This inscription is one of several incised on the steps leading to a ruined shrine near the reconstructed porch known as ‘the Stone Canopy’ or ‘Burrows’ Pavilion’ in the area of the Abhayagiri vihara at Anurādhapura. Eight of these inscriptions remain legible. On the basis of palaeographic evidence, they can be dated to the second half of the sixth century or the first half of the seventh century. They register grants of money by various individuals to the Abhayagiri-vihāra for the maintenance of slaves.
| Metadata | |
|---|---|
| Inscription ID | IN03172 |
| Title | Anurādhapura Stone Steps near ‘Burrows’ Pavilion’ Inscription 1 |
| Alternative titles | |
| Parent Object | OB03141 |
| Related Inscriptions | |
| Responsibility | |
| Author | Senarath Paranavitana |
| Print edition recorded by | |
| Source encoded | |
| Digitally edited by | |
| Edition improved by | |
| Authority for | |
| Metadata recorded by | |
| Authority for metadata | |
| Metadata improved by | |
| Authoriy for improved | |
| Language | සිංහල |
| Reigning monarch | |
| Commissioner | |
| Topic | registers a grant of money by an individual called Sadeva Ganaya and another whose name is no longer legible to the Abhayagiri-vihāra for the maintenance of slaves |
| Date: | |
| Min | 550 |
| Max | 650 |
| Comment | Basis for dating: palaeography. |
| Hand | |
| Letter size | 4.445 cm |
| Description | Letter size varies from ¾ to 1¾ inches (1.905 to 4.445 cm). |
| Layout | |
| Campus: | |
| Width | 45.72 |
| Height | |
| Description | Six lines of unequal length engraved on the first tread of the stone steps leading to a ruined shrine near the reconstructed porch known as ‘the Stone Canopy’ or ‘Burrows’ Pavilion’ in the area of the Abhayagiri vihara at Anurādhapura. The tread is comprised of two stone pieces and the present inscription is engraved on the left side of the right-hand piece. IN03173 and IN03174 are engraved one above the other to the right of the present inscription on the same piece of stone. No space has been left between the ends of the lines of the present inscription and the beginnings of those of IN03173 and IN03174, making it appear at first glance as if the writing on this stone comprised a single inscription, rather than three distinct records. |
| Decoration | |
| Bibliography | |
| References | Edited and translated by Senarath Paranavitana in Epigraphia Zeylanica 4 (1934–41): 136–141, no. 16, I. |
| Add to bibliography | |
| Misc notes | |