A Buddhist Inscription from Bodh‑Gaya of the Reign of Jayacandradeva
Summary
The article presents and analyses a newly discovered stone inscription from Bodh‑Gaya, dating to the reign of Jayacandradeva, a king of the Gāhaḍavāla dynasty in the late eleventh or early twelfth century. The author first reproduces the text of the inscription in its original Nāgarī script and offers a transliteration and translation. The record commemorates a pious donation made by an individual associated with a monastic complex at Bodh‑Gaya. It mentions the reigning monarch Jayacandradeva and his genealogy, thereby providing evidence for the chronology of the Gāhaḍavāla kings. The article discusses palaeographic features, noting that the script resembles other inscriptions from the same dynasty, which helps date the record. It also analyses metrical patterns and Sanskrit vocabulary, indicating that the inscription was composed by a learned poet and was intended to confer religious merit both to the donor and to the king. The author situates this inscription in the broader context of Bodh‑Gaya’s history as a major pilgrimage centre and explores how control of the site shifted among Hindu and Buddhist patrons. The presence of a Buddhist dedication in a period often characterised as dominated by Hindu dynasties challenges the notion that Buddhism had disappeared from the Ganges valley by the twelfth century. The article further compares the content with other Gāhaḍavāla records, arguing that Jayacandradeva supported multiple religious traditions and that Bodh‑Gaya remained a contested sacred landscape. Finally, the author highlights the importance of such inscriptions for reconstructing local history, illustrating connections between royal authority and monastic communities.
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Conclusion
This inscription from Bodh‑Gaya sheds light on the persistence of Buddhism in north India and clarifies the chronology of the Gāhaḍavāla dynasty. Through a detailed palaeographic and philological examination, the article demonstrates how even a brief dedicatory record can illuminate broader religious and political dynamics. It underscores the need to integrate epigraphic evidence into historical narratives and reminds us that sacred sites like Bodh‑Gaya were maintained through the patronage of both royal and lay donors.