AD), are significant for their Prakrit language and archaic Brahmi script, offering insights into the early Satrap rule. They record the erection of funeral monuments.
Ghosundi Stone Inscription (No. 6): This inscription is crucial for religious history, providing the earliest monumental proof of temples erected to Vasudeva and his brother Samkarshana. It is also the earliest Sanskrit inscription discovered in India, dating back to between 200 BC and 150 BC. It sheds light on the early development of the worship of Krishna.
Lakshmeshwar Inscriptions (No. 8): This section includes three inscriptions from Lakshmeshwar, detailing the history of the cult of Mahā-svayambhu-Sōmēśvara. They cover reigns of Chalukya kings like Vikramaditya VI and Taila III, mentioning prominent ministers, generals, and the religious endowments made by them. These inscriptions also provide details about the administrative divisions and taxation systems of the time.
Mulgund and Lakshmeshwar Jain Inscriptions (No. 9): This is a particularly important section for Jain history. It presents two inscriptions:
- Mulgund Inscription of the reign of Sōmēśvara I (Saka 975): This inscription describes the reign of the Chalukya king Sōmēśvara I and mentions the administration of his son Sōmēśvara II. It details the activities of a prominent Jain sandhi-vigrah-adhikāri named Beļdēva, a disciple of Nayasōna Sūri. It also elaborates on the spiritual lineage of Nayasōna, a renowned grammarian, and records an endowment made to a Jain basti (temple/monastery). The inscription highlights the patronage of Jainism by local rulers and the importance of Jain scholars.
- Lakshmeshwar Inscription of the reign of Vikramaditya VI (A.D. 1081): This inscription refers to the reign of Vikramaditya VI and mentions his feudatory, Iriva-Nolambadhiraja. It also discusses the administrative structure and the activities of a Jain acharya named Amarachārya, for whose monastery an endowment was made.
The Bimaran Vase Inscriptions (No. 13): These inscriptions, found in Afghanistan, are in Kharoshthi characters and are significant for their early date (likely 1st century AD). They record gifts by Sivarachhita, son of Muñjavanda, to the Buddha and for the veneration of all Buddhas. The commentary discusses the linguistic aspects of the words dāna-muhe and their possible meanings.
Sanchi Inscription of Svamin Jivadamana: the 13th year (No. 16): This inscription provides crucial information about Svāmin Jivadāman, an ancestor of the third dynasty of Saurashtra Satraps. It records the excavation of a well and throws light on the chronology of the Satrap rulers. The inscription is significant for its paleographical features, which show archaisms when compared to later Satrap inscriptions. It also contributes to understanding the political situation during the end of the first dynasty of Satraps.

Jain Elements Specifically:

While the volume covers a broad range of inscriptions, No. 9, "Two Jain Inscriptions of Mulgund and Lakshmeshwar," is the most directly relevant to Jainism.

Mulgund Inscription (No. 9 A): This inscription highlights the prominence of Jainism during the reign of the Chalukya king Sōmēśvara I (Saka 975). It specifically mentions:
- The Jina Chandraprabha, whose blessings are invoked at the beginning of the record.
- A pious and eminent Jain sandhi-vigrah-adhikāri named Beļdēva.
- The Jain basti (temple/monastery) which received the endowment.
- The spiritual lineage of Nayasōna Sūri, a renowned grammarian and Jain teacher, which is traced through Ajitasēna Bhattāraka and Kanakasēna Bhattāraka. This lineage provides valuable information about the transmission of Jain philosophical and grammatical knowledge.
- The inscription mentions the use of Saka 975 for dating, placing it in the 11th century AD.
Lakshmeshwar Inscription (No. 9 C): This inscription, from the reign of Jagadēkamalla II, also pertains to the city of Lakshmeshwar, which was a significant center for Jainism. It mentions the Mahā-Svayambhu-Somanātha temple and the Jain acharya Jñanasoma Pandita-dēva, son of Mahendrasoma. It also references Mecharasa, who set up a golden finial on the temple and granted land for its upkeep. The inscription highlights the continued patronage of Jain institutions by the ruling elite.

Other Notable Aspects:

Chronological and Paleographical Details: The volume is rich in details regarding the dating of inscriptions using various eras (Saka, Vikrama, cyclic years) and the analysis of scripts, providing crucial information for establishing historical timelines and understanding the evolution of Brahmi and Kanarese scripts.
Linguistic Analysis: The inscriptions offer insights into the use of Sanskrit, Old Kanarese, and Prakrit, including discussions on grammar, orthography, and the influence of local dialects.
Socio-Religious and Economic Information: The inscriptions document religious practices, temple endowments, land grants, administrative structures, taxation systems, and the social hierarchy of the periods covered. The mention of various officials and their roles, as well as the details of land grants and their stipulations, provide a window into the administrative and economic life of ancient India.
"The First Arya-Siddhanta: True System" (No. 14): This extensive section by Robert Sewell is a detailed work on ancient Indian astronomy and chronology. It provides comprehensive tables and explanations for calculating dates according to the Arya-Siddhanta, a crucial resource for epigraphists dealing with astronomical data in inscriptions. While not directly Jain, it highlights the scientific and intellectual context of the period when Jainism was also flourishing.

In summary, Volume XVI of the Epigraphia Indica is a vital resource for the study of Indian history, epigraphy, and linguistics. Its Jain content, particularly in inscription No. 9, offers specific details about Jain religious practices, monastic lineages, and the patronage of Jainism by ruling dynasties. The volume as a whole demonstrates the collaborative efforts of scholars in piecing together the complex tapestry of ancient Indian civilization through the meticulous study of inscriptions.