A New Pillar Inscription from Mandasor

This article presents a newly discovered pillar inscription from Mandasor, which was brought to scholarly attention by Maharaja Kumar Daji Raghuvira Simha. The inscription was found in a field by a cultivator and was subsequently reported and an estampage provided by Dr. Bahadur Chand Chhabra, Director General of Archaeology in India. The text is inscribed on a square pillar featuring a wheel representing the discus of Vishnu at the top of each facet. The record consists of ten Sanskrit verses and eight Anustubh stanzas, surviving in eleven broken lines. The paleography indicates a southern variety of the Gupta alphabet from the 5th century. The inscription records the digging of a water reservoir (jalashaya) near the town of Dasapura, which was the old name of Mandasor. It states that the work was done for the benefit of all beings, possibly by King Yasogupta. The text notes that Yasogupta had previously earned merit by digging wells, tanks, and erecting pavilions (marapadhadhe) in towns and villages. He is described as the dutiful son of Rastravarddhana and was favored by the illustrious Maharaja Gauri. The article discusses the orthography and punctuation of the text, noting irregularities and the use of Prakrit-like forms. The author raises the question of identifying the two kings whose names end in '-varddhana', suggesting they might be remote ancestors of Maharaja Harsa-varddhana. The article concludes that further literary or archaeological evidence is needed to identify these Varddhanas and place them in history. The text of the inscription is provided, mentioning figures such as Narendradityavarddhana and Yasogupta, and describing the pious actions of Yasogupta's mother, Harisiddhi.

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