Epigraphia Indica Vol 32

This text is the table of contents and introductory material for Volume XXXII (1957-1958) of the Epigraphia Indica, published by the Archaeological Survey of India. This volume contains a collection of various inscriptions, predominantly in Sanskrit and Prakrit, and some in Tamil and Kannada, dating from different periods of Indian history.

Here's a breakdown of the key information presented in these pages:

1. Publication Details:

• Title: Epigraphia Indica, Volume XXXII (1957-1958)
• Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
• Editors: Dr. D. C. Sircar and Dr. B. Ch. Chhabra
• Publication Year: Original publication in 1962, with a reprint in 1987.
• Price: Rs. 140.00 (for the 1987 reprint).

2. Contents (Articles): The volume features a comprehensive collection of 42 articles, each focusing on a specific inscription or a group of related inscriptions. These articles cover a wide range of historical periods and geographical locations across India. The topics include:

• Early Inscriptions: Edicts of Ashoka (Erragudi, Sopara).
• Dynastic Records: Plates and inscriptions from various dynasties like Yadava, Rashtrakuta, Silahara, Chandella, Paramara, Ganga, Chalukya, Pallava, Pandya, Kamarupa, and others.
• Specific Types of Records: Gold coins (Dandinagova), sacrificial inscriptions (Sonda).
• Geographical Coverage: Inscriptions from various districts and regions of India, including Andhra Pradesh (Guntur, Kurnool), Maharashtra (Ahmednagar, Thana), Karnataka (Dharwar), Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, and the Arakan region (Burma, indicating extended scope).

3. Authors: The articles are contributed by several prominent epigraphists and historians, including:

• D. C. Sircar
• B. Ch. Chhabra
• D. G. Koparkar
• P. B. Desai
• Krishna Deva
• G. S. Gai
• B. R. Gopal and Shrinivas Ritti
• V. B. Kolte
• K. G. Krishnan
• H. K. Narasimhaswami and K. G. Krishnan
• K. A. Nilakanta Sastri and T. N. Subramaniam
• Sadhu Ram
• S. Sankaranarayanan
• P. Seshadri Sastri
• M. Somasekhara Sarma
• K. D. Swaminathan
• N. Venkataramanayya and M. Somasekhara Sarma

4. Plates: The volume is richly illustrated with numerous plates (photographic reproductions or drawings) of the inscriptions, which are crucial for the detailed study and verification of the texts. The list of plates indicates the specific inscriptions they relate to.

5. Additions and Corrections: A significant portion of the introductory pages is dedicated to "Additions and Corrections" for Volume XXXI and Volume XXXII. This section highlights numerous corrections to misprints, readings, and references in previously published articles, demonstrating the rigorous scholarly process involved in epigraphical studies.

Overall Significance: Volume XXXII of the Epigraphia Indica serves as a vital resource for understanding the socio-political, religious, and economic history of ancient and medieval India through the direct evidence of inscriptions. It showcases the diversity of scripts, languages, and the historical narratives preserved in these ancient records. The collaboration of multiple scholars and the detailed presentation of each inscription, including its palaeography, language, historical context, and translation, make this volume a cornerstone for research in Indian epigraphy and history.

While the text provided does not focus on Jainism exclusively, the broad scope of Indian inscriptions means that Jain religious texts, rulers, or communities might be mentioned within some of the detailed articles, but this cannot be inferred from the table of contents alone. The primary focus is on the scholarly publication and analysis of a wide array of historical inscriptions.