BharatSHRI Initiative: Digital Repository of India’s Ancient Inscriptions

BharatSHRI Initiative is a Government of India project to digitize and preserve ancient inscriptions, creating a national digital epigraphy repository to support research, heritage conservation, and public access to India’s historical records.

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Context

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has deployed four technical teams in Tamil Nadu under the. BharatSHRI Project to re-copy old inscriptions whose earlier estampages (ink impressions) have been damaged or lost.

More about the News

Reason for Recopying: Many inscriptions in Tamil Nadu were originally copied between 1887 and 1915 during early colonial surveys.
- Over time Some estampages were partially damaged, missing or unclear.
- To ensure clarity in the new digital archive, ASI decided to recopy these inscriptions directly from temple sites.
Location: They are recopying inscriptions in temples located at Tiruchi, Ulundurpet, Tiruppur and Thanjavur
These inscriptions belong to major historical periods such as:
- The reign of Raja Raja Chola I
- The reign of Rajendra Chola I
- The Vijayanagara Empire period

About BharatSHRI Project

● It is a Government of India project announced in 2023 to digitize and preserve ancient inscriptions (estampages) in a digital museum

● Goal: To create a digital epigraphy museum, ensuring the long-term preservation of rare inscriptions through digital scanning.

● What the Repository Will Include

○ Each inscription entry will contain:

○ Location details

○ Associated king and dynasty

○ Language and script

○ Time period

○ Transcript of the inscription

○ Description and historical context

This structured digital database will significantly enhance accessibility and transparency.

What is Epigraphy

● Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions engraved on stone, metal, temple walls, pillars, and other durable materials.

Importance of Tamil Nadu in Epigraphy: Tamil Nadu has one of the richest inscriptional traditions in India.

Chola-period inscriptions are particularly important because they:

● Document sophisticated local self-governance (Sabhas and Ur councils)

● Record detailed tax and irrigation systems

● Provide insight into temple-based economic networks

Thus, recopying and digitising Tamil inscriptions strengthens understanding of South India’s administrative and cultural history.

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