Prashasti - Revision history

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			{{Short description\|Indian genre of inscriptions}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2019}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2019}}
	{{italics title}}		{{italics title}}
	[[File:Ashoka_Rock_Edict_at_Junagadh.jpg\|thumb\|The [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]] contains an early Prashasti, by [[Western Satrap]] ruler [[Rudradaman I]], circa 150 CE.]]		[[File:Ashoka_Rock_Edict_at_Junagadh.jpg\|thumb\|The [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]] contains an early Prashasti, by [[Western Satrap]] ruler [[Rudradaman I]], circa 150 CE.]]
	'''''Prashasti''''' ([[IAST]]: Praśasti, [[Sanskrit]] for "praise") is an Indian genre of inscriptions composed by poets in praise of their rulers. Most date from the 6th century CE onwards. Written in the form of poetry or ornate prose, the ''prashastis'' stereotypically constructed a ~~geneology~~, the ruler's attributes, eulogize victories, piety and typically ended with one or more announcements of generous gifts and rewards he has given.<ref name="Kumkum_2008">{{cite book \|author=Kumkum Roy \|title=Historical Dictionary of Ancient India \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pOgbXu_o4uwC&pg=PA252 \|year=2008 \|publisher=Scarecrow Press \|isbn=978-1-4616-5917-4 \|page=252 }}</ref><ref name=sircar/> They differ from the so-called "Cultic" genre of Indian inscriptions which praise a deity, religious founder (Buddha, Tirthankara, sub-tradition of Hinduism), guru, or sages then typically announces gifts or donations to a monastery, school, temple or a generous cause.{{sfn\|Salomon\|1998\|pp=122–124}} In some epigraphic literature, a ''prashasti'' is considered synonymous with a ''kirti'' or ''purva'', and is related to the word ''kirtana'' which implies "songs and praises of" someone or a deity.<ref ~~name~~>Sircar, D.C. (1996), Indian Epigraphy, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN\|978-81-208-1166-9}}, pages 3–4 with footnotes</ref>		'''''Prashasti''''' ([[IAST]]: Praśasti, [[Sanskrit]] for "praise") is an Indian genre of inscriptions composed by poets in praise of their rulers. Most date from the 6th century CE onwards. Written in the form of poetry or ornate prose, the ''prashastis'' stereotypically constructed a genealogy, the ruler's attributes, eulogize victories, piety and typically ended with one or more announcements of generous gifts and rewards he has given.<ref name="Kumkum_2008">{{cite book \|author=Kumkum Roy \|title=Historical Dictionary of Ancient India \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pOgbXu_o4uwC&pg=PA252 \|year=2008 \|publisher=Scarecrow Press \|isbn=978-1-4616-5917-4 \|page=252 }}</ref><ref name=sircar/> They differ from the so-called "Cultic" genre of Indian inscriptions which praise a deity, religious founder (Buddha, Tirthankara, sub-tradition of Hinduism), guru, or sages then typically announces gifts or donations to a monastery, school, temple or a generous cause.{{sfn\|Salomon\|1998\|pp=122–124}} In some epigraphic literature, a ''prashasti'' is considered synonymous with a ''kirti'' or ''purva'', and is related to the word ''kirtana'' which implies "songs and praises of" someone or a deity.<ref>Sircar, D.C. (1996), Indian Epigraphy, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN\|978-81-208-1166-9}}, pages 3–4 with footnotes</ref>

	{{Quote box		{{Quote box
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	The ''prashastis'' generally contained ornate titles, links to mythical legends or comparisons to deities, and often fabricated stories about wars, victories, loot and attributes.<ref name=sircar>Sircar, D.C. (1996), Indian Epigraphy, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN\|978-81-208-1166-9}}, pp. 24–28</ref><ref name="Bernard_2013">{{cite book \|author=Bernard Bate \|title=Tamil Oratory and the Dravidian Aesthetic: Democratic Practice in South India \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8uP7LHS3cDMC&pg=PT151 \|year=2013 \|publisher=Columbia University Press \|isbn=978-0-231-51940-3 \|page=151 }}</ref> For example, they would create genealogies of the rulers linked to solar or lunar dynasties, and in their praise allude to legendary heroes from Indian myths and legends such as those found in Epics and the Puranas.<ref name="Kumkum_2008"/>		The ''prashastis'' generally contained ornate titles, links to mythical legends or comparisons to deities, and often fabricated stories about wars, victories, loot and attributes.<ref name=sircar>Sircar, D.C. (1996), Indian Epigraphy, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN\|978-81-208-1166-9}}, pp. 24–28</ref><ref name="Bernard_2013">{{cite book \|author=Bernard Bate \|title=Tamil Oratory and the Dravidian Aesthetic: Democratic Practice in South India \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8uP7LHS3cDMC&pg=PT151 \|year=2013 \|publisher=Columbia University Press \|isbn=978-0-231-51940-3 \|page=151 }}</ref> For example, they would create genealogies of the rulers linked to solar or lunar dynasties, and in their praise allude to legendary heroes from Indian myths and legends such as those found in Epics and the Puranas.<ref name="Kumkum_2008"/>

	The earliest well known example of an extensive ''prashasti'' is the [[Hathigumpha inscription]] of Kharavela inscribed in or about the 1st-century BCE in Prakrit language and Brahmi script.<ref>{{citation \|last=Singh \|first=Upinder \|author-link=Upinder Singh \|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pq2iCwAAQBAJ \| year=2016 \|isbn=978-81-317-1677-9\| pages=47–49 }}</ref> The earliest ''prashastic'' inscription in classical Sanskrit language is the [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]] (circa 150 CE), which became a prototype for Gupta era poetic prashastis in Sanskrit. According to [[Richard G. Salomon (~~academic~~)\|Richard G. Salomon]] – a scholar of South Asian inscriptions, the inscription is the first extensive panegyric record in the poetic style. The style of [[Rudradaman I\|Rudradaman]]'s inscription is seen in later ''prashasti'' inscriptions.{{sfn\|Salomon\|1998\|p=89}}<ref name="SI">{{cite book \|last1=Ichimura \|first1=Shōhei \|title=Buddhist Critical Spirituality: Prajñā and Śūnyatā \|date=2001 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publisher \|isbn=9788120817982 \|page=45 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xTW6XNxOxbkC&pg=PA45 \|language=en}}</ref>		The earliest well known example of an extensive ''prashasti'' is the [[Hathigumpha inscription]] of Kharavela inscribed in or about the 1st-century BCE in Prakrit language and Brahmi script.<ref>{{citation \|last=Singh \|first=Upinder \|author-link=Upinder Singh \|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pq2iCwAAQBAJ \| year=2016 \|isbn=978-81-317-1677-9\| pages=47–49 }}</ref> The earliest ''prashastic'' inscription in classical Sanskrit language is the [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]] (circa 150 CE), which became a prototype for Gupta era poetic prashastis in Sanskrit. According to [[Richard G. Salomon (professor of Asian studies)\|Richard G. Salomon]] – a scholar of South Asian inscriptions, the inscription is the first extensive panegyric record in the poetic style. The style of [[Rudradaman I\|Rudradaman]]'s inscription is seen in later ''prashasti'' inscriptions.{{sfn\|Salomon\|1998\|p=89}}<ref name="SI">{{cite book \|last1=Ichimura \|first1=Shōhei \|title=Buddhist Critical Spirituality: Prajñā and Śūnyatā \|date=2001 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publisher \|isbn=9788120817982 \|page=45 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xTW6XNxOxbkC&pg=PA45 \|language=en}}</ref>

	The [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] ''[[meikeerthi\|meykeerthi]]'' inscriptions are similar to the ''prashastis'', but feature far more standardized formats.<ref name="Bernard_2013"/>		The [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] ''[[meikeerthi\|meykeerthi]]'' inscriptions are similar to the ''prashastis'', but feature far more standardized formats.<ref name="Bernard_2013"/>
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	== Examples ==		== Examples ==
	* [[Gautamiputra Satakarni#Imperial extent according to Nashik prashasti\|Nashik prashasti]] (2nd century CE), [[Satavahana dynasty]]		* [[Gautamiputra Satakarni#Imperial extent according to Nashik prashasti\|Nashik prashasti]] (2nd century CE), [[Satavahana dynasty]]
	* [[Prayaga prashasti]] (4th century CE), [[Gupta ~~dynasty~~]]: Lists the rulers against whom the Gupta king [[Samudragupta]] fought. It also describes the policy that he followed toward each set of rulers.		* [[Prayaga prashasti]] (4th century CE), [[Gupta Empire]]: Lists the rulers against whom the Gupta king [[Samudragupta]] fought. It also describes the policy that he followed toward each set of rulers.
	* [[Velvikudi inscription]] (c. 8th century CE), [[Pandya dynasty]]		* [[Velvikudi inscription]] (c. 8th century CE), [[Pandya dynasty]]
	* [[Deopara Prashasti]] (12th century CE), [[Sena dynasty]]		* [[Deopara Prashasti]] (12th century CE), [[Sena dynasty]]
			* [[Raj Prashasti]] (17th century CE), [[Kingdom of Mewar\|Mewar dynasty]]
			* [[Gadhwa Stone Inscriptions]] ([[Garhwa Fort]]) (5th century CE).

	== References ==		== References ==

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← Older revision		Revision as of 08:20, 31 August 2021
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	{{italics title}}		{{italics title}}
	[[File:Ashoka_Rock_Edict_at_Junagadh.jpg\|thumb\|The [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]] contains an early Prashasti, by [[Western Satrap]] ruler [[Rudradaman I]], circa 150 CE.]]		[[File:Ashoka_Rock_Edict_at_Junagadh.jpg\|thumb\|The [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]] contains an early Prashasti, by [[Western Satrap]] ruler [[Rudradaman I]], circa 150 CE.]]
	'''''Prashasti''''' ([[IAST]]: Praśasti, [[Sanskrit]] for "praise") inscriptions ~~are [[eulogy\|euologistic]] inscriptions issued~~ by ~~Indian~~ rulers from 6th century CE onwards. Written in form of poetry or ornate prose, the ''prashastis'' ~~were generally composed by~~ the ~~court poets~~.<ref name="Kumkum_2008">{{cite book \|author=Kumkum Roy \|title=Historical Dictionary of Ancient India \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pOgbXu_o4uwC&pg=PA252 \|year=2008 \|publisher=Scarecrow Press \|isbn=978-1-4616-5917-4 \|page=252 }}</ref>		'''''Prashasti''''' ([[IAST]]: Praśasti, [[Sanskrit]] for "praise") is an Indian genre of inscriptions composed by poets in praise of their rulers. Most date from the 6th century CE onwards. Written in the form of poetry or ornate prose, the ''prashastis'' stereotypically constructed a geneology, the ruler's attributes, eulogize victories, piety and typically ended with one or more announcements of generous gifts and rewards he has given.<ref name="Kumkum_2008">{{cite book \|author=Kumkum Roy \|title=Historical Dictionary of Ancient India \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pOgbXu_o4uwC&pg=PA252 \|year=2008 \|publisher=Scarecrow Press \|isbn=978-1-4616-5917-4 \|page=252 }}</ref><ref name=sircar/> They differ from the so-called "Cultic" genre of Indian inscriptions which praise a deity, religious founder (Buddha, Tirthankara, sub-tradition of Hinduism), guru, or sages then typically announces gifts or donations to a monastery, school, temple or a generous cause.{{sfn\|Salomon\|1998\|pp=122–124}} In some epigraphic literature, a ''prashasti'' is considered synonymous with a ''kirti'' or ''purva'', and is related to the word ''kirtana'' which implies "songs and praises of" someone or a deity.<ref name>Sircar, D.C. (1996), Indian Epigraphy, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN\|978-81-208-1166-9}}, pages 3–4 with footnotes</ref>

	The ''prashastis'' generally contained ~~genealogies of the rulers (~~or ~~other issuers subordinate~~ to ~~them)~~, ~~their achievements (especially military activities)~~, ~~their comparisons with legendary heroes~~ and ~~other details~~.<ref name=~~"Kumkum_2008"/~~> ~~The inscriptions issued by the subordinates often recognized the rulers as the descendant of a deity~~, ~~and bestowed titles and honours upon them~~.<ref name="Bernard_2013">{{cite book \|author=Bernard Bate \|title=Tamil Oratory and the Dravidian Aesthetic: Democratic Practice in South India \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8uP7LHS3cDMC&pg=PT151 \|year=2013 \|publisher=Columbia University Press \|isbn=978-0-231-51940-3 \|page=151 }}</ref>		{{Quote box
			\|quote = <poem>He is the King of Peace, the King of Prosperity,
			the King of Monks (bhikshus), the King of Religion (Dharma),
			who has been seeing, hearing and realising blessings (kalyanas),
			(... lost ...) accomplished in extraordinary virtues,
			respector of every sect, the repairer of all temples,
			one whose chariot and army are irresistible,
			one whose empire is protected by the chief of the empire (himself),
			descended from the family of the Royal Sage Vasu,
			the Great conqueror, the King, the illustrious Kharavela.
			</poem>
			\|source = — Lines 16–17, c. 1st-century BCE [[Hathigumpha inscription]]<ref>{{cite book \|author1= K P Jayaswal\| author2 = R D Banerji\|title= Epigraphia Indica Volume XX \|year=1920 \|url= https://archive.org/details/epigrahiaindicav014769mbp \|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India \|pages= 75–89 with footnotes}}, {{PD-notice}}</ref>
			\|bgcolor=#FFD0AA
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			}}
			The ''prashastis'' generally contained ornate titles, links to mythical legends or comparisons to deities, and often fabricated stories about wars, victories, loot and attributes.<ref name=sircar>Sircar, D.C. (1996), Indian Epigraphy, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN\|978-81-208-1166-9}}, pp. 24–28</ref><ref name="Bernard_2013">{{cite book \|author=Bernard Bate \|title=Tamil Oratory and the Dravidian Aesthetic: Democratic Practice in South India \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8uP7LHS3cDMC&pg=PT151 \|year=2013 \|publisher=Columbia University Press \|isbn=978-0-231-51940-3 \|page=151 }}</ref> For example, they would create genealogies of the rulers linked to solar or lunar dynasties, and in their praise allude to legendary heroes from Indian myths and legends such as those found in Epics and the Puranas.<ref name="Kumkum_2008"/>

	~~One~~ of the first ~~known~~ prashastic inscription in Sanskrit is the [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]] (circa 150 CE)~~, the first long inscription in fairly standard [[Sanskrit]] that has survived into the modern era~~, which became a prototype for Gupta era poetic prashastis. According to ~~American scholar~~ [[Richard G. Salomon (academic)\|Richard G. Salomon]], the inscription ~~"represents a turning point in the history of epigraphic Sanskrit. This~~ is ~~the first long inscription recorded entirely in more or less standard Sanskrit, as well as~~ the first extensive record in the poetic style. ~~Although further specimens~~ of ~~such poetic prasastis in Sanskrit are not found until the Gupta era, from a stylistic point of view~~ [[Rudradaman I\|Rudradaman]]'s inscription is ~~clearly their prototype"~~.{{sfn\|Salomon\|1998\|p=89}}<ref name="SI">{{cite book \|last1=Ichimura \|first1=Shōhei \|title=Buddhist Critical Spirituality: Prajñā and Śūnyatā \|date=2001 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publisher \|isbn=9788120817982 \|page=45 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xTW6XNxOxbkC&pg=PA45 \|language=en}}</ref>		The earliest well known example of an extensive ''prashasti'' is the [[Hathigumpha inscription]] of Kharavela inscribed in or about the 1st-century BCE in Prakrit language and Brahmi script.<ref>{{citation \|last=Singh \|first=Upinder \|author-link=Upinder Singh \|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pq2iCwAAQBAJ \| year=2016 \|isbn=978-81-317-1677-9\| pages=47–49 }}</ref> The earliest ''prashastic'' inscription in classical Sanskrit language is the [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]] (circa 150 CE), which became a prototype for Gupta era poetic prashastis in Sanskrit. According to [[Richard G. Salomon (academic)\|Richard G. Salomon]] – a scholar of South Asian inscriptions, the inscription is the first extensive panegyric record in the poetic style. The style of [[Rudradaman I\|Rudradaman]]'s inscription is seen in later ''prashasti'' inscriptions.{{sfn\|Salomon\|1998\|p=89}}<ref name="SI">{{cite book \|last1=Ichimura \|first1=Shōhei \|title=Buddhist Critical Spirituality: Prajñā and Śūnyatā \|date=2001 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publisher \|isbn=9788120817982 \|page=45 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xTW6XNxOxbkC&pg=PA45 \|language=en}}</ref>

	The [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] ''[[meikeerthi\|meykeerthi]]'' inscriptions are similar to the ''prashastis'', but feature far more standardized formats.<ref name="Bernard_2013"/>		The [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] ''[[meikeerthi\|meykeerthi]]'' inscriptions are similar to the ''prashastis'', but feature far more standardized formats.<ref name="Bernard_2013"/>
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	[[Category:Indian inscriptions]]		[[Category:Indian inscriptions]]


	~~{{India-hist-stub}}~~

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{italics title}}
[[File:Ashoka_Rock_Edict_at_Junagadh.jpg|thumb|The [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]] contains an early Prashasti, by [[Western Satrap]] ruler [[Rudradaman I]], circa 150 CE.]]
'''''Prashasti''''' ([[IAST]]: Praśasti, [[Sanskrit]] for "praise") inscriptions are [[eulogy|euologistic]] inscriptions issued by Indian rulers from 6th century CE onwards. Written in form of poetry or ornate prose, the ''prashastis'' were generally composed by the court poets.<ref name="Kumkum_2008">{{cite book |author=Kumkum Roy |title=Historical Dictionary of Ancient India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pOgbXu_o4uwC&pg=PA252 |year=2008 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-1-4616-5917-4 |page=252 }}</ref>

The ''prashastis'' generally contained genealogies of the rulers (or other issuers subordinate to them), their achievements (especially military activities), their comparisons with legendary heroes and other details.<ref name="Kumkum_2008"/> The inscriptions issued by the subordinates often recognized the rulers as the descendant of a deity, and bestowed titles and honours upon them.<ref name="Bernard_2013">{{cite book |author=Bernard Bate |title=Tamil Oratory and the Dravidian Aesthetic: Democratic Practice in South India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8uP7LHS3cDMC&pg=PT151 |year=2013 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-51940-3 |page=151 }}</ref>

One of the first known prashastic inscription in Sanskrit is the [[Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman]] (circa 150 CE), the first long inscription in fairly standard [[Sanskrit]] that has survived into the modern era, which became a prototype for Gupta era poetic prashastis. According to American scholar [[Richard G. Salomon (academic)|Richard G. Salomon]], the inscription "represents a turning point in the history of epigraphic Sanskrit. This is the first long inscription recorded entirely in more or less standard Sanskrit, as well as the first extensive record in the poetic style. Although further specimens of such poetic prasastis in Sanskrit are not found until the Gupta era, from a stylistic point of view [[Rudradaman I|Rudradaman]]'s inscription is clearly their prototype".{{sfn|Salomon|1998|p=89}}<ref name="SI">{{cite book |last1=Ichimura |first1=Shōhei |title=Buddhist Critical Spirituality: Prajñā and Śūnyatā |date=2001 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publisher |isbn=9788120817982 |page=45 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xTW6XNxOxbkC&pg=PA45 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Tamil language|Tamil]] ''[[meikeerthi|meykeerthi]]'' inscriptions are similar to the ''prashastis'', but feature far more standardized formats.<ref name="Bernard_2013"/>

== Examples ==
* [[Gautamiputra Satakarni#Imperial extent according to Nashik prashasti|Nashik prashasti]] (2nd century CE), [[Satavahana dynasty]]
* [[Prayaga prashasti]] (4th century CE), [[Gupta dynasty]]: Lists the rulers against whom the Gupta king [[Samudragupta]] fought. It also describes the policy that he followed toward each set of rulers.
* [[Velvikudi inscription]] (c. 8th century CE), [[Pandya dynasty]]
* [[Deopara Prashasti]] (12th century CE), [[Sena dynasty]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{Cite book | last=Salomon | first=Richard | title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages | publisher=Oxford University Press | place=Oxford | year=1998 | isbn=0-19-509984-2}}

[[Category:Indian inscriptions]]

{{India-hist-stub}}