Ancient Indian Writing Materials, General Outline of Indian Epigraphy

Writing Materials:-

Before we discuss about the writing materials we must know about the general introduction of Indian Epigraphy. 

Defined as simply the study of inscriptions is called Epigraphy. The word Epigraphy for the study of inscriptions is derived from the 2 greek words-  "Epi" Means On Or Upon & "Graphy" means to write (engraving) something.  Sir James Princep known as the Father of Indian Epigraphy. Because he was the first person as an English antiquarian who deciphered the so called ancient Brahmi script in India. 

               Sir James Princep (1799-1840) 

There are various types of materials used for the engraving the stones from ancient times. But if we analyse on the basis of materials there are two dimensional ways . ... 

 • >Materials for Engraving/Embossing

 •> Materials for Writing/Scratching

1) Scratching materials _

* Bhurjapatra 

The Brich tree which grown in Himalayans were used as materials for writing in ancient times. In kumarasamvabam of Kalidasa there is a mention of Bhurjapatra as a writing material. 

             (Bark of the Bhurjapatra tree) 

* Talapatra

Mostly there are numerous Buddhist Jatakas which gives breif account on use of talapatras as writing materia specially Jataks are most enligteened one. These Palmyra leaves (Talapatra) popular in South India. 

* Wood

These are the first materials used for the beginners to learn alphabets in ancient times.

There are many references in kharosthi inscriptions written in wooden objects in Central Asia. 

* Paper

Perhaps the most easier way of writing since the modern era as an object.  It is believed that the Chineses first use paper as writing material and later it became spread to India. 

2) Materials for Engraving :-

*Stone

Stone was used in earlier times for engraving writing and also helpful for long durance. Inscriptions were often engraved on rocks,

stone pillars or slabs, stone images or their pedestals and stone articles such as jar or their covers etc. The earliest stone engravings belong to the days of the Mouryan emperor Ashoka(C 272 - 232 B. C). 

*Earthen Objects

There are numbers of Buddhist Sutras which are found on bricks for the purpose of its hardness they tried their best engraving on it. Clay seals and sealing, both burnt and  unburnt, have been discovered in various sites of north India. 

                 Engraving on hard bricks

*Copper & Silver 

copper is largely used for writing in ancient and medieval India. Official charters especially grants made by kings and subordinate rulers were generally engraved on copper-plates. For example - an early inscription from Sohgoura, in Gorkhpur district of Uttar Pradesh. 

Similarly, a few inscriptions were found to have written on golden and silver objects. A golden plate having a votive inscription in Kharoshthi script has been discovered in the ruins of Takshilla. 

                     Copper Plate Charters 

So at glance if we analyses and understand the ancient writing systems and the materials which they used it is still endurance in manner. There are various valuable inscriptions which we lost but inspite of that the epigrphical sources acts as the backbone of ancient Indian history and culture which not only narrates the political and socio-economic and religious aspects but also created a landmark in the historical annals of Indian Epigragy. 

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Best Books for Archaeology students

Archaeology : Best Books 

As we know that Archaeology defined as the scientific study of ancient & recent human past through scientific research analysis and material remains. A popular branch of History which developed in India and created enthusiasm among students particularly belong to Ancient Indian culture & Archaeology. 

Hey friends!  Here are the some important books list for archaeology students which are most common and some useful books Pg students(Archaeology) and for preparation of UGC NET in Archaeology and future use.  Let's discuss 👉

1) Paul Bahn - Archaeology a very short introduction 

2) Jim Grant, Neil Fleming - The Archaeology Course book 

3) K.V Raman - Principle and Methods of Archaeology

4) Philip Barker - Techniques of Archaeological Excavation

5) Ian Holder - Theory & Practices in Archaeology

6) A.Ghosh - Encyclopedia of Indian Archaeology

7) K.Rajan - Archaeology, Principles & Methods

8) K.V Raman - Principles & Methods of Archaeology

9) Kevin Greene - Archaeology an Introduction

10) R.E.M Wheeler - Archaeology from the Earth

11) Bruce G Trigger - A History of Archaeological Thought 

12) E.C Haris - Principle of Archaeological Stratigraphy

13) Clive Gamble - Archaeology the Basics

14) DP Agrawal & A.Ghosh - Radio Carbon Dating & Indian Archaeology

15) M.W Alice Jhonshon - The Oxford Handbook of Ceramic Production Analysis, Pottery & Archaeology. 

Phases Of Indian Coinage & Developments

Numismatics is a branch of history which deals with the study of coins. The introduction of coinage across the world in ancient period was born out of an intitial stage of transition from use of bovine cattle and other commodities. 

The development of Indian coinage is an important stage of economic development of society. This is believed that Barter system was prevailed in India and it was started at the very early stages vedic society. Some literally references and religious texts also proves the existence of barter system in India. 

We found in Indus valley Civilization, there was scientific weight system & it was well developed that people have used metal pieces of certain weight as in trade activities. 

Gradually with due course of time coins acts as a medium of exchange in society. 

Phases :- 

The introduction of coinage across the world in ancient period was born out of initial stage of transition & with accurate metalic units and greater reability, precession in terms of ecxhange between two or more individuals. The coins of ancient India developed under different dynasties with respect to their powerful rulers so far as it's phases of evolution is In ancient Indian history is concerned. 

                         1) Vedic Period 

          

          The world's oldest currency coins were issued in ancient India during the vedic period and were called Nishka and Mana. Nishka coins were small gold units of definite weight. 

                     2) Pre-Buddhist Period 

The another phase of stamping coins is however recorded in pre Buddhist period. With the emergence of new states Janapadas (16 Mahajanapadas) which are mentioned in various religious texts and Epics like Ramayan and Mahabharata. 

                       3) Mauryan Phase

The next phase of coinage in India was the merge with the rising empire of Magadha under the great ruler Ashoka which it's achieved reached its zenith.  The punch marked coins (PMC) of mauryans and Gold coins are remarkable in progress. The Punch marked coins of maurya period are mentioned in Kauthilyas Arthasastra. 

                      4) Indo-Greek Phase

The Indo-Greek coins acts as the another important development of coinage in ancient India. The coins issued by Greek rulers who ruled South Hindukush region & rulers like - Demetrius, Didotous, Ethydemus, Demetrius etc. issued their coins which played important role in study numismatics for analysing ancient Indian coins. 

                       5) Age Of Kushanas

The next phase of indian coins begins with the rise of Kushanas in ancient India. The credit of issued these type of gold coins goes to Kushana rulers who initially came to India as a nomadic tribe. The bilingual coins of Kanishka revolutionized a great change in coinage traditions in India. Under the Kushanas the numismatics art reached its glorious epoch. 

                5) Under Imperial Guptas 

The coinage of ancient India created a golden chapter in the history of numismatics studies regarding the origin of coinage in India upto highest pinacle of distinction during the Golden Era of Guptas. Their coins mainly made up of Golds, silvers, Coopers & Lead. Specially coins issued by Guptas like Chandragupta 2 & Samudragupta are remarkable in progress. The coins of Kumaragupta also speaks the good deals of past and their economic prosperity of that time. 

So , these are the phases and thus the coinage of ancient India under different dynasties marked a new chapter in history of numismatics studies in india.