‘પ્રત્યક્ષ’ પત્રસેતુ/‘ભગવાનલાલ ઇન્દ્રજી’ની સમીક્ષા વિશે : વી. બી. ગણાત્રા
વી. બી. ગણાત્રા
[સંદર્ભ : જુલાઈ-સપ્ટે. ૨૦૧૨, ‘ભગવાનલાલ ઇન્દ્રજી’ની સમીક્ષા, નરોત્તમ પલાણ]
Dear Ramanbhai I have just noticed Pratyaksha: July-September, ૨૦૧૨. Very many thanks. I have have immensely enjoyed the superb review by Sri Narottam Palan, my favourite subject. I have more then one hundred tomes on ancient history and archaeology at Mumbai and Pune, and also the tome "Vanaspatishatra", ૧૯૧૦ by Sri Jayakrishna Indraji Thakar of Lakhpat, Kutch, a chela of Bhagvanlal Indraji. At page ૭, Sri Palan says that Emperor Asoka’s three stone inscriptions are in Brahma(Brahmi) script in Prakruta and Devanagari Sanskrit. No stone or Stambha inscription of Asoka is in Sankrit. In eastern and western India, the inscriptions are in Brahmi script and in eastern India are in eastern Maghadhi dialect and in western India in Western Maghdhi Dialect, with a Prof. Radhakumud Mookerji, third revised edition, reprint, ૧૯૭૨, page ૨૪૭ with Plate XV, Asokan Alphabat facing p. ૨૪૬. What Sri Palan, who is an authority, has to say? Sri Palan also has referred to the in-scription of Rudradama of ૧૫૦ A.D. on Girnar rock, by the side of Asoka’s ૧૪ insciptions. It is of Saka Era year ૭૨ in poetic Sanskrit, a grandiose Prasasti., the First major inscription in Sandkrit. Saka Era is founded by Kushan Emperor Kanishka in ૭૮ A. D. as proclaimed in his Rabatak inscription, in northern Afghanistan, in Greek script and Bactrrian language. ૭૮ plus ૭૨ equals ૧૫૦ A. D. Saka Era is officially recognized by the Government of India. I have got this inscription and the ample literature. It is available online. The history of Kushans is revolutionized by the ample research in last four decades and the history books published prior to ૨૦૦૦ are out of date. Some four decades back, I have explored Vidisha and Sanchi area with the speed of the proverbial snail thrice and I have witnessed Heliodorus pillar, locally known as Babaka khambha in the midst of a field. It is of first century A. D., uncared for. It is surprising that it is not pilfered. Please pass on this email to Sri Palan. His response is awaited. With warmest regards to all of you and Sri Palan.
New York, ૫-૧૦-૨૦૧૨
- V. B. Ganatra
[ઑક્ટો.-ડિસે. ૨૦૧૨, પૃ. ૫૯]