U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016

Epigraphical Continuity

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

In which of the following inscriptions, Ashoka's edicts are also found?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Certain rock faces were considered highly significant and were used by multiple rulers across different dynasties to record their achievements.

Explanation The Junagarh (Girnar) rock inscription is a palimpsest of history; it contains 14 edicts of Ashoka, the famous Sanskrit inscription of the Shaka King Rudradaman I (150 CE), and a later inscription by the Gupta king Skandagupta. They all record their repairs or associations with the Sudarshana Lake.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The Junagarh rock is the only one among the options to host multiple imperial inscriptions (Ashoka + Rudradaman + Skandagupta).
Logic 2: Hathigumpha belongs to Kharavela and Nashik to the Satavahanas, neither of which contains Ashokan edicts.

Active Recall

Question

What is the historical significance of Rudradaman's part of the Junagarh inscription?

Answer

It is one of the earliest long inscriptions in classical Chaste Sanskrit.

Core Insight

The Junagarh rock serves as an archaeological record of water management (Sudarshana Lake) across three major dynasties over 800 years.