Insc. no160 Nasik Cave Inscription

Written by Alok Mohan on July 17, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized

Inscription number 160
Nasik Cave Inscription of Gautamiputra Satakarni
Regnal Year: 24 ( = c. 130 A D.)
Provenance: Nasik, Nasik District,. Maharashtra.
On the east wall of the veranda in Cave Number. 3. under the ceiling, separated in the continuous line
by a swastika symbol (from the earlier
inscription of the regnal year 18.
Script: Brahmi
Language: Prakrít.
Refrences: Buhler. Archeological survey of western India. IV pp.105 ff.
B.L Indra ji, Mumbai Gazette, XVI, pp-560 ff, Senart Ep.Ind.,VIII, pp-73. Number-5,. Luders List, number 1126, (for other references)
Sircar Sel.Inss , pp-200-1.
Footnote 1
1. From the facsimile in Ep.Ind.. VIII,. Pl.II.
The record is in an advanced stage of decay and hardly legible.
This is also copied from a charter on plates. The later part is carelessly engraved.
2. Some read समक
Footnote 2
1. Some read समव
The word जीवसुता suggests
that the king was ill and dying and the queen and the queen-mother, who were in actual control had to assure the people that he was alive and well to safegaard against transitional disorders. But the king evidently did not survive.
2. Apparently this village stood on the eastem borders of western Kakhadi, mentioned in the earlier Inscriptions,
of the year 18. Apara-Kakhadi may as well, have been
the western section of Kakhadi.
3. The letter is indistinct. Some read व

Footnote 3
1. Drafting of an official document by a woman is interesting, though it was natural for the queen-mother
to utilise the services of the nearest attendant. Even the humble Palace Guard, that too a woman, was educated
speaks highly of the standard of literacy.
2. Read दता पटिका सव छरे
3. Some read पुज़ितिना
4. Inadvertantly repeated by the engraver.
Footnote 4
1. She may have been the superintendent of the Palace guards
2. Note that the registration took place in the first summer month, while the engraving on cave wall, took
place, nearly five months after that.
English Translation of the inscription

Success the king’s order to be handed over to syamaka, the officer at Govardhana. At the bidding of king Gautamiputra Satakarni and the chief queen (and) queen mother, whose son is living Syamaka, the officer at
Govardhana, shall be wished good health. and then shall be
told. We had earlier donated a field in the village Kakhati to recluse mendicants, living in tne cave-dwelling, a pious gift of ours, here on mount Trirasmi. (But this field is not tilled. nor is the village inhabited. Matters being
such, the royal field which is now our own property, on the boundary of the town of this field we grant to the recluse mendicants of Trirasami, one hundred 100-nivartanas of land and to that field we grant immunities forbidding
entry and interference (by royal officers) digging for salt (by the state) and enforcement of penal laws. (in short) it shall enjoy all kinds of immunities. Invest it, with these
immunities, and get the immunities of the field for it, registered here.
Verbally ordered, and the document written down by Lota, the door-keeper. Done (1.e. engraved) by
Sujivi on the 5th day of the 4th fortnight of the rainy season of the year 24. The deed was registered on the 10th day of
the 2nd fortnight of summer in the year 24.

Alok Mohan

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