1

2 1. Brahmi
a. This script was used to write prakrit in ashokan inscripts
b. Most ashokan inscriptions are in this script

2. Kharosthi
a. Used to write greek and Aramaic in asokan inscriptions in Afghanistan and north west

3. Prakrit-
a. The earliest inscriptions are in this language
b. Most Ashokan inscriptions were also written in this language
c. Fig 2.6- sculpture in Mathura- prakrit inscription on pedestal mentioning nagapiya, wife of goldsmith (sovanika)
named dharmaka
d. Successful merchants were called setthis and satthavahas
e. Janapada is a sanskit and prakrit word

4. Prakrit, Pali, Tamil and Sanskrit were used to write inscriptions and texts during this time

5. Sanskrit-
a. Prayag prashati by harishena, court poet of samedragupta- he is without an antagonists on earth, purusha,
compared to gods
b. Manusmriti- legal texts- 2nd bce-2nd ce- had insctructions for the king to maintain clear boundaries of land even
through hidden markers at intersections
c. Sudarshan lake inscription- built by maurayas, broke in storm, fixed by shaka ruler rudragaman without imposing
tax on his subjects in 2th cent ce- inscription on same rock says gupta rulers got it fixed again in 5th cent ce.
d. Land grants from the early centuries of the common era are in Sanskrit mostly but from the 7th century onwards,
they are part in Sanskrit and part in tamil or telugu
e. Harshacharita- biography of harshvardhana, ruler of kanauj, written by court poet Banabhattain the 7 th cent ce.-
settlement on the outskirts of the forst of vindhayas- spade culture as as its difficult to plough firls as they are
sparsely scattered and the black soil is stiff- people bringing things down to sell.
f. Sanskrit legal texts say that women were not supposed to have independent access to land.
g. Prabhavati gupta donating danguna must also be in snskrit- chanalaswami-chakdrasa
h. Janapada is a Sanskrit and prakrit word

6. Tamil-
a. Silappadikaram excerpt - the pandaya chief Senguttuvan visits the forest- people came from the mountains with
offerings like defeated people come
b. Sangam texts mention vellalar (large landowners), uzhavar (ploughmen) and adimai (slaves)
c. Inscriptions of Land grants from the early centuries of the common era are in Sanskrit mostly but from the 7th
century onwards, they are part in Sanskrit and part in tamil or telugu
d. Successful merchants were called masattuvan

7. Pali-
a. Gandatindu Jakatas were written in this language- wicked king, everyone hated him, ran to the forest
b. Buddhist stories- small peasants and large landowners as gahapati- exercised control over land, slaves, children,
women in the residence, head of the household- also status marker for urban elite/wealthy merchants-
Samantas Gupta empire- men who maintained themselves through local
 respurecs
Gahapati Pali, small peasants and large landowners, wealthy merchants
Agrahara Land granted to brahmana that wasn’t taxed and he could collect
taxes
gramakutumbinas Householders or peasants living in the village
Mahasammata The great elect- sutta pitaka- notion of kingship
Samanas Sutta pitaka- sigala- samanas are those who have renounced the
world

Silappadikaram Tamil Pandaya chief senguttuvan visits forests

Prayag prashasti Sanskrit Harishena In praise of samudragupta
Manusmriti Sanskrit Importance of boundaries
Gandatindu jataka Pali Plight of the subjects of evil king
Harchacharita Sanskrit Banabhatta Biography of harshavardhana of kanauj
Inscription at danguna Sanskrit Chakradasa Prabhavati devi giving agrahara to
chanalasvamin
Image of nagapiya Prakrit Wife of goldsmith sovanika dharmaka in
Mathura

3 Ashtadhyayi Grammar Panini Sanskrit

Charak/ sushruta samhita Medicine Sanskrit
Natyashastra Dramaturgy Bharata Sanskrit
Plays Kalidasa Sanskrit
Astronomy and maths Aryabharata/ Sanskrit
varahamihira
Jaina works Prakrit
Jatakas Pali
4
Upanishad Meaning of life, rebirth
Chandogya upanishad Sanskrit Nature of self, true sacrifice
Brihadaranyaka upanishad Sanksrit Teacher students metronymics
Ajatsattu, Buddha- makkali gosali (ajivika) and
ajita kesakambalin (lokayat)

Therigatha- punna
Sutta pitaka Pali
Sigala- 5 ways to take care of servants and
samanas

Mahaparinibbana sutta

Vinaya pitaka Blanket/ bowls of food rules

 Uttaradhyayana sutta
Ashokavadana
Vessantra jataka
Prakrit Queen kamlavati- renounce everything
Buddhist text- ashoka sent relics and ordered
stupas over them
Pali Prince who gave away to brahmana- sculpture
at sanchi

5
6 Nalayira divyaprabandham 12 alvars Tamil Vishu
Tevaram Appar, sundarar, Tamil Shiva
sambandar
Bhagvat purana Sanskit Vishnu
Abul hasan al hujwiri Kashf ul mahjub Persian Meaning of tasawwuf
Data ganj baksh Unveiling of the veiled
Jahanara Munis al arwah Biography of
Confidant of spirits muinuddin
Quli khan from deccan Murraqa I dehli Nasiruddin chirag I
Album of Delhi dehli
Abul hasan sijzi Fawad if ul fuad Nizamuddin and his
story about fariddudin
Naqshbandi Maktubat imam rabbani
Mir khwurd kirmani Siyar ul auliya First tazkira
Abdul haqq muhaddis Akhbar ul akhyar Most famous tazkira
dehlavi
7 1. Sanskrit

2. Telugu-
a. Amuktamalyada by Krishnadev raya
b. Spoken by nayakas as well as kannada

3. Kannada
a. Spoken by nayakas as well as telugu
b. Royal order were written kanada

4. Tamil

Bengali Chandimangala Mukundaram chakrabarti Kalaketu clears forest to set

up kingdom