Selective Written Sources (Primary):

Mahasthan Brahmi Inscription, Copperplate

Inscriptions

Course Teacher: Samila Nowshin

Department of History and Philosophy
North South University
Inscriptions are writings, engraved on solid surfaces like rocks, stones,
temple walls and metals. The king’s royal decrees, dedications and
donations, monuments raised in commemoration of victories in wars, those
built in memory of deceased warriors, Copper-plate grants, are some
examples of inscriptions. For example, several copper-plate grants were
issued during the Pala rulers in the Bengal region. They recorded gifts to
individual priests who were Hindu, Buddhist or Jaina, or to persons of
eminence. It had the names of both the giver and the receiver. Inscriptions
help us to understand the social, political and economic conditions that
prevailed during that time.
 Mahasthan Brahmi Inscription
• For reconstructing the history of ancient Bengal, the Mahasthan
Brahmi inscription is the oldest and most important among the
inscriptional sources available. This inscription of the Mauryan era
provides several important information about North Bengal at that
time.
• Despite its small size and fragmented state, the inscription holds
significant value for scholars. It provides partial information about the
economic, geographical, political, and administrative aspects of the
region, as well as insights into the people who lived there. This
reliable source is essential to understanding the history of ancient
Bengal and the conditions of Mauryan Bengal.
• It is a small record of seven lines, incised on a circular stone,
parts of which are broken. This inscription in Brahmi
characters, was discovered in 1910 at Mahasthan in Bogra
district of Bangladesh. The inscription is palaeographically
datable to the Maurya age (c 3rd century BCE). The language
of the inscription is Prakrit.
• Different interpretations of the inscription have been given by
scholars. It has not been possible to decipher the text in its
entirety as some parts of the inscription are broken. But from
what is possible it can be referred to as an important and
reliable repository of information in ancient times.
It records an order, issued by some ruler to the ‘Mahamatra’
stationed at 'Pudanagala' (Pundranagara> Mahasthana in
Bangladesh) with a view to relieve the distress caused by some
agency to the people called Samgvangiyas, who were settled in and
about the town. The inscription speaks of four requisites viz tela
(oil), duma (tree), dhanya (paddy) and two varieties of small coins
called gandaka (ganda- a unit of calculation consisting of four
kapardakas or cowries = one ganda) and Kakanyika (Kakamika-
kapardaka or cowry). The storehouse or golaghar (Kothagala>
Kosthagara) had to be filled up with these requisites as provisions
against any emergency caused by water, fire and also the
devastation of crops by parrots. The inscription also mentioned that
the common people would return the debt to the storehouse when
good times return.
 The significance of history
• The inscription is basically a scribe document in which the central ruler issued an order
to the provincial ruler. It provides a glimpse into the political and administrative
structures of that time. At that time central and provincial systems of government were
in place and the provincial rulers were called ' Mahamatra'.
• This inscription mentions a place named ' Pudanagala', which is thought to be the same
as 'Pundranagara', the former name of Mahasthan located in the northern region of
Bangladesh. The inscription discovered from this place suggests that the inscription was
engraved at a time when the concept of city/Urban Center was introduced in Bengal.
• All the characteristics that the city needed to have were in this area. As a result, it can
be seen that urban civilization had developed there. And from the urban civilization, it
can be assumed that the economic conditions were better then. Because the
development of urban civilization is directly related to the improvement of economic
conditions.
• The Mastan Brahminical inscription provides further insights into the
economic conditions of that era. This inscription highlights two types of
coins - Gandaka and Kakanyika. While it is unclear whether these coins
were made of metal or some other material, it is possible that the
miniature Gandaka coin was a unit of calculation known as a " ganda."
four kapardakas or cowries equaled one ganda. Similarly, Kakanyika was
a unit of calculation equivalent to 20 kapardakas or cowries. Overall, the
mention of these currencies suggests that a monetary system was in place
during that time.
• The inscription includes references to dhanya (paddy) , duma (tree), and
tela (oil), with a focus on aiding the general population with these
resources. Paddy is specifically mentioned as the type of grain, while "tel"
refers to oil and "doom" to trees, indicating that rice and oil were prevalent
commodities during this period.
• This inscription mentions the general storage of grain or goods at a
specific place. It is called 'Kothagala' which means that it is the use of
'Kosthagara' or golaghar which was common then.
• This inscription expresses a desire to aid the common people during
times of distress and provides insight into the natural disasters that
occurred during that period. These calamities included floods, crop
damage caused by parrots, and other events. Additionally, examples of
philanthropic efforts are evident during times of crisis.
• Based on the inscription, it seems that a loan system was common
during that time as it mentions providing help in times of need through
loans that must be repaid when circumstances improve. This reflects
the importance placed on maintaining one's self-esteem during
difficult times.
• This inscription shows a kind of responsibility on the part of the
central ruler. Because these orders have been issued from the centre to
the ruler of the province. The attention given by the central ruler to the
various problems of the provinces can be said to be proof of good
governance.
• One of the main evidences is the spread of the Brahmi script and the
beginning of writing in the region. This script is proof of the eastward
expansion of Brahmanism. Evidence of Aryan language and
Brahminical culture entering the Bengal region.
• The prevalence of rice cultivation suggests an agrarian society with a
significant population of farmers.