# Kanheri Cave 2 Cistern Inscription

Kelsey Martini and Vincent Tournier

Authors of digital edition: Kelsey Martini, Vincent Tournier

Contributor: Kelsey Martini

Identifier: DHARMA_INSKanheri00004

Repository: Early Western Deccan (tfb-earlywesterndeccan-epigraphy)

File path: xml/DHARMA_INSKanheri00004.xml

Language: Middle Indo-Aryan [Script (unspecified)]

Commit: 2026-09-17 08:03 (159f390), last modified 2026-09-17 05:29
(3d6ac09)

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## 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.