What are limitations of the inscriptional evidences explain with briefly ​

answer

The limitations are: (i) Sometimes the words engraved are very faint hence it is very hard to decipher them. (ii) Sometimes the inscriptions are damaged. Many words are lost due to their damaged hence we are not able to get the proper meaning.

Limitations of inscriptional evidence are: Technical Limitations: Sometimes letters are very faintly engraved and thus doubts arise for inscriptions may be damaged or letters missing. Damaged or Missing Letters: Sometimes important letters are damaged or missing in the inscription.

Infact, Mauryan dynasty can be called as the first historical dynasty in India. As pointed out by Dr. V.A. Smith. ‘With the establishment of Maruyan dynasty, the history of ancient Indian emerges from darkness to light.

The Puranas of the Hidnus, Buddhist texts like Dipavanasa, Mahabodhivansa and Mahavansa, and Jain texts like Kaplasutra of Bhadrabhahu, Parisista-Parva of Hemachandra form some of the important sources. Amongst descriptions of foreign writers, particularly those of the Greeks, the accounts of Nearchus, Herodotus, Aristobulus and Megasthenes have been regarded valuable. Here I am giving in detail the description about some main historical sources of Maruyan History.

(a) Indica: Indica is the famous historical work of famous Greek traveler Megastheness (who had been sent by Selucus to the court of Chandragupta). In this book he has described whatever he saw or heard about India during his stay of 5 years in India. He wrote a detailed description of the central, city, military and provincial administration of Chandragupta Maruya. Though his book ‘Indica’ is not available now but references from it have been found in the works of other Greek historians.

A scholar named Meckrindle has collected those references and translated them into English. This work gives very valuable information about the Maruyan period of Indian history. Megasthene’s Indica not only gives useful information about Maruyan administration but also about social classes and economic activity during the Maruyan period.

Limitations of inscriptional evidence are: Technical Limitations: Sometimes letters are very faintly engraved and thus doubts arise for inscriptions may be damaged or letters missing. Damaged or Missing Letters: Sometimes important letters are damaged or missing in the inscription.