42-1

This inscription is engraved on a pillar discovered at Site No. 59. It is stated in it that the pillar in question was the chhаyа-stambha of a person named Mуlabhуta (or -bhуti) who was an аvesanika hailing from Pavayаta. The word аvesani (=аveщanika) meaning 'the foreman of artisans' occurs in early epigraphs such as the Sагchi inscription of the Щаtavаhana monarch Щаtakarнi and the Jaggayyapeтa inscriptions of the Ikшvаku king Vиrapuruшadatta (See Luфders' List, Nos. 346, 1202-04). Mуlabhуta seems to have been an аvesanika in the service of the Ikшvаku kings. It is difficult to explain the epithet tamaнiyakara applied to Mуlabhуta in the inscription. It may be the name of the family to which the person belonged. Otherwise we have to take it as another personal name and insert the word cha to indicate that the pillar was raised for both Tamaniyakara and Mulabhуta.

TEXT.

1 Pa[va]yаtakasa
2 аvesanikasa
3 Tamaнiyakarasa
4 M[у]labhutasa
5 chhаya-tha[bha] [||*]
___________________________
From impressions. It is A. R. Ep., 1958-59, No. B 82.