This significant record reported from Akshi, Maharashtra, is engraved on a stone slab featuring the maṅgala-kalaśa along with sun and moon symbols on the top and the imprecatory ass-curse relief on the bottom.
The record, composed in Marathi language influenced by Sanskrit, is engraved in Nāgarī script. It refers to the reign of Keśīdeva II, who is adorned with titles such as the “Lord of the Western Sea” (paśchimasamudrādhipati) and “Emperor of Konkan” (koṅkaṇachakravartī). Dated to the Śaka 1131 (1209 CE), the record commemorates public works performed by mahāpradhāna Bhairju and pradhāna Adhora in honor of the goddess Mahālakṣmī.
1. jagīṃ sukha aso | svasti oṃ paścimasa-
2. mudrādhīpatī | śrīkoṅkaṇacakra-
3. vartī | śrīkeśīdevarāya mahāpradhā-
4. na bha-irju senaḥ tasmin kāle
5. pravartamāne | śakasaṃvat 1131 vabha-
6. vā saṃvatsare a kaḍī dharmukā bai-
7. lu | bha-irjjuva tathā boḍadma tabhana u-
8. karalī | adhora pradhānu | mahālaṣu-
9. mīcī paḍī kaluna pokaralī |
Hail! Om! While Bhairju is an officer and mahāpradhāna of the illustrious Keśideva, who bears the titles Paścimasamudrādhipati and Koṅkaṇa-cakravartī—at such a time in the śaka year 1131, the cyclic year being Vibhava, Bhairju dug…….and Adhora, who is a Pradhāna of the same king, excavated . . . .in honour of Mahālakṣmī. May the world be happy!
Glossary
Akṣī – Village in modern Raigad District, site of the inscription.
Koṅkaṇa-cakravartin – Title of the Śilāhāra rulers, meaning “sovereign of Koṅkaṇa.”
Mahālakṣmī – Goddess worshipped; the excavation or donation is dedicated to her.
Mahāpradhāna – Chief minister, a high-ranking administrative officer.
Paścimasamudrādhipati – Royal title meaning “Lord of the Western Ocean.”
Pradhāna – Minister or local officer; here Adhora, who excavated in honour of Mahālakṣmī.
| Dynasty: | Śilāhāra |
| Ruler: | Keśideva II |
| Date: | 1209 CE (Cyclic year Vibhava, Śaka year 1131) |
| Place: | Akshi (Alibaug, Maharashtra) |
| Language: | Marathi influenced by Sanskrit |
| Deities: | Mahālakṣmī |
| Nature of grant: | Religious endowment |
| Purpose: | In honour of goddess Mahālakṣmī and for public welfare |
| Provenance of inscription: | Akshi (modern Alibaug), Maharashtra |
| Type of Inscription: | Stone Inscription, Gadhegal, Ass-curse stone inscription |
| Source: |
Bibliography & Research
- Altekar, A. S. (1936). The Śilāhāras of Western India. In: Bhandakar (Ed.). Indian Culture, 2, pp 393-434, here pp 416.
- Mirashi, V. V. (Ed.). (1977). Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Vol. VI: Inscriptions of the Śilāhāras. Archaeological Survey of India, pp xx and 167-168.
- Mone N. T, Panandikar S. G, Mirashi V. V, Katre S. M, Karandikar S.L, Joshi P. M, Setu Madhava Rao P (Ed). (1964). Chapter 2 History. In Kolaba District Gazaetteer (pp. 67-72). Government Press.
