Origins and Early Inscriptions of the Brahmi Script in South Asia (c. 3rd century BCE–1st century CE)

1. Brahmi attested in Ashoka’s Minor Rock Edicts

   Jan 1, 258 BCELabels: Ashoka, Minor Rock

   • Brahmi
   • Minor Edicts

2. Barabar Hill caves dedicated with Ashokan Brahmi inscriptions

   Jan 1, 258 BCELabels: Barabar Hill, Ashoka

   • Barabar Caves
   • Minor Edicts

3. Major Rock Edicts carved in Brahmi across Ashoka’s empire

   Jan 1, 250 BCELabels: Major Rock, Ashoka

   • Britannica
   • Khalsi Edicts

4. Sohgaura copper plate shows early Brahmi on metal

   Jan 1, 250 BCELabels: Sohgaura plate, Mauryan administration

   • Sohgaura Plate
   • Brahmi

5. Brahmi spreads into South India via Bhattiprolu variant

   Jan 1, 200 BCELabels: Bhattiprolu, South India

   • Bhattiprolu
   • Brahmi

6. Heliodorus pillar inscription uses Brahmi for Vāsudeva devotion

   Jan 1, 113 BCELabels: Heliodorus pillar, Heliodorus

   • Heliodorus
   • Brahmi

7. Bharhut stupa railings record donor inscriptions in Brahmi

   Jan 1, 100 BCELabels: Bharhut, Stupa railings

   • Bharhut
   • Brahmi

8. Hathibada–Ghosundi inscriptions show early Sanskrit in Brahmi

   Jan 1, 100 BCELabels: Hathibada, Ghosundi

   • Hathibada
   • Brahmi

9. Yavanarajya inscription documents Brahmi-era dating at Mathura

   Jan 1, 100 BCELabels: Yavanarajya, Mathura

   • Yavanarajya
   • Brahmi

10. Vasu doorjamb inscription attests early 1st-century CE Brahmi Sanskrit

    Jan 1, 15Labels: Vasu doorjamb, Mathura

    • Vasu Doorjamb
    • Brahmi

11. Brahmi letterforms shift toward ‘Middle Brahmi’ in early centuries CE

    Jan 1, 50Labels: Middle Brahmi, Letterforms

    • Brahmi

12. Brahmi remains a major epigraphic script through 1st century CE

    Jan 1, 100Labels: Brahmi script, South Asia

    • Brahmi
    • Vasu Doorjamb