With reference to the Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman, consider the following statements: 1. The script of this inscription is Kharosthi and the language is Prakrit. 2. The inscription records the restoration of a reservoir called Sudarshana Lake. 3. It is an undated inscription. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, 2 only. The Junagadh rock inscription of the Shaka ruler Rudradaman I records how he restored the Sudarshana lake after a storm burst its dam.
The inscription is carved on the same rock at Girnar, in Gujarat, that bears the edicts of Ashoka. It is written in the Brahmi script and in Sanskrit, and it is famous as the first long inscription in fairly pure Sanskrit. It tells that the lake was first built by Pushyagupta, governor of Chandragupta Maurya, and given conduits under Ashoka by the Yavana Tushaspha. Rudradaman had it repaired through his minister Suvishakha without forced labour or extra taxes.
A and C are wrong because statement 1 is false: the script is Brahmi, not Kharosthi, and the language is Sanskrit, not Prakrit. D is wrong because statement 3 is also false: the inscription is dated to the year 72 of the Shaka era, about 150 CE.
Exam tip: Junagadh inscription, Rudradaman I, 150 CE, Brahmi script, first long Sanskrit inscription, Sudarshana lake.
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