Singhpur stepwell inscription of VS 1535/1479 CE

To facilitate readability of the contents, the text and translation of the Sanskrit verses in the first part of the inscription (lines 1-16) are presented individually in their appropriate metrical format, while that of the Hindi prose (lines 16-36) is divided up into blocks based on the subject matter. Line numbers are given in brackets so the text can be cross-checked with my transcription of the epigraph, available online on the present database. The punctuation of the text with daṇḍas that mark metrical pauses, and orthographical peculiarities (e.g. sa for śa) are retained throughout as they reflect prevalent patterns of pronunciation and recitation. I am indebted to Dominic Goodall for numerous improvements and literary references. For bibliography, see Concordance.

॥𑗁०॥सिद्धिगणेशाय नमः॥

Success! Homage to Gaṇeśa who has supernatural powers (siddhi).

मल्लै: शैलेंद्रकल्प:। शिशुरितरजनै:। पुष्पचाफों(पों)गनाभि।

र्गोपैस्तु प्राकृतात्मा दिवि कुलिशभृता। (2) विश्वकायो(प्र)मेय:।

क्रुद्धः कंशेन  कालो। भयचकितदृशा। योगिभिर्धेयमूर्ति:।

दृष्टो रंगावतारे हरिरमरगणानंदकृत्पातु युष्मा(3)न्॥१ (sragdharā)

May Hari, who delights the assembly of gods, protect you all when he is seen incarnate on the dance-floor—as a lofty mountain by wrestlers, as a child by other people, as the God of Love by womenfolk, as an ordinary mortal by cowherds, as the immeasurable body of the universe by Indra in heaven, as the wrathful God of Death by Kaṃsa whose eyes tremble with fear, as the image to be meditated upon by yogis.^[1]

स वो दिशतु भद्राणि। विघ्नवारणवारण:।

गणानां  भुवनानां च। नायको[ऽ]पि विनायक:॥२ (anuṣṭubh)

May He grant you all good things, the elephant who removes obstacles, who although a Nāyaka, leader of the hordes (gaṇas) and of the worlds, is [called] Vināyaka.^[2]

शिरोहनगरं वधूवदनचंद्रबिंबोद्गमै: (4)

स्फुरत्तरलतारकै।र्ललितमद्भूतं दृश्यते।

दिवापि किल छज्जल[:] सकलवंदिवृंदारकै:।

सुरेंद्र इव पूजित: समजनिष्ट तस्मिन्  पु(5)रे॥३ (pṛthvī)

Śirohanagara, which is charming with the rise of the moon-shaped faces of young women and the throbbing movement of starry eyes, appears extraordinary even by day.^[3] In that city, so they say, was born Chajjala, who was revered as though he were Indra by all bards.

यस्य श्रीछज्जलस्य। प्रतिदिवसमभूत् कीर्तिकर्पूरराशिः

वक्त्रे दिक्कामिनीनां। सुरभिनि सुतरां दिग्गजैर्वर्धमान:।

उद्ग्रीवासन्नकुंभच्छल(6)चलदमलस्फारमुक्ताफलाद्यै:(ढ्यैः)।

क्रीड़ार्थकोणिताक्षैर्गिरीशगिरिरिव प्रस्तुतो वीक्ष्यमाण:॥४ (sragdharā)

Of that Chajjala a heap of camphor-like fame arose rapidly day after day, covering the fragrant face of each of the pretty girls that are the Directions, and being seen and praised as the high mountain Himalaya himself by the elephants of the Directions, whose raised foreheads richly endowed with pearls of spotless radiance move about in pretext and whose eyes glance sideways only for play.

उवार इति नाम्नाभू।त्तस्य पुत्रो महासय:।

यस्य वा(7)चं समाकर्ण्य न कांक्षंति बुधा: सुधां॥५ (anuṣṭubh)

His son was the eminent Uvāra by name, upon hearing whose speech the pundits have no desire for nectar.

तदात्मजो भैरवनामधेय:। श्रीभैरवाराधनलब्धसिद्धि:

बभूव भूमौ धरणीधवानां सखा गुणानां निधिरेक एव(8)॥६ (ṛddhiḥ)

His son was named Bhairava, who attained powers by worshipping the god śrī Bhairava.

He was upon earth the friend of kings and the sole repository of virtues.

यो निःसृत्य गृहाद्विहाय विभवं। तातस्य विद्याबलात्।

श्रीमद्गूर्जरमेदिनीमभिगतः। तद्भूपदत्तां श्रीयं।

माद्यत्कुंजरकेलिकौतुकवतीं। हेमप्रभा(9)भूषितां।

लब्ध्वा तीर्थधरासु वासमकरोत् विप्रैः समं पुन्यवान्॥७ (śārdūlavikrīḍita)

He left home abandoning his father’s fortune because of his learning. Approaching the prosperous land of Gujarat, he obtained the wealth bestowed by its king, along with the wonder of rutting elephants, and adorned with the lustre of gold that meritorious man made his residence with brahmins on the grounds of a holy place.

भाग्येन तस्य सदनो तनया नयानां।

याता सखीव सुमुखी कुलकैरवानां।

उद्योतिनी स्फुरति (10) राजमतीति नाम्ना।

ज्योत्स्नीव (या) धवलयत्यभुवा(०) रंगां॥८ (vasantatilakā)

Fortunately, he had a daughter, one who is a seat of stratagems, who moves through the world as one of beautiful face, a friend as it were to the white water-lilies that are noble families.^[4] Being radiant, she shines by the name “Rājamatī.” Like a moonlit night she dazzles the dance floor.

सा शारदेव शरदिंदुमुखी गुणानां।

आवासभूमिरधिगम्य गयासदीनां।

वाग्भि: सुधाधवलिता(11)भिरवाप लक्ष्मीं।

दुर्व्वारवारणघटापरिपालितांगीं॥९ (vasantatilakā)

She is like Sarasvatī, a dwelling-place of virtues, her face like the autumn moon. Having approached Gayāsadīna (i.e. Sultan Ghiyāth al-Dīn), on account of her speech white as nectar, she obtained wealth which was protected by an troop of irresistible elephants « she obtained Lakshmi whose body is protected [through lustration] with water-jars held by irresistible elephants » .

यद्गेहेर्थिजना(:) प्रभातसमये। सर्वार्थमत्यादरा।

लब्ध्वा पूर्णमनोरथा: प्रतिदिनं। गेहं व्रजंत्यात्मन: (12)

गंगेवामलजीवना नृपतिभि: संस्तूयमाता^[5] सदा।

सैषा राजमती चिरं विजयते सर्वोपकारक्षमा॥१० (śārdūlavikrīḍitam)

At her house suppliants obtain all manner of things in the morning, and having fulfilled their hearts’ desires return to their houses every day. Pure and life-giving like Ganga herself, constantly being praised by kings, capable of doing favours for all, that Rājamatī is forever victorious.

तया कारिता वापिका पुण्यतोया।

तृषातापविच्छे(13)दिनी चाध्वगानां।

सुधासारसौष्यप्रदा भाति भूमौ।

जगल्लोचनानंदसंदोहपूर्णा॥११ (bhujaṅgaprayāta)

This step-well which she caused to be made, which has pure water and destroys the thirst and torment of travellers, shines forth on earth as pleasure-giving like a stream of nectar, full of a “milk” that is pleasure to the eyes of the world.

नानादेशसमागतान्द्विजवरान्। आहूयवेदाक्षरै:

पुन्ये स्या(14)त् सरसे तटे[ऽ]तिनिकटे हैमी तुला कल्पिता।

दत्ता चारु ययार्थिभाग्यजननी विप्रेभ्य: एव क्षणात्।

सैषा राजमती क्षितौ विजयते सर्वार्थसिद्धिप्र(15)दा॥१२ (śārdūlavikrīḍitam)

Having summoned with vedic syllables eminent brahmins arrived from different regions, her weight in gold—the source of fortune for suppliants—was arranged beside a holy lake extremely close to the bank, and at once pleasingly given to the brahmins.^[6] As the provider of success in all aims of life, this Rājamatī is victorious in the world.

यत्तोये प्रतिवासरं हिमरुचिर्वामभ्रुवामाननै।

रुन्मीलत्तरलायतमितिलसन्नेत्रांचलैर्निर्जित:।

व्याजेन प्रतिबिंबितोंकमखिलं स्वं प्रोंठि(16)तुं प्रायम:^[7]।

रात्रौ स्नाति पुनाति कं न विशदा मा वापिका सांप्रतं॥१३ (śārdūlavikrīḍitam)

On being defeated by the faces of lovely-browed women, beautiful with flashing eyes of long extent that quiver as they open, the moon—under the pretence of being reflected—daily bathes in its waters at night rather (prāyaśah) in order to get rid of (proṇṭhitum) the whole of his blemish (aṅka). “Who am I that this pure well does not purify now?”

राजमती भाटिणि ताका ढिली वासु सुलितान ममारख साहि के दासौधी पिता भै(17)रौदासु। तिही की पुत्री राजमती। सुपुत्री भणणहारी।चतुरविद्यापात्रा सुलक्षणा विद्यार्थणी दिसान्तर की फिरणहारी।अनेकगुणगरिष्टा सुचंदेरी (18)आइ रही।

Rājamatī bhāṭiṇi, whose father Bhairaudās was a bard (dasaudhī) of the Delhi-based Sultan Mubārak Shāh. It was his daughter Rājamatī—a dear daughter, captivating in her speech (bhaṇaṇahāri), accomplished in all four arts (catura-vidyā-pātrā), desirous of acquiring knowledge of good qualities (sulakṣaṇa-vidyārthanī), captivating by her whirling in different directions (disāntara-kī-phiraṇahāri), weighty with countless qualities (aneka-guṇa-gariṣṭā). She came to the beautiful Chanderi.

तिहि प्ररछाइ सेर खान मुक़ते तिहि राजमंदिरु घरु करवाया। बाग़ बाडी निवाण ताल बहुत करवाये। सेर खान बहुत मया करता जिसुकी (19) अरदासि करै राजमती करै सुनिहालु होता सुसेर खा साहन…,ममुदगज बंदी च…।सुचंदेरी चंद्र।पुरी का (20) साहिबु।

Her shadow is muqṭaʿ Sher Khān, who built her a palatial home (tihi rājamandir ghar), who built many gardens (bāga), wells (bāḍī), ponds (nivāṇa), and lakes (tāla). Sher Khān has great affection for her. Rājamatī makes respectful offerings to him. The good Sher Khān becomes gratified. He is the lord (sāhib) of the beautiful Chanderi, the moon-city.

सुराजमती भातिणि कहु बहुत मया करता। सुसुलितान गयासदीन भाग्या माडौगर्ढ अनेक रत्नमुक्ताफल सहित घरठाने दीए। पालिकी (21) सहित यह प्रसादु दीया।

The beautiful Rājamatī is highly respected by the great Sultan Ghiyāth al-Dīn, favoured by fortune at the fortress of Mandu. He gave countless gems and pearls along with houses and places to stay.

जिहि की तूं अरदासि करहि तिसु कहु नहालु करौ। जौणपुर का पातिसाहि भाग्या सुलितानु हुसेन साहि।तिहि सुलितानु अ(22)नेक हस्ती मुक्तफल।पालिकी सहित दीया।

Who you make offerings to, you make him utterly pleased: the padishah of Jaunpur favoured by fortune, Sultan Husayn Shāh, who gave countless elephants, pearls, plus palanquin.

तिहि पछि पंडुऐ का पातिसाहि बारर्बक साहि जाइ भाग्या।तिहि पालिकी सहित अश्वे सहित।पांच लक्ष (23)टंका हस्ती सहित दीया।

After him, the padishah of Pandua Barbak Shāh went with fortune. He gave her a palanquin plus horses, plus five lakh in coins (ṭaṃkā), plus elephants.

तिहि पीछे सुलितानु वलो ढिलिका भाग्या।२०० दुई सै घोडे दीए॥

After him, Sultan Bahlol, favoured by fortune in Delhi, gave two hundred (200) horses.

ठट्टे का पातिसाहि तुगलकु साहि भाग्या।सवालक्षु टंका दीया।

The padishah of Thatta, Tughluq Shāh, favoured by fortune, gave one-and-a-half in coins (ṭaṃkā).

गुजराती (24)पातिसाहि भाग्या।सुलितानु कुतुबुदी माहीदमामेनरठे।अलम षान। व।पालिकी सहितु।अनेक रत्न सहित जरीन।व।अश्व दीए

The Gujarati padishah, favoured by fortune, Sultan Quṭb al-Dīn…Alam Khān, gave a palanquin, plus countless jewels plus gold brocade (jarīn< Persian: zarī) plus horses.

बीदर का पातिसाहि या (25)बहुमनी सभाग्य।৷ तिणि बहुत प्रसादु करि एक लक्ष टंके की वस्तु दीई।अनेक तीर्थ कीए।अनेक दन्त दीए।धर्मात्मा पुन्यात्मा।षोजे जहां की सराइ। मुंडिया ए(26)हाझु हौद बडे को।৷

The padishah of Bidar, Bāhmanī, favoured by fortune. He got many palaces built, gave objects worth one lakh in coins (ṭaṃkā), built many shrines (tīrtha), gave many elephants. The abode (sarāi) of pious and saintly Khwaja Jahan, with a … big well (hauda <Persian: hauḍ).

सघरू। तिहि घर का नाउ राजमंदिरु।पिता भैरौदासु।माता माणिकदे।बहिनी भानुमती।भाई दासु ऐक था।भाणिजी दमयंती (27)आपणी राशि वैशारी।

Household. Her family is in a new ‘royal palace’ (rājamandir): father Bhairaudās, mother Manikade, sister Bhānumatī, only one brother Dās, niece Damayantī earnt their own wealth.

तिहि राजमती भाटिणि का सुपुत्र रामचंदु।अनेक-गुण-गरिष्ट।महाकवि।दानपुंन संयुक्तु।परनारी सहोदरु। माता (28)पिता भक्तु।अनेक कुतंब सागरणु।तिहि कहु सुलितान गयाससाहि।निसीरसाहि।बहुत मया कीए।अैसा सपूतु हूवा।तिहि का बांधव (29) वेणीदासु।

That Rājamatī’s son was Rāmacanda—a treasury of many virtues, a great poet, endowed with gifts (?), a brother to other women, devoted to mother and father, the sum of many households. He was respected by Ghiyāth Shāhī, and Nāṣir Shāhī was highly attached to him. Such a good son! His friend/brother was Veṇīdās.

तिहि का यह बागु बावडी राजमंदिरु घरु राजमती भाटिणि राशि करवाया। तिहि के आगे राजपुत्रु बीबू डोडू करावगु था।सील(30)वंत शुभकारी।वंश सुधु।

This is her garden, stepwell, palatial house built with the resources of Rājamatī bhāṭiṇi. After her, there was Rājaputra Bībūḍoḍu(?) who was a karāvagu. He was good-natured and did good deeds, and had a good lineage.

तिसु राजमती भाटिणि के आगे प्रधानु देविदासु भटु था। हलाल षोजा स्वामि भक्तु।जपगारी जाचंक जनक कुजा(31)णे सिरोमणि।यहु प्रधानु था।सडारिणि ददारतना।हलाल ष्वाज।कारीगरू बरहा।मनसुषु गूलायादास हना था॥सुफुरमाइ जुकरता॥ (32)॥

Then Rājamatī bhāṭiṇi had before her the pradhāna Devidās Bhaṭ. Halāl Khwāja—who was devoted to his patron, a crest-jewel (śiromaṇi), he was the pradhāna, the leader (saḍāriṇi < Persian: sadārat), praiseworthy (dadā-ratana) Halal Khwaja.^[8] The craftsmen (kārīgar) were Burahā, Manasukh, Gūlāyadāsa. They worked exactly as they were ordered.

ए ग।मंदिरथ जफर हर हिवार डुंडु तिभि तव झहि।कनकभ दिन भंडार गुडिगयगलगझहि।तुरय  तरल  पउक रहित जणित वरस/वएस  नाचंति। (33)…पुच्छ पछि पग्पयक भुव सरि अवरनघ क्षितिय।सहिबान सुधि रुचिरु रजुकरि धनजन वियराजं

(34) संवतु १५३५ वर्षे माघ सुदि ५ गुरुवासर।शुभमासषेणे।शिशिर रितौ।भाटिणि बाई राजंमती वापिका कारिता।सुभम् भुअम्।।

In the year saṃvat 1535, on Wednesday, the 5th of the bright half Māgh (=28 January 1479 CE), at an auspicious time in the winter season, bhāṭiṇi bāī Rājamatī founded this stepwell. May it be auspicious!

(35) [reading unclear]

(36) …..मुनि गुणसुंदरेण लिषिता।।

Written by muni Guṇasundara.

^[1] This verse is from the Kṛṣṇakarṇāmṛta of Bilvamangala (c.1220-1300), 2.103, ed. trans. Frances Wilson (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1974), 178-179. It is cited with slight variations in the Subhāṣitāvalī of Vallabhadeva (1417-67), v. 46, ed. Peter Peterson and Durgaprasad Pandit (Bombay: Education Society Press, Byculla, 1886), 7.

^[2] This is a reference to the early association of Gaṇeśa with a class of possessing demons called vināyaka, before his standard identification as the remover of obstacles; see Judith Törzsök, “Three Chapters of Śaiva Material Added to the Earliest Known Recension of the Skandapurāṇa,” in Origin and Growth of the Purāṇic Text Corpus, With Special Reference to the Skandapurāṇa, ed. Hans T. Bakker (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2004), 17-39, 21.

^[3] The image of moon faces and starry eyes draws on Kālidāsa’s Raghuvaṃśa, 6.34; see The Raghupañcikā of Vallabhadeva: Being the Earliest Commentary on the Raghuvaṃśa of Kālidāsa, ed. Dominic Goodall and Harunaga Isaacson, vol. 1 (Groningen: Egbert Forsten, 2003)

^[4] The moon is the masculine friend of white-water lilies

^[5] Read संस्तूयमाना

^[6] The wording is perhaps intended to call to the reader’s mind the figure of Cārudatta, by whom things are given freely, in the Mṛcchakaṭikā.

^[7] Read प्रायसः for प्रायशः, “generally” or “rather”

^[8] This portion presents some difficulties. While the role of Halal Khwaja is clearly spelt out as the pradhāna, the overseer of building operations carried out by the named workers (kārīgar), that of pradhāna Devīdās Bhaṭ remains unclear.

Om! Hail : Salute to Sri Ganesa.

L. 1-2) Krishna in his incarnation, as (Ranganatha) and who causes delight to the hosts of God and who is seen as a lofty mountain by the wrestlers, as a child by others, as Kamadeva by women, as cowherd by the common folk, as one who encampases the entire Universe by the thunderbolt-bearing Indra, as the angry Death  by Kamsa with eyes tremulous with fear, as one [who] is worthy to be meditated upon by  the Yogis, may [he] protext [sic] us with application.

L. 3-4) Vinayaka, who removes obstacle which are like elephant (or, who is just like an elephant in the removal of obstacles); the leader of the Ganas and the worlds, May [he] show prosperity to all of you.

L. 4-5) Indeed the city of Siroha looks marvellous in the day also, by the rise of the disc of the moon in the shape of women’s, delightful with stars in the shape of clear and tremulous pupils of eyes. In that city Chajjala was born who, like lndra, is worshipped by the infinite group of bards.

L. 5-6) Fame of that Chajjala is like a head of camphor increasing everyday in all directions, which are like the fragrant faces of women, This heap of camphor, lofty like the Himalaya is seen with uplifted necks by the Diggajas, whose foreheads are covered with pure and radiant pearls … and whose eye are half closed sportively.

L. 6-7) A noble-minded son was born named Uvara. After listening to his speech learned men have no desire for nector [sic]. His son was named Bhairava. He achieved perfection through adoration of Sri Bhairava.   He is the sole treasure of all virtues, the [sic] beame the friend of earth, cows and kings.

L. 8-9) Who having left his house and wealth of his father, obtained through  the power of his learning the Gurjara country, filled eagerness towards the sport of nearby elephants, and the wealth, shining with the lustre of gold, given by that king (of Gurjara). This meritorious one made the place of pilgrimage equal (?) to Brahmins (filled the place of pilgrimage with Brahmins?)

L. 10) His daughter (born) through the good fortune of his policies ....the moon faced one shining among her family member who are white lotuses, is known by the name of Rajamati, who, like moon light makes... white.

L. 11) She is like Sarasvati, and her face is as autumnal moon [sic], welling place of good virtues ... Ghiyasdin ... through her speech, made white (pure) by nectar obtained the earth, which was protected by the host (army) of irresistible elephants…

L. 11-12) In whose house each morning the supplicants having obtained all wealth along with respect, and (thus) having accomplished (their) desires, return to their houses. May she whose life is pure as Ganga, who is always praised by the kings, who is capable of doing all favours, be victorious for long time.

L. 13 This step-well, (Vapika) caused to be made by her, which removes with its water the traveller’s thirst, which gives the pleasure of the essence of nectar, which is filled with the mass of delight of (all) the eyes of the world, is resplendent on this earth.

L. 14) Having invited eminent Brahmins (here) from different countries through vedic syllabes she caused to be made, on the sacred bank of the pond close by, a golden weighing balance and gave immedately to the Brahmins this beautiful balance which produces wealth according to the supplicants.

L. 15-16) Every day the moon, defeated by the faces of women of Gaminlu (?) the faces … which contained eye collyrum, takes a dip at night in the water of that step-well under the pretext of getting himself reflected in it, in order to wash himself thoroughly, Whom does that vast step-well not purify now. (Sanskrit text ends here: dialect begins).

L. 17) Rajmati Bhatini obsered [sic] that (her father Bhairav das was a darraugi of Sultan Mubarak Shah (Sultan Mamarakh Sahi), seated at Delhi (Dhilli).

L. 18) His daughter's name was Rajmati, who was clever, beautiful, fortunate, a scholar and fostered with love and endearment.

L. 19) Several eminent persons came at Chanderi. From the eirs [sic] suggestions Sher Khan Mukta (muqta) made that royal temple and house as well as a garden and tank etc. Sher Khan had great sympathy for her. Rajmati requested him and (Sher Khan was) pleased (to do so).

L. 20-21) ......The fortunate Sultan Ghiyasuddin of Mandoai (Mandu) conferred this gift with several gems and pearls with a palanquin. Fierce ... (people were) also pleased after describing...his fame. The august Sultan Hussain Sahi of Jaunpur

L. 22) gave several elephants, pearls, with a palanquin. Thereafter, the fortunate king Barbak Sahi of Pandua gave horses, elephant and five lakh tankas with palanquin.

L. 23) Thereafter, the devoted and fortunate Sultan of Delhi gave two hundred horses. The august king Tughluq Sahi of (Tatta) Thatta gave one and a quarter lakh tankas.

L. 24) The fortunate Qutubuddin of Gujarat gave diamonds, geme [sic] and a whole mine with a palanquin, several pearls and gold with horses.

L. 25) The king of Bidar, the fortunate Sultan of Bahamani, gave many gifts and things with one lakh tankas… pious and religious…

L. 26-27) Th names of his family are as follows -- father Bhairavadas, mother Manika, two sisters, Bhanmati (and Rajmati), one brother Dasu and niece Damyanti … collected their own money.

L. 28) Rajmati Bhatini has a worthy son, named Ram Chandra, who possess [sic] good qualities, meritorious virtues, a brother for other women and devotee of mother and father, and a Mahakavi (great poet); and (who) got the favour from Sultan Ghiyasuddin Sahi and Nasiruddin Sahi.

L. 29) .........His brother was Benidas. Rajmati Bhatini constructed this garden, boali and royal temple with (that) money.

……..

L. 30) ......... The Pradhan was Devidas… Lal Khoru was the one soliciting the gift and ...... Dashana…

L. 31) .........The masons were Vurahmata, Sukhumala and Dashana …

L. 32) ………..

L. 33-34)… in Samvat year 1535 on the fifth day of the bright half of Magh, in winter, Rajmati Bhatini has constructed this step-well (Vapika). May prosperous.

L. 35) ...... Sulitana … Sahi Ghiyasuddin

L. 36) Written by Guna Sundra.