Question

What distinguishes the Allahabad Pillar as a unique historical artifact?

• A. It contains only Buddhist scriptures from the time of Ashoka.
• B. It features inscriptions from three different rulers across different time periods.
• C. It was erected by Jahangir to commemorate his southern campaigns.
• D. It was discovered in South India and moved to Allahabad by the British.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. It features inscriptions from three different rulers across different time periods.

Samudragupta’s Inscriptions A later inscription by Samudragupta on the pillar is regarded as the most significant historical record of the classical Gupta age. Written in refined Sanskrit by his court poet Harishena, it details Samudragupta’s military campaigns, political achievements, and his invasion of South India. Jahangir’s Inscriptions The pillar also bears an inscription from Mughal emperor Jahangir, engraved by his favored calligrapher, Mir Abdullah Mushkin Qalam, in Persian. This inscription overwrites parts of the much older Ashokan text.