Correct Answer:
Option B —
Gifts made to religious institutions
What are Votive Inscriptions?
Votive inscriptions are short records engraved on the walls, railings, or pillars of religious structures (like Buddhist stupas or Hindu temples) that document a pious donation.
Who made them? Unlike royal inscriptions (Prashastis), these were often made by ordinary people, including merchants, artisans, monks, nuns, and householders.
What was recorded? They typically mentioned the name of the donor, their occupation, their place of origin, and sometimes their lineage.
What was donated? The gifts could range from a single stone rail or a pillar to a small sum of money for maintaining lamps or providing food for monks.
Why they are historically significant
These inscriptions are "history from below." They tell us things that royal records usually ignore:
Economic Status: They prove that even small-scale artisans (like weavers or ivory carvers) were wealthy enough to make donations.
Women's Agency: A significant number of these inscriptions record donations by women, indicating they had some level of control over their own resources.
Urban Geography: By listing the donor's hometown, historians can map out ancient trade routes and the importance of specific urban centers.
Distinguishing the other options:
Option A: Records of sati are usually found on "Hero Stones" or Mariya stones, which are much later in chronology.
Option C: Records of conquests are known as Prashastis (e.g., the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta).
Option D: Accounts of coronation sacrifices are often found in Vedic texts or specific royal inscriptions like the Nanaghat Inscription.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
