Epigraphical Note No 1-18 – Malani Dias

Discover the Unspoken History of Ancient Sri Lanka Through Its Stone Inscriptions.

Overview

Dive deep into the bedrock of Sri Lankan history with Epigraphical Notes (Nos. 1–18), an authoritative compilation by one of the island’s most distinguished epigraphists, Dr. Malini Dias (former Director of Epigraphy & Numismatics for the Department of Archaeology). First published in 1991, this essential volume serves as an invaluable archive of primary research, bringing to light critical epigraphical discoveries that shaped our understanding of the island’s ancient socio-political and cultural landscape.

Inside the Book

This comprehensive 262-page reference manual brings together 18 meticulously documented epigraphical studies. Spanning across crucial historical eras—including the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy periods—Dr. Dias provides a masterclass in historical decoding.

Each note features:

• 🔍 Detailed Epigraphical Descriptions: Exact physical and contextual details of newly discovered or re-evaluated inscriptions.

• 🔠 Accurate Translations & Transcriptions: Precise readings of ancient Brahmi and Sinhala scripts, rendering centuries-old edicts readable for modern scholars.

• 💡 Expert Historical Commentary: Deep analysis connecting the inscriptions to ancient royal lineages, religious donations, economic systems, and societal laws.

• 📸 Photographic Plates & Visuals: Includes extensive black-and-white plates and abbreviations for clear, visual scholarly cross-referencing.

Why This Book Belongs on Your Shelf

Whether you are an academic historian, a university student specializing in South Asian archaeology, or a passionate heritage enthusiast, this volume is an irreplaceable toolkit. It offers a rare, unfiltered look into the past through the exact words left behind by the kings, monks, and citizens of ancient Sri Lanka.

As an official Department of Archaeology text that is highly sought-after and scarcely available in the open market, this volume is a true collector’s item for any serious Sri Lankan history library.

Product Specifications

• Author: Dr. Malini Dias

• Publisher: Department of Archaeology, Colombo, Sri Lanka (1991)

• Format:  Softcover

• Pages: xii + 261 pages with extensive B&W photographic plates

• Language: English

• Category: Sri Lankan History / Epigraphy / Archaeology / Ancient Inscriptions