Indian Languages, Scripts, Inscriptions and Coins Notes for UPSC: Brahmi, Kharosthi, Classical Languages, Famous Edicts, Numismatics and Epigraphy Explained

Languages, scripts, inscriptions and coins are the primary sources of Indian history. Without them, we would not know the names of the kings, the extent of their empires, the economic life or the religious beliefs of the people. UPSC asks about them in the Prelims as "Which script was deciphered by whom?", "Which inscription is linked with which ruler?" and "Which coin was issued by which dynasty?", and in the Mains as questions on the sources of history and the classical languages. These notes explain the major languages, scripts, famous inscriptions and coins of India, in tables, with a clear order and memory tips.

Why This Topic Is Important

This is a compact topic with a very high chance of direct questions. The study of inscriptions is called epigraphy, the study of coins is numismatics and the study of ancient scripts is palaeography. UPSC likes to combine these with the history of a particular ruler or period, so it is useful to read this note with our notes on the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta Empire and the Indian Literature and Classical Languages.

Language Families of India

The Constitution recognises 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule. Sindhi was added by the 21st Amendment (1967), Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali by the 71st Amendment (1992), and Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santhali by the 92nd Amendment (2003).

Classical Languages of India

The government declares a language as a "Classical Language" if it has a very ancient and independent literary tradition (generally a history of more than 1,500 to 2,000 years) and a body of ancient literature. The status gives benefits such as international awards and the establishment of centres of excellence.

Ancient Scripts

Famous Inscriptions

Ancient and Medieval Coins

What Do These Sources Tell Us?

Inscriptions tell us about the rulers, their conquests, land grants, religious donations and administration. Coins tell us about the economy, trade, the ruler's titles and religion. The Gupta gold coins show prosperity, while a decline in the gold content in the later period is seen by some scholars as a sign of an economic change. The Roman coins found in the south show the Indo-Roman trade. The land-grant copper plates of the early medieval period show the rise of feudal tendencies. Language also gives clues: the use of Prakrit shows the connection with the people, and the shift to Sanskrit in the inscriptions shows the growing role of the court and the Brahmanical culture.

Ashokan Edicts: A Closer Look

The Ashokan inscriptions are the first deciphered written records of the Indian history and are found from Afghanistan to Karnataka. They are of three main types. Major Rock Edicts (14 in number, at places such as Girnar, Kalsi, Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra and Dhauli) state Ashoka's policy of Dhamma, his welfare measures and the Kalinga war (Rock Edict XIII). Minor Rock Edicts, such as the one at Maski in Karnataka, which names "Ashoka" for the first time, give his personal messages. Pillar Edicts, on the polished sandstone pillars at Sarnath, Lauriya Nandangarh and Delhi-Topra, describe the administration and morality. The Sarnath lion capital became the national emblem of India. The edicts use simple Prakrit so that the common people could read them, and they show that Ashoka cared for the animals, the sick, the prisoners and the people of the border areas.

Language, Politics and Identity

Languages in India are not only a means of communication but also a part of the identity and politics. The linguistic reorganisation of the states after 1956, the debates on Hindi and English, and the three-language formula all arose from this. For the Mains, you may be asked about the role of the language in national integration. A balanced answer says that language is a source of the diversity and the cultural richness, that the classical language status helps in the preservation of the literature, and that the Constitution (Article 343 to 351 and the Eighth Schedule) tries to protect the diversity and promote Hindi and the other languages together. Mention also the Linguistic Minorities Commissioner and the efforts to protect the endangered languages, as many Indian languages are spoken by only a few people.

Memory Tips

• Brahmi: left to right. Kharosthi: right to left (K for the opposite side of the "king" of scripts).
• Link each inscription with its language: Ashoka with Prakrit, Rudradaman with Sanskrit, Cholas with Tamil.
• Link each coin with a ruler: Dinara with the Guptas, Tanka with the Delhi Sultanate, Rupia with Sher Shah.
• For the classical languages, learn the order of the years: 2004, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2024.

Archaeological Bodies and Terms

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was set up in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham, who is called the "Father of Indian archaeology".
• James Prinsep deciphered the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts in the 1830s.
• Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions, numismatics is the study of coins, and palaeography is the study of the old scripts.
• Copper plates (tamrapatra) were used for the land grants in the Gupta and post-Gupta period.

Previous-Year Style Practice

• Which script was deciphered by James Prinsep? Answer: Brahmi.
• Which inscription describes Samudragupta's conquests? Answer: Prayag Prashasti.
• Which king issued the silver rupia? Answer: Sher Shah Suri.
• Which inscription gives details of the village self-government of the Cholas? Answer: The Uttaramerur inscription.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who deciphered the Brahmi script?

James Prinsep deciphered the Brahmi script in 1837.

In which direction is Kharosthi written?

From right to left, and it was derived from the Aramaic script.

Which was the first language to get the classical status in India?

Tamil, in 2004.

How many languages are in the Eighth Schedule?

There are 22 languages.

Which inscription is the earliest long Sanskrit inscription?

The Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman I.

Who wrote the Prayag Prashasti?

Harishena, the court poet of Samudragupta.

What are punch-marked coins?

They are the oldest Indian coins, usually of silver, with symbols punched on them.

Which dynasty issued the maximum gold coins in ancient India?

The Guptas issued a large number of gold coins called dinaras, and the Kushanas issued gold coins before them.

Who introduced the silver rupia?

Sher Shah Suri.

What does the Uttaramerur inscription show?

The system of village self-government of the Cholas, with the election by lots.

What is epigraphy?

The study of inscriptions.

Who founded the Archaeological Survey of India?

Alexander Cunningham in 1861 started the ASI.