Kanheri Cave 2 Cistern Inscription

Editors: Kelsey Martini, Vincent Tournier.

Identifier: DHARMA_INSKI00004.

Hand description:

Language: Middle Indo-Aryan.

Repository: Satavahana (tfb-satavahana-epigraphy).

Version: (e852375), last modified (22a2640).

Edition

⟨1⟩ kalīAñasa negamasa cita⟨2⟩kiyasa puṇavasuyatasa poḍhi deyadhama

Apparatus

⟨2⟩ puṇavasuyatasa ⬦ punavasuyatasa G.

Translation

A cistern, the meritorious gift of Puṇavasuyata the Citakiya, a market councillor [of] Kalyan.

Commentary

The term citakiya could indicate the occupation of the donor, but we are unable to make sense of it. It could possibly be related to Skt. citrakāra “painter”.

The term negama, which occurs quite frequently in the Kanheri inscriptions, has typically been translated as “merchant” or “urbanite” by previous editors of early Indian inscriptions. However, it is clear from the evidence of KI033.9 visighā□[ni]gamāṇa tti °apaḍikkhetavvā and IBH III Nasi 12.4 eta ca sarva srāvita nigamasabhāya(ṃ) nibadha ca (ph)alakavāre caritrato ti that at this time period in the Western Deccan the term nigama denoted a governing body that oversaw commercial transactions (a “market council”). Thus we translate the derivative term negama as “market councillor”.

Bibliography

Primary

[N] Nagaraju, S. 1981. Buddhist Architecture of Western India (c. 250 B.C.- c. A.D. 300). Delhi: Agam Kala Prakashan. Page 333, item 3.

[G] Gokhale, Shobhana. 1991. Kanheri inscriptions. Pune: Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute. Page 47, item 4.