Indian Epigraphy

Indian Epigraphy by D.C. Sircar, one of India’s foremost historians and epigraphists, is a standard reference work in the field of inscriptions and ancient Indian history. First published in 1965 and reprinted several times, the book provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of Indian inscriptions, their scripts, languages, and historical significance.

The work is highly valued by students, researchers, and historians of ancient India, as it systematically covers the origin, development, and interpretation of inscriptions from early times up to the medieval period.

📚 Contents & Coverage

• Nature of Epigraphy – Scope, importance, and development in India

• Materials & Methods – Writing materials (stone, copper plates, coins, palm leaves, etc.) and engraving techniques

• Scripts in Indian Epigraphy – Brahmi, Kharosthi, Nagari, Tamil, Grantha, and others

• Languages of Inscriptions – Prakrit, Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, etc.

• Classification of Inscriptions – Royal charters, land grants, donative records, religious inscriptions, eulogies

• Historical Significance – Reconstruction of political history, social life, economy, religion, and culture from epigraphical sources

• Important Discoveries – Key inscriptions such as Ashokan edicts, Gupta records, Chola and Pallava inscriptions