HYDERABAD: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) epigraphy branch in Mysuru has decrypted Brahmi and Prakrit language inscription belonging to second century AD found in Nagarjunakonda.
The inscription was lying in Delhi Museum as a reserve collection.
K Muniratnam Reddy, director, epigraphy branch, ASI Mysuru, said: “We have received a photograph of this inscription from the National Museum, Delhi. It is observed that this inscription from Nagarjunakonda remained unnoticed till now and is preserved in the reserve collection of the museum. It is written in Prakrit language and Brahmi characters of the second century AD. It seems to record the gift of Buddhapada”.
The inscription reads, “Siddham Sakasa Modasa Bakanaya Budhaya Patapada Deyadhamma.”
Nagarjunakonda was the seat of Ikshavaku dynasty that ruled Telugu land. The archaeological site, once a valley and now an island, is known for remains of ancient Buddhist monuments dated first to third century. Nagarjuna, the founder of Mahayana school of Buddhism, taught in the ancient university in Nagarjunakonda.
Earlier, researchers found the tools belonging to the neolithic and palaeolithic age. Humans inhabited the area for long since the stone age.