Mandsaur Inscription
Mandsaur Inscription is a group of stone inscriptions from the Gupta period at Mandsaur (ancient Dashapura), Mandsaur District, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Overview
The Mandsaur Inscriptions include several important Gupta-period documents, most notably the Silk Weavers’ Inscription (c. 473 CE) and the Seth Mihirakula inscription. They provide detailed information about guild life, trade, and administration in central India.
Historical Context
The inscriptions were discovered in the 19th century during colonial surveys. The Silk Weavers’ Inscription records the establishment of a silk-weaving guild by migrate artisans fromLabdhaka (possibly Punjab). The Seth inscription documents the activities of a merchant community during the reign of Kumaragupta I. The Mandsaur region was an important trading center connecting northern and southern India.
Features/Significance
The Silk Weavers’ Inscription is one of the most detailed guild documents from ancient India, recording migration patterns, religious dedications, and economic organization. The inscriptions are in Sanskrit and use the Brahmi script. They provide evidence of early Indian textile manufacturing and long-distance trade networks.
Modern Status
The inscriptions are preserved at the Mandsaur Museum and the Government Museum, Delhi. They remain key sources for understanding Gupta-period economy and social organization.
Verification Notes
- ASI site code: MP-MDS-1
- Gupta-period inscriptions, 5th century CE
- Silk Weavers’ Inscription: c. 473 CE in Sanskrit