The Vidarbha region holds a wealth of epigraphic evidence that offers precise insights into its political, cultural, and administrative history.

These inscriptions, carved in stone or impressed on clay, are irreplaceable records that anchor historical narratives to verifiable dates and events. Each discovery has been studied by archaeologists and epigraphists, providing clear links between ancient polities, their rulers, and the geography of their influence.

The locations of these finds vary from temple walls to excavated fortifications, reflecting the wide distribution of historical activity across the region.

They span a timeline from the Mauryan era to the later Gupta–Vakataka period, offering a chronological framework for Vidarbha’s ancient past. Together, these inscriptions form a factual record that connects material culture with political authority.

1. Deotek Inscription – The Oldest Epigraphic Record from Vidarbha

The Deotek inscription, discovered in Chandrapur district, is widely regarded as the earliest known inscription from Vidarbha. It belongs to the Mauryan period and is written in early Brahmi script, using the Prakrit language. Scholars attribute its origin to the reign of Emperor Ashoka, and the text is credited to a Mahāmatra, one of Ashoka’s high officials responsible for implementing his policies. The inscription was found on a stone slab and is currently housed in the Central Museum at Nagpur, where it has been preserved for public and academic study. It is one of the few surviving examples in the region that directly reflects the administrative presence of the Mauryan state.

Linguistic and palaeographic analysis confirms its dating to the third century BCE, making it a crucial anchor point for understanding the earliest phases of written communication in the region. This find not only documents the political reach of the Mauryan Empire but also stands as tangible evidence of the spread of the Brahmi script in central India during Ashoka’s rule.

2. Ramtek Kevala Narasimha Temple Inscription – A Vākāṭaka Record in Sanskrit

At Ramtek, in Nagpur district, an important Sanskrit inscription is preserved on the walls of the Kevala Narasimha temple. The text, comprising fifteen lines, is engraved in the later Brahmi script of the Gupta period and has been studied extensively by epigraphists, including Hans T. Bakker and Harunaga Isaacson. Dated to the fifth century CE, it records the genealogy of the Vākāṭaka rulers and details the construction of the temple dedicated to the deity Narasimha. The inscription provides explicit names of kings and their lineage, making it a primary source for reconstructing the Vakataka dynasty’s history. The language follows classical Sanskrit poetic conventions, with careful metrical composition that aligns with the epigraphic style of the period.

Its findspot on the temple itself suggests that it served both as a public record of royal patronage and a religious dedication. This inscription is vital for linking the physical structure of the temple to historical figures whose political influence shaped the region’s culture.

3. Pauni Pillar Inscription – The Mahākṣatrapa Rupiamma Record

The Pauni pillar inscription, located in Bhandara district, dates to the second century CE and bears the name of Mahākṣatrapa Kumāra Rupiamma. This memorial pillar has been interpreted as marking the southern extent of Western Kṣatrapa authority, though some researchers have proposed connections to the Kushans. The text is concise but significant, as it places a documented ruler’s influence far south of the Western Kṣatrapas’ established strongholds. Excavations at Pauni have revealed other ancient structures and artefacts, situating the pillar within a wider archaeological landscape that was an important settlement and religious centre. The presence of this inscription aligns with numismatic evidence of political control and trade connections across central India during this period.

Its physical form, a free-standing stone pillar, indicates its role as a public statement of authority. This find has been repeatedly cited in scholarly discussions about the shifting boundaries of political power in the early centuries CE.

4. Hisse-Borala Inscription – A Chronological Anchor for the Western Vakatakas

Near Washim, in the ancient city known as Vatsagulma, lies the Hisse-Borala inscription. This Vakataka record is dated to Saka year 380, which corresponds to 457–458 CE. It is attributed to King Devasena of the Western Vākāṭaka branch and is of particular value because it offers a precise and verifiable date for the dynasty’s activities. Written in Sanskrit and engraved in the Brahmi script of the period, the inscription was discovered on stone and is considered one of the most important epigraphic sources for correlating historical events with a fixed calendar year. The details in the text confirm the extent of Vakataka political influence and provide context for other historical developments of the fifth century, including connections to the Ajanta cave patronage.

It stands out among regional inscriptions for its explicit chronological data, which allows historians to align Vakataka rule with wider Indian historical timelines. Its location further confirms Vātsagulma’s role as a significant administrative and cultural centre of the period.

5. Nagardhan Sealings – Evidence of Gupta–Vakataka Relations

Nagardhan, identified with the ancient city of Nandivardhana near Nagpur, has been a rich archaeological site yielding material from multiple historical phases. Excavations since 2015 have uncovered clay sealings bearing the name and titles of Queen Prabhāvatīgupta, daughter of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II and widow of the Vakataka ruler Rudrasena II. These sealings, inscribed in Brahmi script and often stamped with a conch motif associated with the Guptas, provide direct material evidence of the Gupta–Vakataka alliance. The sealings confirm that Prabhāvatīgupta exercised political authority in the region, serving as regent for her minor sons.

Their discovery at Nagardhan underscores the site’s importance as a political centre and links it to the administration of both Gupta and Vakataka powers. The artefacts are currently part of scholarly study and have been recognised for their contribution to understanding the political and dynastic relationships of the early fifth century. The precision of the inscriptions on these sealings offers insight into royal titulature and official documentation practices of the time.

These five inscriptions represent verifiable and datable records that chart the historical contours of Vidarbha across more than seven centuries. Each one connects a specific location to a documented political authority, from the Mauryan administration to the intertwined Gupta and Vakataka dynasties. Their content, language, and script provide researchers with direct evidence for reconstructing regional history without reliance on later literary traditions.

The geographic spread of these finds also reflects the diversity of centres that once held political and religious significance in the region. By examining these inscriptions, it is possible to form a precise, material-based understanding of how Vidarbha’s political and cultural structures evolved over time. Continued study and preservation of such records will further refine the chronological and geographical mapping of the region’s past.