Eran

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Eran Location Map

District map of Sagar

Vishnu Varaha Statue Eran

Eran (एरण) is an ancient historical place in Bina tahsil of Sagar District in Madhya Pradesh, India. It can be called to be the oldest historical town of Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh.

Variants of name

• Erakina/Airakina (एरकिण) (AS, (p.111)
• Airakirana (एरकिण)
• Erakirana (एरकिण) = Erana (एरण) (AS, (p.111)
• Airikina/Airikiṇa (ऐरिकिण)
• Svabhoganagara स्वभोगनगर दे. Eran एरण (AS, p.1003)

Location

Bina-Eran-Khurai Map

Eran is a Village in Bina Tehsil in Sagar District of Madhya Pradesh State, India. It belongs to Sagar Division . It is located 75 KM towards west from District head quarters Sagar. 19 KM from Bina. 140 KM from State capital Bhopal. Dhansara ( 4 KM ) , Satoriya ( 4 KM ) , Bindhai ( 4 KM ) , Gohar ( 6 KM ) , Sanai ( 6 KM ) are the nearby Villages to Eran. Eran is surrounded by Bina Tehsil towards North , Khurai Tehsil towards East , Basoda Tehsil towards South , Malthone Tehsil towards East . This Place is in the border of the Sagar District and Vidisha District. Vidisha District Kurwai is west towards this place.

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Eran is a village in the tehsil of Bina in the Sagar District of Madhya Pradesh. Eran is situated 75 km north-west of Sagar town in Madhya Pradesh. Eran is situated on the bank of Bina River (Ancient Venva), a tributary of river Betwa (ancient Vetravati). By encircling from their sides it, provides natural protection to Eran. In the fourth unprotected direction, there is a fortified wall and a ditch of Chalcolithic Period. Eran is approachable by the road from Mandibamora, which passes through Gohar and Dhansara villages. Mandibamora is about 12 km. far from Bina -Bhopal railway (central railway) track. Another fair weather route runs from Khurai town to Eran via Nirtala, Silgaon, Lahatwas and Dhansara.

History

In earlier coins and inscriptions its name appears as Airikiṇa (ऐरिकिण). From an early inscription at Sanchi we know that the residents of Eran had made some gifts to the famous Stupa situated at Sanchi. Eran is derived from Eraka. The word erakā probably refers to a kind of grass which grows at Eran in abundance. Eraka is also the name of a Nagavanshi King descended from Kauravya mentioned in Mahabharata Adi Parva.

Eran is the site of first reported case of Sati in India. The archaeological site nearby Eran has revealed several Gupta inscriptions. The village of Eran has a most interesting collection of archaeological relics. There is a fort in rulings attributed to the Dangis, who formerly dominated over this region. The site had a number of Vishnu shrines but nothing now remains except some of the lower courses of masonry, four standing columns with there architrave and some beams and part of door ways. The Principal statue is a colossal Varaha about 10 feet high. The excavation conducted by the Department of Archaeology of the University of Sagar have yielded relics similar to those found at Maheshwar and Tripuri showing that Eran formed the Northern most limit of the Chalcolithic culture in Madhya Pradesh. Excavations were carried out at Eran in 1960-61 to 1964-65; and 1987-88. Excavations at Eran have revealed about the earliest fort built by mud ramparts. Prof. K.D. Bajpai has has studied coins from Eran excavations and has done a chronological analysis. He has given a note on ‘Svabhoganagara’ in the Eran inscription of Samudragupta.

Eran is situated (Latitude 24°.5'North and longitude 78°.10'East) 75 k.m. North-west of Sagar town in Madhya Pradesh. Eran comes under Tehsil Bina of District Sagar. T.S. Bart was the first to discover there a number of antiquities, some being of great historical significance 1838 A.D. Eran is situated on the bank of river Bina (Ancient Venva), a tributary of river Betwa (Ancient Vetravati). By encircling from their sides it, provides natural protection to Eran. In the fourth unprotected direction, there is a fortified wall and a ditch of Chalcolithic Period3. Eran is approachable by the road from Mandibamora, which passes through Gohar and Dhansara villages. Mandibamora is about 12 km. far from Bina -Bhopal railway (central railway) track. The archaeological excavation was Conducted at Eran during 1960-65 and subsequently during 1987-88 &1998 A.D. by Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & archaeology. Sagar University, Sagar (M.P.). The antiquities of Neolithic and Chalcolithic culture has been found from Eran. The Mauryas, The Sungas,The Satvahanas,The Shakas,The Nagas,The Guptas, The Hunas, The Kalchuris, The Chandellas and The Parmaras had their hold over Eran region respectively. The Gupta monarch Samudra Gupta visited Eran which was his 'Swabhog Nagar'. A group of Temples is situated on the south bank of Bina River, just half a kms. to the west of the Village. In this group Vishnu Temple, Varaha Temple, Nrisingh Temple, Garuda Pillar and other ruined Temples are of architectural importance. The various inscriptions have found from Eran, These are inscription of Budhagupta, inscription of Saka ruler Sridhar Verma,inscription of Huna ruler Tormanh,inscription of Samudragupta and Gopraj Sati Pillar inscriptions. The several Sati Pillars have found from Eran. One of the Earliest Sati Pillars of India has been found from Eran. This was discovered by General Alexander Cunningham in 1874-1875 A.D. This inscriptions shows that in Gupta Era 191 (510 A.D.) Gopraj a warrior of Gupta ruler Bhanugupta came to Eran and lost his life in a great War. His wife became Sati in her husband's Pyre. Eran is a an important site of archaeological importance. Eran can be called to be oldest historical town in the Madhya Pradesh. Eran was known as Airikina in ancient time. Inscription and coins its name occurs as Airikina. The word 'eraka' Probably refer to a kind of grass. Which grows at Eran in abundance.

General A. Cunningham during his survey of this part of the country in 1874-75 visited Eran. Here he discovered a number of ancient copper coins. Some being of great historical value. These Included a good number of the punch-marked coins from Eran bear the figure of goddess Lakshmi other show animals horse & elephant , tree, within- railing and various other symbols, such as swastika, triratna, Indradhwaja, dharmachakra, lotus, Ujjain symbol, river with fishes semi-cercle design, crescent, cakra, bull, sadarcakra, hill, taurine and the vajra symbol, river with fish and the cross and ball symbol. Among the inscribed coins the most remarkable one is that of a ruler named Dharmapala. The legend rano dhamapalasa (of king Dharmapala) is written one the coin reversely in large brahmi letter of the Morya period. This coin presently display securely in British Museum, London. A number of very Important Coin and Inscribed Selling have been Found at Eran. One copper Coin bearing the name of king "Dharmapala" is counted among the earliest inscribed coins in India. On the paleographic grounds this coin has been assigned to the late third century B.C.. One Circular lead Piece bearing the Name of the another ruler "Indragupta" assignable to the same period has been discovered at Eran. Local Uniscribed copper coins of a number of varieties have been discovered at Eran. Attesting to the great Importance of this town as a political seat and also as a Coin-minting Center. Early Punch-marked and tribal coins were obtained from period II in excavation at Eran.

Several inscribed copper coins bearing the name 'Erakanya' or 'Erakana' in the Brahmi script have also been found at Eran. Besides giving the old name of the town, these coins exhibit a semi-circle design, acresent, swastika, tree- within-railing, dharmachakra bull and the Ujjain symbol. Cunningham proposed that the symbol of the river represent the river Bina on which the village stands. He also surmised that the semi-circle on the coins was representative of the old Eran town. Which was probably so shaped. The Brahmi script of these coins assigns them to second first century B.C., The rest of the copper coins from Eran do not bear any inscription some of the square copper coin from Eran represent the old karsnapanas bit some typical symbols of Eran. The number of punch-marked copper coins from Eran are pretty large. The excavation conducted at Eran by the university of sagar have yielded besides numerous other antiquities, a good number of coins. An interesting thin round gold piece (diam9, weight 20 grains) from the late chalcolithic level, assignable to about 1000 B.C.may be mentioned here. The piece, although well cut in a circular form, does not bear any symbols. It also does not indicate any clear signs to infer that it was used as an ornament. It appears that the piece was prepared just to serve as an object of money. The gold piece probably served as the medium of exchange for the chalcolithic people. The other finds of the period included silver and copper punch-marked coins. The excavation at Eran have yielded a hoard of 3,268 coin, in which most of the coins are made by copper and some of theme were silver coated. belonging to 2nd cent. B.C. It seems that there was a mint at Eran for a large scale production of copper coin of particular types.

Among the coins from Eran, Cunningham found a fairly good number of punch-marked, die-struck and cast coins. The number of copper punch-marked coins was found to be much larger than the silver punch-marked coins. Most remarkable among the die-struck coins were the square karsapanas of a standard weight of 144 grains and their several denominations. coins of these occur on the tribal coins of weight of the most of the coins varies from 17.45 grains to 24.43 grains. Punch-marked coins to about 300 B.C., if not a little earlier the latest phase of the copper punch-marked coins at eran comes to a close by the end of the 3rd century A.D., as revealed from the excavation.

Coins of the Kshatrapas, satavahana and Nagas, of the Gupta king Ramagupta, Huna ruler Tormana and of the Indo-sassanian rulers. The Naga coins found at Eran, Vidisha, Pawaya (Padmabati), and Mathura show various common features the names of rulers occurring on these coins are to be carefully studied and compared in order to arrive at a correct attribution and chronology of the Nagas. The mints at Eran and Vidisha produced a large number of copper coins. Copper was available in large quantities in the Balaghat area for the mints at Eran, Vidisha attesting to the great importance of this town as a political seat and also as a mint-town.

It may be remarked here that the economic condition of the Malwa and Bundelkhand areas must have been quit sound during the period of sunga-satavahana supremacy. Gold coins were unknown in the aria during this period and the silver currency in the form of punch-marked coin was also not much in use.

After the Sunga-Satavahana period, there was a political change in the region western Malwa was occupied by the Saka-kshatrapas and remained under there rule right from the middle of the second century A.D. till about the and introduced there silver currency in western Malwa, for some time they also minted there coins in the mint at Eran which was occupied by them, although for a short time.

Excavation has been found two hundred inscribed clay sealing (size 2.2 m.m ) on this sealing read the following bharmi inscription written in the well-known kshatrapa style. Rajno Isvaramitraputrasya rajno, simhasrisenasya (i.e of king Simhasrisena, son of king Isvaramitra) All though the titles 'kshatrapa' or Mahakshatrapa are replaced here by the titles 'Rajno' the style of the legend and the occurrence of the hill and river symbols, so common on the kshatrapa currency, leave no doubt that these two were kshatrapa chiefs. On the basis of palaeography the sealing can not be placed after 350 A.D. the two rulers Isvaramitra and his son Simhasrisena seem to have ruled over the Eran region of eastern Malwa some time at the and of the 3rd or in the beginning of the 4th century A.D.

Mention may be made of a very large number of copper coins of Ramagupta from Eran and Vidisha. The excavation conducted at Eran by the University of Sagar have brought to light four type of copper coins of Ramgupta. These types are 1. Lion 2. Garuda 3. Garudadhvaja 4. Boder legend type. All the coins of Ramgupta are of copper, varying in the weight from 20 to 30 grains. The coins are circulars in shape and their fabric is very similar to that of Naga coins, Wich have been discovred in large numbers at Eran & Vidisha. The name of Ramgupta is clearly written on some of the coins excavation at Eran.

The symbols Lion Garuda and Garudadhvaja are also quit distinction them. The brahmi legend on the coins is early Gupta, The stratigraphic. Evidence tallies with the numismatic evidence on that basis. It can be said that the coins were. Issued about the close of the 4th century A.D.33

Besides the coins of Ramagupta Eran has also yielded copper coin of Chandragupta Vikramadiya. These are of two types, chakra and purhaghata. The excavation at Vidisha have also brought to light copper coin of Ramgupta in size and fabric they resemble the Eran coin of that ruler. Ramgupta can be called the originator of the copper currency in the imperial Gupta dynasty. His numerous copper coins with certain characteristic features of this dynasty should be taken in to consideration when we study the coin age of the imperial Guptas, It is true that the monetary issues of Ramgupta were minted in eastern Malwa specially in the mints at Eran and Vidisha. These copper coins of Ramgupta are a king to the Naga coins and to some coins of the local Malwa rulers issued in this area prior to the Gupta period. It may; how ever be clearly pointed out here that the coins bearing the name Ramgupta are not the issues of any local officer of the imperial Guptas, nor of any feudatory king named Ramgupta. This king Ramgupta was the elder brother of Chandragupta II Vikrmadiya.

During digging out Excavation in Eran, post ancient era and Middle Period last layer of Excavation few Mughal emperor, Bhopal and Gwalior states coins are also found. During monsoon periods various punch marked coins of Naga, Shaka,Gupta, Mughal periods Bhopal and Gwalior states coins are also flash out by rains which exposed ancient Eran economic importance.

Recently authors of these lines have acquired 460 punch marked coins in a small clay pot this clay pots was totally damaged. Above said coins are made by silver, copper, tin and bronze alloy metal etc and approximately 2300 years old (i.e. 3th Century B.C.). This coins consisting of elephant, Sun, Sadara Cakra, Taurine, Tortoise, point in circle, Tree on platform, Swastika, Ox, hills, Fish, Tween snake, Vajra, Ujjain symbol etc. On these coins obverse side mainly consisting of five sign and reverse side one or two signs. Most commonly reverse side "Swastika" are displayed. Son, sadara cakra, Fish symbols were displayed on obverse side of all punch marked coins. Three coins are having holes probably those coins are used by people as necklace or ornaments. Above mentioned symbols are considered as kingdom, capital, prime minister, head of mint etc. These symbols prove of originality of the coins. Reverse side symbol related to the mint of the coin. Approximately weight of four types coins are found in 460 coins, which are prepared in rectangle and square shape, few of them are prepared in punch marked methods and few were made by stamping methods, previous one types weighted 1.30 grams, second one types weighted 2.50 grams, third one weighted 3.80 grams and last fourth types weighted 9.60 grams are found.

During the course of preparing these coins, hot metals were spread like sheet and then marked with symbols, afterwards, they were cut down into pieced to make a coin, and therefore few marks on the coins are left half due to cutting process.

These Included a good number of the punch-marked coins from Eran bear the figure of Son & Moon other show animals elephant &, horse, tree, within-railing and various other symbols, such as swastika, triratna, Indradhwaja, dharmachakra, Ujjain symbol, river with fishes semi-circle design, crescent, cakra, bull, sadarcakra, hill, taurine and the vajra symbol, These coins are displayed in Archeological museum of Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sager (M.P.).

Mint of Eran producing coins till third century B.C. to sixth century B.C. An important role of Eran was performed to produce coins in ancient India during regime of various kings in Indian History. General Alexander Cunningham has considered Indian punch marked coins as basic and origins of coins concept. John Allen asserted 500 B.C. as origins of coins in India.

At the beginning Cunningham, found a number of coins imprinted written matters and unwritten coins in Eran. Thereafter under supervision of Prof. K.D. Bajpai & Dr. U.V. Singh, Prof. S.K. Pandey & Prof. V.D. Jha number of thousand coins are found during excavation. A vital nature information pertaining to immediate Indian society, culture, Art, religion, economic system, political affairs and arrangements are acquired by study of these coins. During ancient coins production mint was established in important cities, which were situated on important trade route of Empire. Eran situated in centre between Bharruch (Bhragu Kachha), Ujjain to Kaushambi, Mathura, Taxshila trade route. In various periods coins were produced in large scale by mint of Eran, it is proved by number of thousand coins acquired in Eran.

Sati Pillar Inscriptions

• Ist Sati Pillar: This Pillar inscription is badly affected and contains probably the date 'Samvat' 788 (866 A.D.) which is probably 'Sak Samvat'. In this inscription 'Erani' is inscribed instead of Eran. It proves the 'Erakanya' of the Pre-Gupta Period 'Erakaina' of the Gupta Period was known as 'Erani' in Early Medieval Period .From 'Erani' the village derived its modern name 'Eran'. The length, width, and thickness of this Pillar are respectively 1.67mts., 40 cms. and 10cms. The inscription is of 4 lines. The Horse and a human couple is engraved in standing position. On the top of the Pillar, the hand is engraved in blessing pose. The Sun , The Moon , Five Stars and Holy Furnace are also engraved. The stone is of hard red color.

• IInd Sati Pillar: The term 'Ram- Ram' has been found inscribed for the first time on this Pillar. Pillar inscription is Samvat 1155 (1233 A.D.). 'Maharajadhiraj Sujitanmah' is inscribed in this Pillar. The Pillar proves that Sujitanmah was the native ruler of Eran in 1233 A.D. This Pillar is made up of brown sandstone. The respective length, width and thickness of this Pillar are 1.73 mts., 36cms. and 15cms. A couple is shown holding some pots. On the top of the Pillar blessing hand is shown. The inscription is of about 11 lines. Near this Sati Pillar other Sati Pillars are lying their inscriptions are mutilated .

• IIIrd Sati Pillar: This Pillar is dated in Sak Smvat 1314 (1392A.D.). Two women worshiping 'Shivalinga' are carved. Both women are having 'bun-shaped hairdo' the 'Shivalinga' is on a platform. Two women are shown involved the combat. One is on the elephant and another is on the horse. Both are shown holding sword and javelin . A woman is shown between them having. The elephant and horse are adorned by cloths . It seems that after the death of the husband his wife led the army and after getting victory. She went 'Sati' . The length, width and thickness of the Pillar are 2.28 mts, 46cms. and 15cms respectively .

• IVth Sati Pillar: Jai Sri Ram is mentioned at the beginning on Pillar. This Sati Pillar is situated on the Northern bank of Bina River. It belongs to 'Sak Samvat' 1335 (1413A.D.) . A Horse is inscribed on this Pillar. A couple has been shown in standing position holding their hands. Hands are depicted in blessing posture . The Sun, The Moon, Five Stars , Holy Furnace are shown. On the top of this Pillar there is 'Mangalghat' the length, width and thickness of this are 1.68 mts, 46 cms., 9 cms. respectively. This inscription is of 10 lines. The term 'Eran' is inscribed. The another Sati Pillar is close by this Sati Pillar, which was unearthed by the villagers besides illegible inscription two women figures are shown on it worshiping 'Sivalinga' . The husband is shown lying on a Pyre, his wife is shown, shampooing his feet. The length, width and thickness of the Pillar are 91cms, 46cms, 7cms respectively.

• Vth Sati Pillar: At beginning the term 'Jai Sri Ram' is mentioned on this Pillar .It is dated in 'Sak Samvat' 1400 (1478A.D.). The length, width, and thickness of this Pillar are 2.16 mts, 74 cms. and 18 cms respectively. There are 10 lines in this inscription . Two women are shown worshiping ' Sivalinga'. The husband is lying on Pyre wife is shown shampooing his feet. The Horse is also inscribed. On both the sides of the hands The Sun, The Moon, Five Stars and Holy Furnace are inscribed. Near the Holy Furnace, an ox is depicted.

• VIth Sati Pillar: This Sati Pillar is dated in 'Sak Samvat' 1402 (1480A.D.) . On this Pillar, the husband is lying on the Pyre his wife has been shown holding his feet. Two women are shown, worshiping 'Shivalinga' .On the top of the Pillar there are two blessing hands. The Sun, The Moon, Five Stars are shown on both sides of the hands. The length, width, thickness of the Pillar are 1.37 mts., 63 cms. and 7 cms respectively .There are 4 lines in this inscription which is an illegible.

• VIIth Sati Pillar: This Pillar is dated 'Sak Samvat' 1628 (1706 A.D.). The length, width and thickness of this Pillars are 1.8 mts , 48 cms, and 10 cms respectively. On the top of the Pillar two blessing hands are shown The Sun, The Moon , five stars and holy furnace are inscribed .A couple has been shown in standing position holding the hands of each other.

• VIIIth Sati Pillar: In the beginning of the inscription term 'Sri Ganesh Shaya Nama' is mentioned. It is dated in 'Sak Samvat' 1802 (1880 A.D.). This Sati Pillar belongs to Chaudhary Majoop Singh'. 'Khichi' is inscribed as 'Gotra'. The descendents of 'Chaudhary Majoop Singh' narrate that died in the Battle, his wife went Sati with pillow. They are still living at Eran . The length, width and thickness of the Pillar are 1.73 mts , 53 cms.,10 cms respectively.. The inscription is of 10 lines. The horse is inscribed on the Pillar. A couple has been shown in standing position, holding hands. The riding persons having sword in his waist. On the both sides of the blessing hand The Sun, The Moon , Five Stars and Pillow are inscribed ..

• IXth Sati Pillar: The term 'Sri Ram' and 'Sri Ganesh Shaya Nama' are inscribed on this Pillar .The Pillar is dated in 'Sak Samvat' 1831(1909A.D.) . Term 'Sri Dubey Srvani Das' is inscribed on this Pillar. This Sati Pillar belongs to 'Brahamna society'. The length, width and thickness of the Pillar are 1.90 mts, 41cms, 10 cms respectively . A couple has been shown in standing position, holding hands. On the top of the Pillar there are blessing hands. The Sun, The Moon, Five Stars and Holy Furnace are inscribed term 'Eran Battisi' is inscribed instead of village Eran . The inscription is of about 16 lines. The inscription is completely damaged.

• Xth Sati Pillar: This Pillar is dated 'Sak Samvat' 1832 (1910A.D.). The Length, width and thickness of this Pillar are 1.32 mts., 43 cms.and 10 cms respectively. The inscription starts from the bottom of the Pillar and runs gradually upwards. The figure of the Horse is also depicted upside down. The blessing hand The Sun, The Moon , Five Stars, Holy Furnace are engraved. A couple has been shown in standing position , holding hands 'Eran Battisi' is inscribed instead of Eran.

Besides the above Sati Pillars many Sati Pillars have been found in Eran , The Pillars have been fitted on the platforms and houses by the Natives of Eran. By these Sati Pillars much information is obtained about the conditions of women and Eran village during Medieval Period and Modern Period.

On the basis of the inscription and figures on the Pillar it can be informed that during the Medieval Period and Modern Period villagers of Eran were Followers of 'Ganpti Sampradaya' , 'Vaisnava Sampradaya', and 'Shaiva Sammradaya'. The inscription exhibit that an addition to the Kshtriyas the Brahamas also followed Sati system. Even after the death of King 'Maharajadhiraj Sujitanmah' his chaste wife become Sati. It shows that the royal families also involved in were Sati system. The depiction The Sun, The Moon, and Holy Furnace on the Sati Pillar indicates that the natives had the faith on natural powers. The blessing hands have been engraved or these Pillars for global welfare. The above mentioned inscribed Pillars of Eran throw light on social and cultural life of 'Bundelkhand'.

Eran Stone Inscription of Samudragupta

• (Lines 1 to 6, containing the whole of the first verse and the first half of the second, are entirely broken away and lost.)

• (Line 7.)— ....................................in giving gold ...................................... [by whom] Prithu and Râghava and other kings [were outshone.]

• (L. 9.)— . . . . . . . . . there was Samudragupta, equal to (the gods) Dhanada and Antaka in (respectively) pleasure and anger; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by policy; (and) [by whom] the whole tribe of kings upon the earth was [overthrown] and reduced to the loss of the wealth of their sovereignty;—

• (L. 13.)— [Who], by . . . . . . . . . satisfied by devotion and policy and valour,—by the glories, consisting of the consecration by besprinkling, &c., that belong to the title of 'king,'— (and) by . . . . . . . . . . . combined with supreme satisfaction, — .................. (was) a king whose vigour could not be resisted;—

• (L. 17.)— [By whom] there was married a virtuous and faithful wife, whose dower was provided by (his) manliness and prowess; who was possessed of an abundance of [elephants] and horses and money and grain; who delighted in the houses of .............; (and) who went about in the company of many sons and sons' sons;—

• (L. 21.)— Whose deeds in battle (are) kindled with prowess; (whose) . . . . . . very mighty fame is always circling round about; and whose enemies are terrified, when they think, even in the intervals of dreaming, of (his). . . . . . . that are vigorous in war; —

• (L. 25.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in a place in Airikina, the city of his own enjoyment. . . . . . . . . . . . . has been set up, for the sake of augmenting his own fame.

• (L. 27.) — . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . when the king said . . . . . . .

(The rest of the inscription is entirely broken away and lost.)

• Source: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 20-21.

Eran Stone Pillar Inscription of Budhagupta GE 165 (484-485 CE)

• Victorious is the lord, the four-armed (god Vishnu)— whose couch is the broad waters of the four oceans; who is the cause of the continuance, the production, and the destruction, &c., of the universe; (and) whose ensign is Garuda!

• (Line 2.)— In a century of years, increased by sixty-five; and while Budhagupta (is) king; on the twelfth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month Âshâdha; on the day of Suraguru; (or in figures) the year 100 (and) 60 (and) 5:—

• (L. 3.)— And while Surashmichandra is governing, with the qualities of a regent of one of the quarters of the world, (the country that lies) between the (rivers) Kâlindi and Narmadâ, (and) is enjoying in the world the glory of (being) a Mahârâja;—

• (L. 4.)— On this (lunar day), (specified) as above by the year and month and day; — by the Mahârâja Mâtrivishnu, who is excessively devoted to the Divine One; who, by the will of (the god) Vidhâtri, was approached (in marriage-choice) by the goddess of sovereignty, as if by a maiden choosing (him) of her own accord (to be hey husband); whose fame extends up to the borders of the four oceans; who is possessed of unimpaired honour and wealth; (and) who has been victorious in battle against many enemies;—who is the son of the son's son of Indravishnu, who was attentive to his duties; who celebrated sacrifices; who practised private study (of the scriptures); who was a Brâhman saint; (and) who was the most excellent (of the followers) of the Maitrâyanîya (sâkhâ);— who is the son's son of Varunavishnu, who imitated the virtuous qualities of (his) father;— (and) who is the son of Harivishnu, who was the counterpart of (his) father in meritorious qualities, (and) was the cause of the advancement of his race;—

• (L. 8.)— (By him) and by his younger brother Dhanyavishnu, who is obedient to him, (and) has been accepted with favour by him,— this flag-staff of the divine (god) Janârdana, the troubler of the demons, has been erected, for the purpose of increasing the religious merit of (their) parents.

• (L. 9.)— Let prosperity attend all the subjects, headed by the cows and the Brâhmans!

• From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 90.

Eran Posthumous Stone Pillar Inscription of Goparaja GE 191 (510-511 CE)

• Ôm! In a century of years, increased by ninety-one; on the seventh lunar day of the dark fortnight of (the month) Srâvana; (or in figures) the year 100 (and) 90 (and) 1; (the month) Srâvana; the dark fortnight; the day 7: —

• (Line 2.)—(There was) a king, renowned under the name of . . . . râja, sprung from the . . laksha (?) lineage; and his son (was) that very valorous king (who was known) by the name (of) Mâdhava.

• (L. 3.)— His son was the illustrious Gôparâja, renowned for manliness; the daughter's son of the Sarabha king; who is (even) now (?) the ornament of (his) lineage.

• (L. 5.) — (There is) the glorious Bhanugupta, the bravest man on the earth, a mighty king, equal to Pârtha, exceedingly heroic; and, along with him, Gôparâja followed . . . . . . . . . . (his) friends (and came) here. [And] having fought a very famous battle, he, [who was but little short of being equal to] the celestial [king (Indra)], (died and) went to heaven; and (his) devoted, attached, beloved, and beauteous wife, in close companionship, accompanied (him) onto the funeral pyre.

• From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 93.

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Notes by Wiki editor -

• Lakhi - Here the name of grandfather of Goparaja is missing but his lineage is from Laksha indicates he is probably of Lakhi/Lakhanwal clan which is a Jat Clan. Lakhlan (लाखलान) Lakhilan (लाखीलान) Lakhi (लाखी) is gotra of Jats found in Distt Sikar and Hanumangarh in Rajasthan. Also found in Haryana. This gotra has originated from place called Lakhi Jungle (लाखी जंगल). They were branch of Chauhans.

• Śarbharāja - He was the maternal grandfather of Goparaja, the feudatory chief of king Bhanugupta. Sarabha is the name of a people and also refers to a fabulous animal supposed to have eight legs and to inhabit the snowy mountains; it is represented as stronger than the lion and the elephant. The name may literally mean 'a king of the Sarabha people'. It may also be treated as a name based on an animal. In freedom movement of India we find name of Kartar Singh Sarabha, who led Ghadr Party along with Sardar Ajit Singh.

Eran Stone Pillar Inscription Of Sridharavarman

Being Improved No 119; Plate XCVIII Eran Stone Pillar Inscription Of Sridharavarman

Source - Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1905, p.605-611

[p.605]: This inscription is incised on a small stone pillar , afterwards converted into a Shiva-linga, which stands near the left bank of the Bina River between the ancient town of Eran and the neighbouring village of Pêhêlêjpur, in the Khurai tahsil of the Saugor District in Madhya Pradesh. Another record on the same pillar, viz , the posthumous inscription of Gôparâja, was discovered in 1874-75 by Sir Alexander Cunningham¹, and has been edited by Dr. Fleet in the Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Vol. III, pp. 91 ff. The discovery of the present inscription is due to a fortuitous circumstance. During the inspection tour of 1950-51, Mr. Krishna Dev, Superintendent, Archaeological Department, Central Circle Patna, noticed that the last line of Gôparâja's inscription was concealed by some later accretions to the pitha or ablution-trough of the linga. He got these accretions removed, when the present inscription, which was lying concealed under the pïtha, was disclosed. I came to know of this discovery from a photograph of the record taken by Mr. V P. Rode, Assistant Curator, Central Museum, Nagpur. At my request Dr B. Ch. Chhabra, Government Epigraphist for India, kindly supplied me with excellent inked estampages, from which the inscription is edited here.

The pillar, which is now fully exposed to view, measures about 5' 9" high and 1' 6" in diameter. It is the upper part of a large column which appears to have btoken naturally in falling, as its bottom is irregularly cut. In the introduction to his article on the inscription of Gôparâja, Dr. Fleet has given the following description of the pillar: — "The bottom part is octagonal, and the inscription² is at the top of this octagonal part, on three of the eight faces, each of which is about 7" broad. Above this, the pillar is sixteen sided. Above this, it is again octagonal , and the faces here have the sculptures of men and women, who are probably intended for the Gôparâja of the inscription and his wife and friends,³ the compartment immediately above the centre of the inscription, represents a man and a woman, sitting, who must be Gôparâja and his wife. Above this, the pillar is again sixteen-sided Above this, it is once more octagonal, and on two of the faces here, there are the remains of a quite illegible inscription of four lines, in characters of the same type with those of the inscription now published. Above this, the pillar curves over in sixteen flutes or ribs, into a round top. The pillar was converted into a linga, by fitting an ablution-trough to it , this was attached over the part where the inscription lay ; and it was only by the breaking of it, that the greater part of the inscription was disclosed to view." A new pitha was substituted later below the inscription of Gôparâja. When it was broken and the whole shaft was dug out, the present inscription was brought to view. It is incised on the lowest portion of the shaft, on three of its eight faces, each measuring about 7" broad, on the side opposite to that where the record of Gôparâja is engraved.

The writing, which originally covered a space 1' 9" broad by 1' 5" high, has suffered a good deal. The portion on the right-hand face is almost completely obliterated, only an akshara hère and there being still visible. That on the left-hand and middle faces also has suffered considerably , but most of it can be read with patience and perseverance. The characters are of the western variety of the southern alphabets, closely resembling

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1. CASIR., Vol. X, p 89 2. I e , of Gôparâja

3. The sculptures, which, according to Fleet, represent the friends of Gôparâja, are really those of horsemen. They belong to an earlier age, as shown below

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[p.606]: those of the Kânâkhërâ inscription¹ of Sridharavarman. The size of the letters is about .5 ".....The language is Sanskrit Like the Kânakhërâ inscription, the record begins in prose and is rounded off with a verse at the end. .....

The inscription refers itself to the reign of the Râjan and Mahâkshatrapa Sridharavarman, the son of the Saka Nanda, who was probably described in the lost portion of the record as a devotee of Mahâsëna (Karttikeya). As in the Kânàkhërâ inscription, he is described here as 'dharmavijayin' or a righteous conqueror. The record is dated in the twenty seventh reginal year, expressed both in words and in numerical symbols. The month, fortnight and lunar day were also probably recorded at the end of line 3 as in the Kânàkhërâ inscription, but are now completely obliterated. Unlike the latter record, however, the present inscription does not contain any date of the Kalachuri or any other era, at least in the preserved portion.³

Owing to the unfortunate loss of its one-third portion, the record does not admit of a complete description of its contents , but its object appears to have been twofold:

(1) to record the construction, by a person whose name appears to be Nârayanasvâmin, of a tîrtha or stairs for descent into the river⁴ at the adhishthàna of Erikina in the territorial division Bâhirikâ of the Nagëndra⁵ âhâra for the well-being of the adhishthânah headed by the cows and the Brahmanas as well as for the increase of the religious merit of the person's father and mother, and

(ii) to mention the election of a memorial pillar, called yashti in L. 9, by Satyanaga, the Arakshika and Sënâpati of the, Saka Mahâkshatrapa and Râjan Sridharavarman, at the same adhishthâna for the removal of calamities, the attainment of

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1. Above, No 5

2. The form shishtam L. 9, is, however, against Panini, VI, 4. 34. See Tattvabodhinî on the sutra

3. The record seems to have ended with prajânâm in L. 10 as shown by the large slanting line at the top of m. It may be noted that there is no sign of punctuation foliowing that word though it occurs at the end of a verse. This precludes the View of N G Majumdar that the symbol following the versse in the Kânâkhêrà inscription is a mark of interpunction.

4. The name of the river which must have occurred at the end of line 4 is now lost, but it is conjecturally restored as Venvâ (modem Bînâ). The stone pillar lies only a few yards from the left bank of the Bînâ See also CASIR Vol X, Pl xxiii

5. Bâhirîkâ occurs as the name of a vishaya in No 27, L. 16, above. Perhaps the territorial division was so called because it was an outlying part of the ahâra Bâhirikâ is probably connected With the Prakrit word bâhiriya, which occurs in Jain literature in the sense of 'a suburb'.

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[p.607]: prosperity and the happiness and well-being of ail creatures.¹ Satyanaga appears to be described further as a native of Mahârâshtra and as the chief, apparently, of the Nâgas. The concluding verse expresses the hope that the yashti, enduring unimpaired, would proclaim there the duties of the warlike people, for it was a place where people — friends as well as foes — met together in a spirit of service and reverence.

The Saka king Sridharavarman, the son of the Saka Nanda, is already known from the Kânâkhërâ inscription dated in his thirteenth year , but as he bears only the military title Mahâdandandyaka in that record, he was supposed by some scholars to be a military officer of some other ruler. The present inscription, which mentions the titles Râjan and Mahâkshatrapa in connection with his name, leaves no room for doubt that he was an independent king. Though he bears the title Mahâkshatrapa, he did not probably belong to the house of Chashtana; for, unlike the Western Kshatrapas, he does not date his records in the Saka era

The column on which the present inscription is incised is called a yashyi or a memorial pillar². In its corrupt form lashti, this word occurs in four inscriptions of the reign of the Western Kshatrapa Rudradâman, dated m the Saka year 52 (130 A.C), which were discovered at Andhau in Cutch. Mr R D Banerji, who has edited them in the Epigraphia Indtca³, took yashti (Prakrit latthî) to mean 'a funeral monument'. Another inscription, incised on a narrow stone slab⁴ with a pointed top, which was discovered at Mûlavâsara near Dwârakâ in Saurashtra, mentions that it was a sila-lashti (Sanskrit, shilà-yashti) raised as a memorial to a person who had sacrificed his life for the sake of his friend. The monuments at Andhau and Mûlavâsara were raised by private individuals in memory of their relatives, and are in the form of long narrow slabs. They cannot be taken to be in the standard form of a yashtî. The Sui-Vihara copper-plate inscription, dated in the 11 th reginal year of Kanishka, mentions that a yathi was raised (in memory) of the Bhikshu Nâgadatta. Dr Sten Konow takes yathi in the sense of 'a staff.'⁵ The Sanskrit word yashti is also known to occur in the form vala-yashti in the Bhumara pillar inscription of the Maharajas Hastin and Sarvanâtha ⁶ That record is incised on one of the faces of a small sand-stone pillar. Fleet translated vala-yashti (which he took to be a mistake for valaya-yashti) by 'a boundary pillar'. A similar word, bala-yashti, occurs also in a pillar inscription of Skandagupta, discovered by Dr Chhabra at Supia in the former Rewa State.⁷ The present inscription, which calls the pillar at Ëran yashti, indicates for the first time the standard form of a memorial pillar, as disttiguished from a victory pillar (jaya stambha or rana-stambha) or a flag-staff (dhvaja-stambha).

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1. At the top of the lower octagonal part above the centre of the inscription is engraved the word Râyâ in very bold characters of the same type as those of the present inscription, probably to indicate that the election of the pillar had the sanction of the king

2. Yashti occurs in the Manusmriti, adhyâya IX, v 285, where Mëdhâtithi explains it as dèvàyatanêshu yashtih (a post erected in temples), and Kullûka as yashtih pushkariny-âdau (a post such as stands in tanks etc ) Other commentators explain it as 'a flag-staff erected near villages etc', or as 'the pôle of the Indra-danda. Buhler and Ganganath Jha translated it by 'a pôle'. The Manusmriti, which lays down a fine for the destruction of a yashti , probably uses the word in the sensé of 'a memorial pillar', but this sense of it seems to have been forgotten in course of time.

3. Vol XVI, pp 19 ff

4. For a photograph of the stone slab, see pl facing p 176 in the D R. Bhandarkar Volume. See also Important Inscriptions from the Baroda State, Vol I, pp 1 ff

5. CII, Vol II. Part-1, pp 138 ff.

6. Ibid.Vol III, p 111

7. I owe this information to the kindness of Dr Chhabra. He takes bala-yashti in the sense of 'a stone monument in the shape of a shaft'.

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[p.608]: The pillar at Eran was originally a large one. Supposing that the bottom line of the present inscription which was originally incised on it was at the same height as in the case of the pillar inscription¹ of Budhagupta at the same town, i.e, about 3' 3" above the ground, the total height of the yashti may have been about 9' above the plinth. Its top does not appear to have been tampered with. So a standard yashti seems to have been generally eight- or sixteen-sided, with a round top, but without any capital such as that which generally crowns a jaya-stambha or a dhvaja-stambha. It was generally decorated with panels of warriors or scenes of fighting.

The present pillar was erected by Satyanaga, the Sënàpati of the Saka king Sridharavarman, apparently to commemorate some great battle, fought at Ërikina (modem Ëran), in which several Nâga soldiers had met with a hero's death. This is indicated by the original sculptures carved on it. On each of the three faces of its middle octagonal part on the same side as the present inscription, there is a compartment showing a horseman holding the rems of his horse in the left hand and a sword or a javelin in the right². In the present inscription Satyanâga expresses the hope that the yashti raised by the Nâgas themselves (nàgair=ëva) would inspire future generations of warlike people to perform similar heroic deeds , for, it was a place where friends and foes met in a spirit of service and reverence. This description fits Eran very well. It was the battle-ground of hostile powers for several centuries as shown by several Satï-stones and inscriptions with dates ranging from the fourth to the eighteenth century A. C³ One of the memorable battles fought at Eran was durrig the reign of the Gupta Emperor Bhanugupta in the Gupta year 191 (510-11 A. C). In this battle Gôparâja, 'renowned for manliness', who had accompanied Bhânugupta as his ally, died fighting. His wife immolated herself on his funeral pyre. The event was fittingly commemorated, evidently by the order of the Gupta Emperor, by incising another short inscription on the opposite side of the same yashti, which had been exhorting warlike people to perform such heroic deeds for more than a century. A panel, showing Gôparâja and his wife sitting on a couch, was also sculptured on the face of the pillar immediately above the centre of that inscription⁴ Later, the pillar seems to have fallen down and broken to pieces. As it had a round top, it was found serviceable by some devotee of Siva, who turned it into a Shiva-linga by fitting a pîtha or ablution trough to it. Both the inscriptions on it were concealed from view — that of Satyanâga was on the part buried underground, while the other one, commemorating Gôparàja's death, was hidden by the pïtha. None could, therefore, suspect that the linga was originally a yashti or memorial pillar, notwithstanding the panels carved on it.⁵

As for the geographical names occurring in the present inscription, Mahârâshtra finds epigraphic mention here for the first time. From the Aiholê inscription which is

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1. CII, Vol III, p. 88

2. The inscription is slightly misplaced with reference to the sculptures. If we designate the fades of the pillar as A, B, C and D, the inscription is on the faces A, B and C, while the sculptures of the horsemen are on B, C and D. The sculpture on the face D is slightly damaged by a narrow channel, subsequently cut into the centre of it from the bottom upwards. Four small holes are now seen in the lower part of the channel. In Saurashtra such memorial stones are usually marked with the figure of a horseman D R Bhandarkar Volumes, p 174. They are called pâliyâs in Gujarat and Saurashtia, virakkal in South India and vîrgal in Maharashtra.

3. CASIR, Vol. X, pp. 89 ff.

4. These sculptures are evidently of the Gupta age, as shown by the characteristic coiffure of the male figure. They are, again, much better preserved than the earlier sculptures of horsemen mentioned above

5. The third inscription near the top of the pillâr, which is now illegible, may hâve been purposely defaced when the pillar was converted into a Siva-linga.

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[p.609]: neatly three centuries later, we know of three Mahârâsthtras, consisting of 99000 villages. They evidently comprised the present Northern and Southern Mahârashtras and the Marathi-speaking parts of the States of Madhya Pradesh and Hyderabad. All this territory was generally grouped under the single comprehensive name of Maharâshtra mentioned in the Epics, Purânas and other works of Sanskrit literature, Satyanâga seems to hâve taken pride in mentioning his Maharâshtra origin. Êrikina is modern Eran. The placename occurs as Erakana (i e , Erikina, with the vowels restored) on the coins published by Cunningham¹ and as Erakina in an inscription on the Sânchî Stûpa². Later, the name occurs in the form Arrikina in the Eran inscriptions of Samudragupta and Tôramâna. The adhishthâna of Erikina was included in the territorial division Bâhirikâ in the âhâra of Nagëndra. Both these names are otherwise unknown³.

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^{1. Cunningham's eye-copy of the legend on one of the coins clearly reads Ërakana, but that of the legend on the other as Erakanya. Allan also reads the latter legend similarly, but the reading is probably incorrect. The superscript letter does not appear like n. Besides, if there had been a subscript y, it would have appeared much lower, and not in a line with the other aksharas. The last letter, therefore, appears to be in as on the other coin. It is noteworthy that the place-name occurs as Erakina in a Sânchï Stûpa inscription.}

2. Ep.Ind. Vol II, p. 375.

3. Bâhirkâ, of course, occurs as the name of a vishaya in distant Gujarat as stated above See p 606, n 5, above

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Eran Stone Pillar Inscription Of Sridharavarman.p.609

Eran Stone Pillar Inscription Of Sridharavarman.p.610

Translation [p.610]

Success ! In the victorious twenty-seventh — 20 (and) 7 — year, augmenting [his dominion for a thousand years] of the Rajan (राज्ञ) (and) Mahakshatrapa Shridharavarman (श्रीधरवर्मण ), the son of the Saka Nanda (शक नन्द) — the righteous conqueror,¹¹ who has obtained abundant fame by means of victorious won by bis valour, [who meditates on the feet of the divine Mahasena whose army has never been vanquished^12] on this day (namely)

¹³ in the adhishthâna (अधिष्ठाण) (town) of Erikina (ऐरिकिण) in (the territorial division of) Bahirika (बाहिरिका) in this âhâra of Nagendra (नागेन्द्र), a tirtha (î,e., a flight of steps)[at the river Vênvâ][has been caused

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11. Kautilya speaks of three types of kings: (i) dharmaijain or a righteous conqueror, (ii) asurarijayin or a devilish conqueror and (iii) lôbhavijayin or an avaricious conqueror. . Irîbasâstra, adhikarana xii, i Kâlidâsa describes Raghu as dharmavijajin Raghumansa, canto iv, v. 43 Here as well as in the Kânâkhërâ inscription Shridharavarman claims to be a righteous conqueror.

12. The portion in the rectangular bracketes in this and other places is the translation of the expressions restored conjecturally in the foot-notes to the text. See above, p. 609. n 6, cf L 1 of No. 5,

13. The portion lost at the end of line 5 probably mentioned the month, fortnight and tithî of the event as in L 3 of No 5, above.

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[p.611]

to be constructed]¹ with devotion by [Nârâ]yanasvâmin (नारायण स्वामिन) for the well-being of the adhîshthàna headed by the cows and the Brâhmanas, (and) for the increase [of the religious merit of his mother and father]

(Line 6) [At the same adhîshthàna in his own bhôga there has been erected this yashti² by Satyanâga (सत्यनाग) , the Senâpati and Arakshika (आरक्षिक)³ of the King, who is a native of Mahârâshtra and is the foremost of ⁴ , for the removal of calamities, for the attainment

of prosperity and for the happiness and well-being of ail creatures

(L 8) Moreover —

While (our) King is ruling over the wide earth . may (this) yashtî,

(raised) by the Nâgas (नाग) themselves, remaining unimpaired, proclaim by its form the duty of the warlike people . , for this is the (meeting) place of (all) people— friends as

well as foes — in (a spirit of) service and reverence !

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1. The missing words at the end of line 4 probably contained the ancient name (Vênvâ ?) of the river Bïnâ, on the left bank of which this tïrtha or ghât was constructed. According to the Markandêya Purâna (adhyâya 57, v 19), the Vênvâ takes its rise in the Pâriyâtra mountain

2 Yashti is a memorial pillar erected to commemorate some notable event or the death of a person See above, p. 607.

3. This technical official title occurs in the form Arakshaka in the Arthashastra of Kautilya. (adhikarana vii, adhyâya 17) apparently in the sense of 'the Chief of policemen (ârakshin)'. The Dashakumâracharita (Bombay Sanskrit Séries ed , p. 58) uses ârakshika in the sensé of 'a policeman' Since the title is borne hère by Satyanâga who was a high military officer, it is evidently used hère in the sensé of the Head of the Police'

4. The portion lost hère may hâve described Satyanâga as 'the foremost of the Nâgas who hailed from Mahârâsh$ra'.

एरकिण

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ...एरकिण = एरण (p.111): एरण गुप्तकाल में एक महत्त्वपूर्ण नगर था। एरण का प्राचीन नाम एरकिण था। यहाँ से गुप्तकाल के अनेक अभिलेख प्राप्त हुये है। गुप्त सम्राट समुद्रगुप्त के एक शिलालेख में एरण को 'एरकिण' कहा गया है। इस अभिलेख को कनिंघम ने खोजा था। यह वर्तमान में कोलकाता संग्रहालय में सुरक्षित है। यह भग्नावस्था में हैं। फिर भी जितना बचा है, उससे समुद्रगुप्त के बारे में काफ़ी जानकारी प्राप्त होती है। (देखें: एरण)

एरण मध्य प्रदेश

एरण मध्य प्रदेश के सागर ज़िले में विदिशा के निकट बेतवा नदी के किनारे विन्ध्याचल पर्वतमालाओं के उत्तर में एक पठार पर स्थित एक वैष्णव क्षेत्र है, जो मंदिरों की एक महान् श्रंखला के रूप में जाना जाता है। इस स्थल पर चार सांस्कृतिक स्तर मिले हैं। प्रथम ताम्राश्मीय कालीन, द्वितीय लौहयुगीन तथा अन्य दो परवर्ती हैं। यहाँ से पंचमार्क सिक्कों के भारी भण्डार मिले हैं।

इतिहास: एरण गुप्तकाल में एक महत्त्वपूर्ण नगर था। यहाँ से गुप्तकाल के अनेक अभिलेख प्राप्त हुये है। गुप्त सम्राट समुद्रगुप्त के एक शिलालेख (402 ई.) में एरण को 'एरकिण' कहा गया है। इस अभिलेख को कनिंघम ने खोजा था। यह वर्तमान में कोलकाता संग्रहालय में सुरक्षित है। यह भग्नावस्था में हैं। फिर भी जितना बचा है, उससे समुद्रगुप्त के बारे में काफ़ी जानकारी प्राप्त होती है। इसमें समुद्रगुप्त की वीरता, सम्पत्ति-भण्डार, पुत्र-पौत्रों सहित यात्राओं पर उसकी वीरोचित धाक का विशद वर्णन है। यह भी उल्लेख है कि समुद्रगुप्त ने यह लेख अपनी यशोवृद्धि के लिए अंकित किया था.

यहाँ गुप्त सम्राट बुद्धगुप्त का भी अभिलेख (485 ई.) प्राप्त हुआ है। इससे ज्ञात होता है, कि पूर्वी मालवा भी उसके साम्राज्य में शामिल था। इसमें कहा गया है कि बुद्धगुप्त की अधीनता में यमुना और नर्मदा नदी के बीच के प्रदेश में 'महाराज सुरश्मिचन्द्र' शासन कर रहा था। एरण प्रदेश में उसकी अधीनता में मातृविष्णु शासन कर रहा था। यह लेख एक स्तम्भ पर ख़ुदा हुआ है, जिसे ध्वजास्तम्भ कहते हैं। इसका निर्माण महाराज मातृविष्णु तथा उसके छोटे भाई धन्यविष्णु ने करवाया था। यह आज भी अपने स्थान पर अक्षुण्ण है। यह स्तम्भ 43 फुट ऊँचा और 13 फुट वर्गाकार आधार पर खड़ा किया गया है। इसके ऊपर 5 फुट ऊँची गरुड़ की दोरुखी मूर्ति है, जिसके पीछे चक्र का अंकन है।

सती अभिलेख: एरण से एक अन्य अभिलेख प्राप्त हुआ है, जो 510 ई. का है। इसे 'भानुगुप्त का अभिलेख' कहते हैं। अनुमान है कि भानुगुप्त राजवंश से सम्बन्धित था। यह लेख महाराज भानुगुप्त के अमात्य गोपराज के विषय में जो उस स्थान पर भानुगुप्त के साथ सम्भवतः किसी युद्ध में आया था और वीरगति को प्राप्त हुआ था। गोपराज की पत्नी यहाँ सती हो गई थी। इस अभिलेख को एरण का सती अभिलेख भी कहा जाता है। एरण से प्राप्त एक वराह मूर्ति के अभिलेख में हूण शासक तोरमाण और उसके प्रथम वर्ष का उल्लेख है। इसमें दिवंगत महाराज मातृविष्णु के छोटे भाई धन्यविष्णु द्वारा वराह विष्णु के निमित्त मन्दिर निर्माण करवाने का उल्लेख है।

सती प्रथा का प्रथम अभिलेखीय प्रमाण गुप्तकाल में मिलता है. 510 ई. के एक लेख से पता चलता है कि गुप्त नरेश भानुगुप्त का सामन्त गोपराज हूणों के विरुद्ध युद्ध करता हुआ मारा गया और उसकी पत्नी उसके शव के साथ सती हो गई थी।

श्री भानुगुप्तो जगति प्रवीरो, राजा महान्पार्थसमोडति शूरः।

तेनाथ सार्द्धन्त्विह गोपराजो, मित्रानुगत्येन किलानुयातःड्ड

कृत्वा च युद्ध सुमहत्प्रकाशं, स्वर्ग गतो दिव्य नरेन्द्रकल्पःड्ड

भक्तानुरक्ता च प्रिया च कान्ता, भार्यावलग्नानुगताग्निराशिम्ड्ड

(ऐरण अभिलेख)

एरकिण गुप्तकाल में अवश्य ही महत्वपूर्ण नगर रहा होगा। इसको एक लेख में स्वभोगनगर भी कहा गया है। यह नाम शायद समुद्रगुप्त ने एरण को दिया था। स्थानीय जनश्रुति के अनुसार इस स्थान पर महाभारत काल में विराटनगर की स्थिति थी। आज भी अनेक प्राचीन खंडहर यहां बिखरे पड़े हैं। पिछले वर्षों में सागर विश्वविद्यालय ने यहां उत्खनन द्वारा अनेक महत्वपूर्ण ऐतिहासिक तथ्यों का उद्घाटन किया है।

वास्तुशिल्प

एरण में गुप्तकालीन नृसिंह मन्दिर, वराह मन्दिर तथा विष्णु मन्दिर पाये गये हैं। ये सब अब ध्वस्त अवस्था में हैं। एरण के मन्दिरों में उत्कीर्ण मूर्तिकला गुप्त काल के दौरान विकसित की गयी थी। एरण में मिले अभिलेख, समुद्रगुप्त के शासनकाल से लेकर छठी शताब्दी के प्रारंभ में हूण आक्रमण के समय की कलात्मक गतिविधियों के दस्तावेज है। यहाँ मिली वाराह की वृहद् मूर्ति पांचवी शताब्दी के प्रारंभ में एरण व उदयगिरि के मध्य कलात्मक विकास व मूर्तिकला के परस्पर संबंधों को दर्शाती है। जिसमें देवी-देवताओं की शक्ति को पूरी तरह से शरीर के भाव और उसकी भंगिमा द्वारा प्रदर्शित किया गया है।

सागर जिले के ऐरण नामक स्थान में वाराह, विष्णु तथा नरसिंह मन्दिर स्थित हुए। भू विन्यास में वाराह मन्दिर का गर्भ गृह एक मण्डप से युक्त था। छत सपाट रही होगी। विष्णु मन्दिर चार ऊँचे स्तम्भों पर आश्रित है, इसमें गंगा और यमुना को गर्भगृह द्वार में दिखाया गया है। नरसिंह मन्दिर भी भग्नावस्था में है।

गुप्तयुगीन मूर्तियां सीमित मात्रा में प्राप्त हैं। इस युग की मूर्तियों में प्राचीनतम् रामकथा के दृश्य तथा शिवगणों की सुन्दर मूर्तियों नचना कुठार -- पन्ना -- में प्राप्त हुई हैं। विष्णु, नृवाराह तथा पशुवाराह की गुप्तयुगीन मूर्तिया ऐरण में मिली हैं। देवगढ़ से शेषशायी विष्णु, नर-नारायण, गजेन्द्र मोक्ष तथा राम और रामायण कथाओं के गुप्त युगीन सुन्दर अंकन मिले हैं। इन मूर्तियों में संतुलित शरीर सौष्ठव, सुन्दर केश विन्यास, झीनें वस्र सूक्ष्म अलंकरण तथा गतिशीलता के दर्शन होते हैं।

ऐरण की गुप्तयुगीन विष्णु प्रतिमा में गोलाकार प्रभा मण्डल, शैल के विकसित स्वरुप का प्रतीक है।

समुद्रगुप्त के ऐरण अभिलेख में लिखा हुआ है : ‘‘स्वभोग नगर ऐरिकरण प्रदेश...,’’

वाकाटकों का बनवाया हुआ मडखेडा में सूर्य मंदिर दर्शनीय है। वाकाटक, गुप्त और नाग राजा समकालीन थे। गुप्त सम्राट समुद्र गुप्त ने नागों की सत्ता को विखंटित कर स्वयं इस क्षेत्र को अपने आधीन कर लिया था। और वैष्ठव धर्म, संस्कृति का प्रचार किया था। बीना नदी के किनारे ऐरण में कुवेर नागा की पुत्री प्रभावती गुप्ता रहा करती थी जिसके समय काव्य, स्तंभ, वाराह और विष्णु की मूर्तिया दर्शनीय है। इसकी समय पन्ना नागौद क्षेत्र में उच्छकल्प जाति कें क्षत्रियों का शासन स्थापित हुआ था जबकि जबलपुर परिक्षेत्र में खपरिका सागर और जालौन क्षेत्र में दांगी राज्य बन गये थे। जिनकी राजधानी गड़पैरा थी दक्षिणी पश्चिमी झांसी–ग्वालियर के अमीर वर्ग के अहीरों की सत्ता थी तो धसान क्षेत्र के परिक्षेत्र में मांदेले प्रभावशाली हो गये थे।

External links

• Characterization of ancient Indian iron from Eran
• Indian Epigraphy By D. C. Sircar

Foot Notes

वन एवं जल से रहित (उषर या रेगिस्तान क्षेत्र में स्थित) दुर्ग को इरिण दुर्ग कहते हैं.