The Ohind (Und) Inscription
Summary
The Ohind (Und) inscription, discovered in Qhind (identified with ancient Udabhapda) in Peshawar District, 15 miles above Attock, is preserved in two transcripts published in 1854 and 1952. Prof. Sten Konow edited the inscription in his *Corpus of Kharosthi Inscriptions*, proposing a reading for Line 1 as *Sam 20. 20, 20, 1 chetrasa mahasa divase athami 4. 4. 14 kshunami sa[viJranakha* and Line 2 as *purvashade*. Konow initially read *sa{vsi]ra®* but later suggested *do* for the first *aksara* and *£4* for the third, restoring the line to *kshunami dokhatanakhaltre*. The term *purvashade* (likely *Purvasidha*) in Line 2 suggests continued dating details, possibly linked to the *nakshatra Purvasidha*. Comparisons are drawn to a similar inscription from Zeda, where *makpasra (Uttaraphalzuni)* follows year, month, and day. The inscription also mentions *Janamejaya Pariksits*, a name associated with multiple figures in ancient genealogies, including kings of the Puru lineage. The text discusses the possible Hellenistic influence, noting the transliteration of Greek constellation names like *Toksotes* (Sagittarius) into Sanskrit terms like *dokhata*. The inscription reflects the cultural and astronomical exchanges between Hindus and Greeks during the Kushan period.
AI-generated summary, automatically checked against the article text.
Conclusion
The Ohind inscription provides critical insights into the astronomical and chronological practices of the Kushan period, particularly through its unique dating system combining year, month, day, and nakshatra references. The identification of "purvashade" as an astronomical term linked to the Greek constellation Sagittarius (Toksotes) highlights cross-cultural exchanges in astrology, suggesting a sophisticated system of celestial observation and timekeeping. The inscription’s focus on Janamejaya Pariksit’s lineage further underscores the interplay between political history and astronomical record-keeping, positioning the document as a valuable resource for understanding the syncretic nature of Kushan-era scholarship. Its detailed chronology and celestial references demonstrate the advanced organizational and scientific capabilities of the period, bridging historical and astrological narratives with precision.