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The Licchavis ruled the Nepal Valley from 4th – 8th centuries. At that time according to the Hindu rule of social stratification, the people of Nepal are divided into four main categories – the Brāhmaṇas, the Khṣatriyas, the Vaiśyas and the Śudras. The first two are supposed to perform the duties of the priests and protects respectively. The Vaiśyas are supposed to handle the trade and business affairs. The remaining group is to provide manual services to the higher one. The Inscription on the pedestal of Chaṇḍeśvara dated 640 A.D. from Nepal contains two lines where the expression varṇāśramodbhāsita (line 1) occurs. In this paper an attempt has been made to show the position and status of the Brāhmaṇas of ancient Nepal and as well as in ancient India. The rules prescribed by Manu, Yajnavalkya, Brihaspati, Narada are followed in Indian and Nepal society. But some differences are observed from the inscriptional evidences. There were no hard and fast rules for Brāhmaṇas in ancient Nepal society. Brāhmaṇas were dignified and important in the Nepal administration and usually they appear as priests, local administrators and animal raisers also. From the context of the Bungmati Inscription from Nepal it can be assumed that Brāhmaṇas and others are raising animals like pigs, fowls, etc with the full support of royal administration and the Bhaṭṭādhikaraṇa is strictly prohibited to enter in to the village. Manu, Yajnavalkya prescribed some āpaddharmavṛtti (professions can be taken at the time of danger) for Brāhmaṇas but animals such as pigs, fowls rearing are strictly forbidden for them and no such evidences are found in the inscriptions from India where Brāhmaṇas are rearing animals with śudras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report presents the results of a short programme of fieldwork targeted towards the investigation of the archaeological and geographical setting of the Chamak copperplate charter. This inscription, unearthed in the modern village of Chamak in 1868, records the grant of land to a group of Brahmins living in the village of 'Charmaka'. These have long been assumed to be the same place, but the archaeological contexts of the find spot of the charter had never been explored. Preliminary surveys in and around Chamak have revealed a considerable amount of archaeological material, which is presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent course of exploration in the area identified as Kṛimilā Adhiṣṭhāna of early medieval period by D.C. Sircar is near modern town Lakhisarai, a district headquarter of Bihar. It is situated around 125 kilometers east of Patna, the state capital. It is well connected by rail and road; Patna Howrah main line and NH 80 passes through the place. The longitude of city is 86°06′ east and latitude is 25°10′ north. The area around 25–30 square kilometers of the city has large number of historical monuments, particularly Buddhist Stupas and Brahmanical temples. Beglar and Cunningham explored the area and reported the antiquity of the region in 19th century. They have identified existence of Buddhist Stupa and Brahmanical temples in the area. In 1950s and 1960s D.C. Sircar and subsequently R.K Choudhary visited the region and reported few inscriptions of early medieval period. An extensive exploration conducted by me, has revealed many interesting facts undisclosed about the early medieval historiography. There are more than thirty big mounds which are unexcavated lying between Valgudar and Rampur in Lakhisarai district of Bihar. Recent exploration has yielded six image inscriptions and more than 100 Buddhist as well as Brahmanical sculptures. Stylistic analysis of these sculptures suggests us the early medieval dates, and different phases of construction activities. The whole area falls around 30 square kilometers, which has more than thirty mounds, more than twenty ponds and three lakes. Few brick structures over the mounds are exposed due to natural calamities or encroachments by the local people. Overall survey of the area and decipherment of the found inscriptions, suggests us about an existence of a large religious and administrative centre of early medieval eastern India. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A detailed technical analysis of the characters of the oldest Delhi Iron Pillar inscription has been conducted. It reveals that the characters were put on the surface by die-striking operation using dies of different characteristic shapes. The dies were struck more than once to provide each imprint on the surface. Both the die and material surfaces were in cold condition during the operation. Evidences have been provided to conclude that the inscription was die-struck on the pillar when it was in the vertical erect condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]