A Newly Discovered Inscription of Samanta Singh of Mewar
Summary
Reporting a new epigraphic find, the article describes an inscription discovered by Ram Chandra Rai in Gogunda tehsil of Udaipur District (Mewar). The inscription, carved on a black stone slab measuring roughly 0.4 x 0.1 inches, is dated V.S. 1224 (1228) and was found in the temple of Ghanta Devi near Udaipur. It records that Rathoda Mahughana, son of Vihada, built the temple of Ghanta Mata in Rohini Nakshatra, with Kheda, Kanghali and other names mentioned as the genealogical members of the Sutradhara family who served as craftsmen. The article transliterates and translates the inscription, noting that the lettering is rectangular and uses distinctive matras for vowels. By correlating names and dates, Rai argues that the inscription pushes back the dates of Mahughana’s reign by four years compared with other inscriptions and clarifies his position in the lineage of the Guhila rulers. The brief note also highlights the importance of epigraphic evidence for reconstructing local history and temple patronage in medieval Rajasthan.
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Conclusion
The newly found inscription from the Ghanta Mata temple is a valuable addition to the corpus of Mewar epigraphy. By identifying the builder and refining the chronology of Rathoda Mahughana’s rule, it enhances our understanding of regional political history and illustrates how even small stone slabs can yield significant historical insights.