OB02019

Slab of stone found in the Chowkitar village, Thānkot. Saṃvat 482.

Inscription carved on a slab of stone found in the Chowkitar village, Thānkot. Saṃvat 482. Gnoli reports (1956: 26) that the exact text of this inscription is also found in other three inscriptions from the same date: the Balambu Inscription of Luk Mahādev (IN02023), the Kulāchetole Stele Inscription (IN02024) and the Kisipidi Stone Inscription 2 (IN02025). The only difference lies in the place names: here and in IN02023 the place is called śītāṭikātale tegvalgrāma, in IN02024 and IN02025 the name of the place is śītāṭikātale kicapriṅgrāma. Regmi (1983a:42) writes about these inscriptions: “As it appears the stones are scattered in different villages, which are situated in close proximity to one another in a larger locality called sītāṭikātale (valley). Perhaps the area now covered by the villages of Thankot, Satungal, Kisipidi, Balambu and Chowkitar with the river Balkhu flowing from the northern side below the hills, the river itself forming a bed outsmarting the hilly bases, was known as sītaṭīkā and because it was an expansive belt the name tala was given to it.

We know that the Chowkitar inscription was addressed to the inhabitants of Tegvalagrāma. But two others are not known fully because of the first letter missing. However, the Kisipidi inscription gives a very meaningful name, Kichaprinchinggrama but the names appearing in the Satungal and Balambu stones do not provide a clue to their past names judged from the nature of the present names.”