Kalawan Coper-Plate Inscription

Written by Alok Mohan on May 25, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized

#Kalawan #Coper-Plate #Inscription
Year 134 (77 AD)
Provenance: From the foundation of #satupa in Kalawan, 5 miles South East of Sirkap (Taxila). Rawalpindi District, Pakistan.
Script: Khroshthi
Language: North Western Prakrit
References: Sten konow Ep.ind XXI, Page 251ff, Sircar, Sel.Ins, I, Page 131-32

Kalawan means “The caves”
It is the name of a famous archaeological site in Taxila, Pakistan.
Once there was a very big Buddhist establishment here.

Kalawan has one among largest monasteries in south asia. This inscription, records the enshrinement of relics as a gift to the Sarvastivadin School, which was found in a chaitya hall.

1 From the facsimile in Ep.Ind XXI. Plate Facing page 259.
2 Sir John Marshall J.R.A.S 1914, Page-973 ff, suggested that Ajasa here and Ayasa in Taxil silver seroll refer to the era of Saka Great King Azes.
Fleet and Konow rejected this theory. Konow at first interpreted the word I e ayasya i.e of the first Sravana.
He assumed the occurrence of second
intercalary month of Sravana in the year 134 but had to give up his
theory when it was pointed out that we shall have to assume the existence of a second second intercalary month
of Ashdha in the year 136 of tha same era used in the Taxila silver scroll Inscription where, too the word Ayasa,
(rendered by him to adyasa) occurs with the figures of the Year.
There cannot occur to intercalary months within 2-3 years.
Konow then proposed to interpret the phrase as “In the year so and so” Azes style, but refused to accept that the era was founded by Azes. He performed the theory that “we must refer to the
datas of not only Tekht-i-Bahi Inscription of the year 103 but also of the Panjtar record of the year 122, the
Kalawan plate of the year 134, and the Taxila scroll of the year 136 to tha vikram era, and if we reckon with
elapsed karttikadi years, these dates would roughly correspond to AD 46, 77 and 79 respectively.

(Ep ind XXI, Page 236) D C Sircar Sel.Inss.I, Page 131 no 2, though admitting that the style e.g of the Taxila Copper Plate of Patika which reads as
संवत्सरए अव्सततिमए 78 महरयस महृतस भोयस पनेमस
मसस दिवसे पंचमे
Would prove that
Ayas also refers to a King, he does not consider it possible to connect the origin of the era with Azes on the strength of the word अजस or अयस
According to him the era used here is the old skytho Parthian one.
Starting from the foundation of an independent Kingdom in East Iran
by Vnones and its use was carried to india by his saka feudatories, and that Azes II (C. 1 to 19 AD) was being mentioned as the reigning king by some people even after his overthrow by Gondophernes. The Kushanas probably conquered the country from the Parthians on behalf of Azes II and the fiction of latter’s rule continued for some time.
In fact no satisfactory theory has been
advanced so far and the controversy regarding the era used in Saka, pehlva and kushan records rages on.

English Translation of the inscription
In the year 134 of Azes II, on the twentythird day of he month sravana, at this moment te female worshiper
Upasika, daughter of the householder dharma, wife of Bhadrapala, establishes relics of the Buddha in Chehadasila in the stupa within her house, together with her brother,, the householder Nandivardhna with her sons Sama and Sajita (or Sachitta) and her daughter Dharma, with her daughter’s in law Lajja and Indra, with Jivanandinthe, son of Sama, in acceptance of the teachers of Sarvastivada school, having venerated the country and the town for the veneration of all beings. May it be for the attainment of salvation.

Alok Mohan

The admin, Alok Mohan, is a graduate mechanical engineer & possess following post graduate specializations:- M Tech Mechanical Engineering Production Engineering Marine engineering Aeronautical Engineering Computer Sciences Software Engineering Specialization He has authored several articles/papers, which are published in various websites & books. Studium Press India Ltd has published one of his latest contributions “Standardization of Education” as a senior author in a book along with many other famous writers of international repute. Alok Mohan has held important positions in both Govt & Private organisations as a Senior professional & as an Engineer & possess close to four decades accomplished experience. As an aeronautical engineer, he ensured accident incident free flying. As leader of indian team during early 1990s, he had successfully ensured smooth induction of Chukar III PTA with Indian navy as well as conduct of operational training. As an aeronautical engineer, he was instrumental in establishing major aircraft maintenance & repair facilities. He is a QMS, EMS & HSE consultant. He provides consultancy to business organisations for implimentation of the requirements of ISO 45001 OH & S, ISO 14001 EMS & ISO 9001 QMS, AS 9100, AS9120 Aero Space Standards. He is a qualified ISO 9001 QMS, ISO 14001 EMS, ISO 45001 OH & S Lead Auditor (CQI/IRCA recognised certification courses) & HSE Consultant. He is a qualified Zed Master Trainer & Zed Assessor. He has thorough knowledge of six sigma quality concepts & has also been awarded industry 4, certificate from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Knowledge Hub Training Platform  He is a Trainer, a Counselor, an Advisor and a Competent professional of cross functional exposures. He has successfully implimented requirements of various international management system standards in several organizations. He is a dedicated technocrat with expertise in Quality Assurance & Quality Control, Facility Management, General Administration, Marketing, Security, Training, Administration etc. He is a graduate mechanical engineer with specialization in aeronautical engineering. He is always eager to be involved in imparting training, implementing new ideas and improving existing processes by utilizing his vast experience.