Hyderabad: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)’s epigraphy division has decoded a Jain Tirthankara inscription on a bronze statue recently brought back from the United States (US).
ASI epigraphy wing head K Munirathnam Reddy said, “The inscription is engraved on the backside of the bronze image of Tirthankara recently brought back from the US. It is written in Sanskrit and Nagari characters, dated 26 April 1523 CE.It records the gift of an image of Sitalanatha Tirthankara by Sao Palha along with his family members (names mentioned) of Thakura gotra and Usavala Jnati for their merit. It mentions the installation of the image by a pontiff, Bhattaraka Sri Sidhasuri.”
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, the American side facilitated the return of 297 antiquities that were stolen or trafficked from India. On Sept 21, the US returned them.
ASI epigraphy wing head K Munirathnam Reddy said, “The inscription is engraved on the backside of the bronze image of Tirthankara recently brought back from the US. It is written in Sanskrit and Nagari characters, dated 26 April 1523 CE.It records the gift of an image of Sitalanatha Tirthankara by Sao Palha along with his family members (names mentioned) of Thakura gotra and Usavala Jnati for their merit. It mentions the installation of the image by a pontiff, Bhattaraka Sri Sidhasuri.”
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, the American side facilitated the return of 297 antiquities that were stolen or trafficked from India. On Sept 21, the US returned them.
