Sanskrit Inscriptions in Sri Lanka

A small number (20 or more) of Sanskrit inscriptions have been found in Sri Lanka (Dhammaratana, 2000). However, there is a significant number of inscriptions written in other languages (such as Sinhala and Tamil) with some portions of Sanskrit prose or verses. Devanagari, Pallava Grantha and Sinhala are the common scripts used in these inscriptions (Dhammaratana, 2000).

Scholars have dated these inscriptions to the period between the 5th-13th centuries A.D. (Dhammaratana, 2000). 

The list of Sanskrit inscriptions

This is an incomplete list prepared by "Lanka Pradeepa".

 

No.	Inscription	Remarks	References
1	Kuchchaveli Inscription (Trincomalee District)	The script is unique (similar to early-Grantha script) 5-8th century A.D.	Paranavitana, 1933; Dhammaratana, 2000
2	Trikayastava inscription (Anuradhapura District)	Pallava Grantha script 7-8th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000
3/4	Tiriyaya Inscriptions (Trincomalee District)	Pallava Grantha script 7-8th century A.D.	Paranavitana, 1934; Dhammaratana, 2000
5	Jetavanarama Gold Plates (Anuradhapura District)	Sinhala script of the Pallava Grantha type 9th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000
6	Indikatuseya Copper Plaques (Anuradhapura District)	Sinhala script 8-9th century A.D.	Paranavitana, 1933; Dhammaratana, 2000
7	A verse from Sigiri graffiti (Matale District)	Pallava Grantha script 8-10th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000
8	Jetavanarama slab inscription (Anuradhapura District)	A variety of Magadha Nagari script 9th century A.D.	Wickremasinghe, 1912; Dhammaratana, 2000
9	Anuradhapura copper plaques (Anuradhapura District)	Devanagari script 9th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000
10	Indikatuseya Gold Sheet (Anuradhapura District)	Sinhala and Devanagari scripts 9th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000;
11	Rajagirilenakanda Inscription (Anuradhapura District)	Devanagari script 9th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000
12	Vijayarama Copper Plaques (Anuradhapura District)	Sinhala script 9th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000
13	Abhayagiri Dharanis (Anuradhapura District)	North-eastern Nagari, Sinhala scripts 9-10th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000
14	Pabalu Vehera Copper Plaques (Polonnaruwa District)	Sinhala script 9-10th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000
15	Jetavanarama copper plaques (Anuradhapura District)	Devanagari script 10th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000; Paranavitana, 1933
16	Kapararama Slab Inscription (Anuradhapura District)	Grantha and Sinhala scripts 10th century A.D.	Ranawella, 2004; Dhammaratana, 2000
17	Trincomalee fragmentary inscription (Anuradhapura District)	Pallava Grantha 12th century A.D.	Dhammaratana, 2000
18	Anaulundava slab inscription (Polonnaruwa District)	Sinhala script 12-13th century A.D.	Wickremasinghe, 1928; Dhammaratana, 2000
19	Padaviya rock inscription (Trincomalee District)	Pallava Grantha script 13th century A.D.	Pathmanathan, 1975; Dhammaratana, 2000
20	Diyagampala inscription (Gampaha District)	?? ??	??

See also

#) Arabic Inscriptions in Sri Lanka

#) Tamil Inscriptions in Sri Lanka

References

1) Dhammaratana, I., 2000. Sanskrit Inscriptions in Sri Lanka: A thesis submitted to the University of Pune in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sanskrit. Department of Sanskrit & Prakrit Languages, University of Pune, India. pp.172-445,510,519.

2) Paranavitana, S., 1933. (Edited and translated by Wickremasinghe, D.M.D.Z.; Codrington, H.W.) A note on the Abhayagiri copper plate inscription. Epigraphia Zeylanica: Being lithic and other inscriptions of Ceylon: Vol. III. Printed at the Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) for the Archeological Department. pp.158-161,169-171,199-212.

3) Paranavitana, S., 1934. (Edited and translated by Codrington, H.W.; Paranavitana, S.) Tiriyay rock-inscription. Epigraphia Zeylanica: Being lithic and other inscriptions of Ceylon: Vol. IV. Archaeological Survey of Ceylon. pp.151-160. 

4) Pathmanathan, S., 1975. The Velaikkara inscription at Padaviya. சுவாமி ஞானப்பிரகாசர் நூற்றாண்டு மலர். pp.25-29,80-81.

5) Ranawella, G.S., 2004. Inscription of Ceylon: Containing pillar inscriptions and slab inscriptions from 924 AD to 1017. Volume V, Part II. Department of Archaeology. pp.286-287.

6) Wickremasinghe, D.M.D.Z., 1912. Epigraphia Zeylanica: Being lithic and other inscription of Ceylon: Vol. I. London. Archaeological Survey of Ceylon. pp.1-9,39-40.

7) Wickremasinghe, D. M. D. Z., 1928. Epigraphia Zeylanica: Being lithic and other inscriptions of Ceylon: Vol, II. Published for the government of Ceylon by Humphrey Milford. pp.235-237.

This page was last updated on 7 November 2022