Junagadh rock inscription of Rudradaman, Sanskrit rock inscription at Girnar mountain, India
The inscription of Rudradaman is a Sanskrit text carved directly into stone blocks at the base of Girnar mountain. It records details about irrigation systems and water management works that were completed centuries before this text was inscribed.
The text was inscribed in the 2nd century but describes irrigation work from the Maurya dynasty era, roughly five centuries earlier. This inscription ranks among the oldest detailed Sanskrit records that have survived to the present day.
The text marks a moment when Sanskrit literature flourished and people took pride in recording their accomplishments for the public. Placing it on a sacred mountain transformed it into a lasting statement of power and achievement that could be seen by all.
The site is located on Girnar mountain near Junagadh and is relatively accessible when approaching the main mountain entrance. The stone sits at a low position, allowing visitors to examine the carved text closely without needing special equipment or climbing.
Parts of the text have been lost to natural erosion and intentional damage, requiring scholars to reconstruct missing sections by comparing multiple sources. These gaps reveal how vulnerable stone inscriptions are and how precious these ancient records truly become.
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