Question

Arrange the following inscriptions in chronological order. \[ \begin{aligned} A.& \ \text{Prayag Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta} B.& \ \text{Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharavela} C.& \ \text{Mehrauli Inscription of Chandra} D.& \ \text{Sarnath Inscription of Kanishka I} \end{aligned} \] Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. C, D, B and A
• B. D, B, C and A
• C. C, B, D and A
• D. B, D, A and C

Hint:

Remember: \[ \text{Hathigumpha} \rightarrow \text{Kanishka} \rightarrow \text{Samudragupta} \rightarrow \text{Chandra} \] The Prayag Prashasti was written by Harisena.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: Inscriptions are among the most reliable historical sources for ancient India. They provide direct information regarding:
• rulers,
• military conquests,
• religious policies,
• administration,
• and chronology. Chronological arrangement requires identifying the approximate dates of the inscriptions.

Step 1: Identifying the earliest inscription. \[ \text{Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharavela} \] This inscription belongs to Kharavela of Kalinga and dates approximately to the: \[ 1^{st}\text{ century BCE} \] Thus: \[ B = \text{First position} \]

Step 2: Finding the next inscription chronologically. \[ \text{Sarnath Inscription of Kanishka I} \] Kanishka I belonged to the Kushana dynasty and ruled during the: \[ 2^{nd}\text{ century CE} \] Thus: \[ D = \text{Second position} \]

Step 3: Identifying the next inscription. \[ \text{Prayag Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta} \] This inscription was composed by Harisena during the Gupta age in the: \[ 4^{th}\text{ century CE} \] Thus: \[ A = \text{Third position} \]

Step 4: Determining the latest inscription. \[ \text{Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription of Chandra} \] This inscription is generally associated with Chandragupta II and belongs to the later Gupta period. Thus: \[ C = \text{Fourth position} \]

Step 5: Writing the complete chronological order. Therefore: \[ \boxed{B \rightarrow D \rightarrow A \rightarrow C} \] Hence, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{(4)\ B, D, A \text{ and } C} \]

Step 6: Importance of inscriptions in history. Inscriptions provide:
• authentic royal records,
• information about conquests,
• genealogies,
• and socio-economic conditions. Historians use inscriptions as primary historical evidence.