3.4. Inscriptional Records and Family Connections

On the right-hand side in the photograph, you can see some small text which has been written in either Pali or and this is saying that the pillar is the donation of Mitadeva which is a Mitradeva of the Gadhika family, a resident of Patithana which is Pratishthana the modern Python.

This chunk introduces us to the idea that inscriptions found in historical sites provide valuable insights into the past. Specifically, the mention of Mitadeva’s inscription indicates that the pillar was donated by a person from the Gadhika family. The inscription includes not only the donor's name but also gives a geographical context by identifying Patithana as modern-day Pratishthana, which helps us understand where these families lived.

Think of inscriptions like old family albums. Just as an album can tell us who our relatives are, where they lived, and what they did, historical inscriptions tell archaeologists and historians about the people of the past and their connections.

So, all this process has been become a very rich evidence to know that what kind of families used to live around, how they are connected, what kind of time they were talking about and like that if you look at the phases, we find nearly 5 phases of inscriptional records at the Pitalkhora.

This chunk emphasizes the importance of inscriptions in revealing social networks and family connections. It explains how studying these inscriptions allows researchers to understand not only the families that existed in that period but also their community interactions over time. The mention of five phases of inscriptional records indicates that these records were not static; they evolved, reflecting changes in society and governance.

Imagine a large family tree that includes branches showing how different family members are related through marriages, births, and other connections. Similarly, the inscriptions create a historical family tree, showcasing relationships and connections among various families from different eras.

One is the Mitadeva and Sanghakasa, Rajavejasa family, Dhenukakataka and Bhutarakhita and whereas phase IV it talks about Nun and Kanhadasa and phase V Avesena.

This chunk lists several families documented in the inscriptions at the Pitalkhora site. By identifying families like Mitadeva, Sanghakasa, and others, researchers can piece together who was influential in that region during different phases of history. Each family name represents a different social or political influence, reflecting varied interactions and relationships within the community.

Consider a modern city council where different families represent different neighborhoods. As city decisions are influenced by these families, understanding who they are and their backgrounds helps us see how community dynamics function. Historical inscriptions work similarly, illustrating past community leadership and influence.

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