Which is considered the oldest inscription in India?

Emperor Ashoka's edicts (3rd century BCE) are the oldest deciphered inscriptions in India.

In which major inscriptions is King Ashoka named explicitly?

King Ashoka's personal name is explicitly mentioned in Maski, Gurjara, Nittur, and Udegolam edicts.

Eran inscription in Sagar district (510 AD) provides the earliest written evidence of Sati and Huna invasions.

Borobudur Stupa in Java, Indonesia, built by the Sailendra Dynasty, is the world's largest Buddhist stupa.

Sanchi Stupa was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989.

Inscriptions (Epigraphs) and Stupas serve as primary archaeological sources for reconstructing Ancient Indian History.

Epigraphy: The study of inscriptions carved on rocks, pillars, copper plates, and caves.
Stupas: Hemispherical structures containing relics of Lord Buddha and Buddhist monks.
Target Exams: Crucial for MPPSC Prelims & Mains Paper-1 (History) and UPSC GS-1.

Maski (Karnataka): First inscription mentioning 'Devanampriya Ashok'.
Gurjara (MP): Explicitly names King Ashoka.
Eran (MP): Bhanugupta's 510 AD inscription - earliest evidence of Sati and Huna invasion.
Rummindei (Nepal): Confirms Buddha's birthplace and tax exemptions by Ashoka.
Hathigumpha (Odisha): King Kharavela's 13-year reign in Prakrit.
Junagadh (Gujarat): Rudradaman I's first long Sanskrit inscription on Sudarshana Lake.
Prayag Prasasti (UP): Written by Harisena in Champu style praising Samudragupta.
Aihole (Karnataka): Written by Ravikirti recording Pulakeshin II's victory over Harshavardhana.
Mandsaur (MP): Mentions Silk Weavers Guild and Sun Temple construction.
Nasik (Maharashtra): Satavahana King Gautamiputra Satakarni's achievements.

Sanchi Stupa (Raisen, MP): Built by Emperor Ashoka, discovered by General Taylor in 1818, UNESCO Heritage site in 1989.
Bharhut Stupa (Satna, MP): Famous Shunga-era stupa discovered by Alexander Cunningham in 1873.
Dhamek Stupa (Sarnath, UP): Commemorates Buddha's First Sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana).
Kesariya Stupa (Bihar): India's largest stupa (~104 feet height).
Borobudur Stupa (Indonesia): World's largest Buddhist stupa built by Sailendra Dynasty.

Gurjara (Datia), Rupnath (Jabalpur), Panguradia (Sehore), Sanchi (Raisen), Eran (Sagar), Mandsaur (Dashpur), and Besnagar Garuda Pillar (Vidisha).

Maski → Ashoka name | Rummindei → Buddha birth | Prayag Prasasti → Samudragupta | Junagadh → Rudradaman | Aihole → Pulakeshin II | Eran → Sati evidence | Sanchi → Ashoka Stupa.

1Prayag Prasasti (Allahabad Pillar inscription) describes the conquests of which Gupta emperor?

2Which rock edict contains the first explicit mention of King Ashoka's name 'Devanampriya Ashok'?

3Where in Madhya Pradesh is the earliest inscriptional evidence of Sati (510 AD) found?

4Which is considered the first long inscription written in pure Sanskrit language?

5Which British officer discovered the famous Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh in 1818?

6Which inscription records Chalukya King Pulakeshin II's victory over Emperor Harshavardhana?

7Which is the largest Buddhist Stupa in India?

8Where is the famous Heliodorus Garuda Pillar located in Madhya Pradesh?

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