Footnote
The Karla caves were constructed during the reign of the Satavahanas and were constructed by Bhootpala, a merchant of Banavasi.
The caves were historically associated with the Mahasaṃghika sect of Buddhism. The caves house a Buddhist monastery dating back to the 2nd century BC.
Karla Cave is the largest Hinayana Buddhist temple in India. Karla caves is one of the most famous rock-cut cave sites in India having 15 caves within.
The inscription appears to have emanated from either Gautamiputra Satakarni or Vasishthiputra Pulmavi. Senart is inclined towards assigning it to the later and states (Ep.ind., VII, pp-70). one cannot help remarking the
similarity of the names of several officers, who are
employed here and at Nasik by Vasishthiputra Pulumavi and
Gautamipatra Satakarni in Nasik Number 3, Sivaskanda is the
Governor of the district: in Nasik Number. 4. The Amatya Sivagupta writes the grant and here Sivaskanda gupta engraves the document on copper. Again he says (ib. p. 60).
“The renewal of the donation” (of the village, Karajaka or
Karajika) “was brought by the new state of affairs created by the victories of Gautamiputra Satakarni and by the
destruction, of which he boasts, of that dynasty of the
Kshaharapas with which our Rishabhadatta was directly
connected by his father-in-law Nahapana”.
the similarity in phraseology in the Karle grant of Nahapana (see supra Number – 132) and the present one was intentional.
Footnote 2
1. From the facsimile in Ep.Ind. VII, Pl.Il, Number. 19 facing pp.64. The inscription is in a poor state of
Preservation. Most of the matras and some words have been read only canjecturally.
2. Senart: पर. यत. मसु.
Valuraka evidently designates Karle
3. Senart: महोसघ यान य् .पन् य
4 Senart: हलेल
5. These gaps are caused by beams, though the inscription is continuous.
6. Senart (Ep.Ind,. VII, pp. 71 n.1) accepts the correction,
Suggested by Hultzech ओयपापेहि
in place of देय पापेहि
7. Senart: न
8. Senart: परिहर
Footnote 3
1.Buhler: विजययसातारे
2. Senart: ठे ( षटिका ) संव 2(4) The figures are doubtful.
3. Identified with the existing village called Mawal or Maul along the Ghats.
4. Senart restores परिगत – धर्मेषु wholly devoted to religion.
5. Cultivated land donated for the upkeep of bhikshus. भीक्षुहल
is the Biddhi st equivalent of deva-bhoga-hala
or devadaya in Brahmanical terminology.
6. अविय = उकत See Hemachandra, Desinamamala I, 10.
7. Engraved. Possibly refers to the engraving of the orginal record on copper plates.
Footnote 4
1. Readings of either digit is doubtful. The second appears more like 20.The first is similar, but much smaller in size. The year the therefore, may be 20 + 20
rather than 14.
In the latter case. it would be
interesting to note the place value assigned to 1. Perhaps the earliest epigraphical evidence of such use.
English Translation of the inscription
(King commands Parasara the Minister
(Incharge) at Mamada. For the maintenance of the renunciate
friars of the Mahasamghika sect, dwelling here in the caves
at Valuraka,We donate monks, land in the village Karajaka here, in Mamala district, on the northern road.
So you arrange to
give possession of the gifted monks-land (to tha ikaya) in
this village Karajaka.
And of this here village Karajaka, we
grant the immunities customary with monks lands, (namely).
not to be entered (by royai officials)– —– – —
and to enjoy all kinds immunities And with all these immunities, we invest this (monks’ land) in this village
Karajaka. And herein you register this immunisation, customary
for Bhikshu lands.
Verbally ordered, written——-
given at the victorious camp. Granted.
on the day of the rainy fortnight 4th, of the year 14. Done by Sivaskandagupta.
(There were three classes of feudatories within Satavahana’s kingdom. Highest grade was known as Raja, who had sovereign right to issue coins. Second grade was mahabhoja and the third grade was known as the senapati. (Skandagupta or Skandhavaras) Most of the inscriptions of his reign are engraved in Prakrit languge, A language, which is a derivative of Sanskrit and brahmi. This shows that Prakrít must be official language of his kingdom.
There was existence of four classes of society.
• The first class consisted of the people who administered and controlled the districts
• The second class consisted of the officials
• The third class were the cultivators and Vaidhyas
• The fourth class were common citizens
The head of the family was the Grihapati.
Satavahana Empire was divided into five provinces. The western territory of Nasik was
ruled by the Abhiras. The Ikshvakus ruled over the eastern part in the Krishna -Guntur region.
The Chaitanyas dominated the southwestern parts and extended their territory to the north and east.
The pahlavas controlled the south eastern part. Officials were known as Amatyas and
Mahamatras. The senapati was appointed as the provincial governor. Gaulmika was in the
charge of a military regiment.
Both Buddhism and Brahmanism prevailed during the Satavahana rule.
During Satavahana phase, Chaityas and monasteries were cut out of the solid rock with
great precision. Chaityas were Buddhist temples and monasteries were known as Viharas. The
most famous Chaitya is located in Karle in the western Deccan.