Question

differentiate between Prayag prashasti and Ashokan pillar​

Answer 1

Answer:

The Allahabad pillar is a Stambha, containing one of the Pillars edicts of Ashoka, possibly erected by Ashoka, Emperor of the Maurya dynasty, who reigned in the 3rd century BCE or it may have prior origins. While it is one of the few extant pillars that carry Ashokan edicts,[3] it is particularly notable for containing later inscriptions attributed to the Gupta emperor Samudragupta (4th century CE).[4] Also engraved on the stone are inscriptions by the Mughal emperor Jahangir, from the 17th century.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Prayag means a meeting place for something or someone. Prayag is an ancient name of Allahabad as it is the meeting place or ‘Sangam’ of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Sarasvati. Prashasti means “in praise of someone” and is a eulogy.

Prayag Prashasti is the name given to the Allahabad Pillar. It is an Ashokan Stambh but has 4 different inscriptions.

1: The usual Ashokan inscriptions in Brahmi script as is in all pillars

2: The Queen’s edict regaling the charitable deeds of Ashoka’s wife Karuvaki

3: Samudragupta’s( 335AD – 375 AD) inscriptions written by Harisena in Sanskrit language and Brahmi script.

4: Jahangir’s inscriptions in Persian.

The pillar was originally in Kausambhi and was later moved to Allahabad by some Muslim ruler.