Nashik cave inscription
Topic: Post-Mauryan India: Shungas to Kushanas · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 5 "State and Society up to 1000 CE"
Meaning
The Nashik cave inscriptions are carved in the Buddhist rock-cut caves at Nashik in Maharashtra. These caves are also called Pandavleni. They date from c. 1st–2nd century CE and record gifts to Buddhist monks by Satavahana and Shaka families. They tell us about kings, queens and guilds (shrenis), the groups of craftsmen and merchants who organised trade and production.
Example
Ushavadata was the son-in-law of the Shaka ruler Nahapana. He recorded that he deposited money with weavers' guilds at Nashik. The guilds paid a fixed interest, and this income supported the monks. So guilds worked like banks. Another Nashik inscription was carved for Gautami Balashri, mother of Gautamiputra Satakarni. It praises her son's victories, and she also donated land to monks.
Don't confuse with
- Naneghat inscription: this one is near Pune. It records a Satavahana widow queen's Vedic rituals, including the ashvamedha, and her gifts. It is also known for early numerals.
- Hathigumpha inscription: this is Kharavela's record from Udayagiri near Bhubaneswar.