Ancient Land Grant Inscription Found in Uttarakhand’s Lakhamandal

NEWS CHARIOT:-A significant archaeological discovery has been made at the ancient Shiva temple complex in Lakhamandal, situated in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. Experts have identified a rare inscription from the Gupta period, shedding new light on early temple patronage and political structures in the region.

The inscription, etched on a stone slab and currently housed in a storeroom within the temple premises, dates back to the 5th century C.E. It is written in Sanskrit using the Brahmi script, reflecting the linguistic style and cultural conventions of early classical India. Though heavily damaged and partially worn away, scholars believe the text is composed in metrical verse, a common format for royal and religious decrees of the time.

Initial analysis suggests that the inscription records a land donation, possibly meant to support temple rituals and daily worship. Such endowments were a hallmark of Gupta-era governance, highlighting the role of kings as patrons of religious institutions. Although the name of the king who issued the grant is lost due to the slab’s deterioration, he is referred to by the honorific “ityavanīpatiḥ,” indicating his noble or royal status.

In addition to the unnamed ruler, the inscription mentions two individuals—Shailesha Anand Rudrabhatla(raka)—who may have been instrumental in facilitating the donation or managing temple affairs. Their inclusion provides insight into the administrative and religious framework of the time, suggesting the presence of an organized temple bureaucracy even in remote regions like Lakhamandal.

This discovery enriches the existing body of early North Indian inscriptions and provides valuable context to the socio-religious landscape of Uttarakhand during the Gupta period. Historians and archaeologists view it as a vital piece in reconstructing the political and devotional history of the region.

The find underscores the historical significance of Lakhamandal, already renowned for its mythological connections to the Mahabharata, and further cements its place in India’s ancient religious and cultural heritage.

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