The Mazar-i-Sharif Inscription of the Shahi Ruler Veka

Revisited

Abstract

The Mazar-i-Sharif inscription is a rectangular stone slab that is inscribed with 11 lines of Sarada characters. The inscription is said to be discovered in the northern part of Afghanistan and brought to Pakistan from Mazar-i-Sharif (Dani 2001: 81). The inscription was previously belonged to late (Gen.) Nasirullah Babar, the then Interior Minister of Pakistan. The said owner presented the inscription under description to the Islamabad Museum (Dani 2001: 81). This inscription was studied and published by AH Dani (2001). The said author exhaustively studied the Sanskrit text and provided informations about the purpose, ruling king and the date of the inscription. The inscription refers to the reign of Veka, the Hindu Shahi ruler. Dani identified this king with Vakadeva who according to the inscription was occupied by eight fold forces, the earth, the markets and the forts (Dani 2001: 81). The inscription narrates the establishment of the image of Siva Bhattaraka with Uma. According to Dani, it was built by Parimaha (great) Maitya for the benefit of himself and his son at Maityasya (Dani 2001: 81). Although the study of Dani is a significant contribution to unveil the contents of the inscription but his transliteration and translation are by no means final and free from mistakes. The present scholar attempts to revisit the said inscription for better understandings.