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THE TAXILA COPPER PLATE ~ EVIDENCE OF THE USE OF THE GREEK CALENDAR IN PAKISTAN

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THE TAXILA COPPER PLATE ~ EVIDENCE OF THE USE OF THE GREEK CALENDAR IN PAKISTAN



The Taxila Copper plate ( also called the Moga Inscription or the Patika Copper plate) is a notable archaeological artifact found in the area of Taxila, Punjab, in modern Pakistan. It is now in the collection of the British Museum.
The copper plate is dated to a period between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE. It bears a date: the 5th day of the Macedonian month of Panemos, in the year 78 of king Moga. It is thought it may be related to the establishment of a Maues era, which would give a date around 6 CE.

The copper plate is written in the Kharosthi script. It relates the dedication of a relic of the Buddha Shakyamuni (Pali: śakamuni, literally "Master of the Shakas") to a Buddhist monastery by the Indo-Scythian (Pali: "śaka") ruler Patika Kusulaka, son of Liaka Kusulaka, satrap of Chukhsa, near Taxila.

The inscription is significant in that it documents the fact that Indo-Scythians practiced the Buddhist faith. It is also famous for mentioning Patika Kusulaka, who also appears as a "Great Satrap" in the Mathura lion capital inscription.

Another fascinating detail about the Taxila Copper Plate is that the date is according to the Greek calendar and more specifically, the variation which the Macedonians used. The month Panemos ( Πάνημος) is the 9th month of the calendar, between modern June and July.



Text of the inscription

1 [samva]tsaraye athasatatimae 20 20 20 10 4 4 maharayasa mahamtasa mogasa pa[ne]masa masasa divase pamcame 4 1 etaye purvaye kshaha[ra]ta[sa]
2 [cukh]sa ca kshatrapasa liako kusuluko nama tasa [pu]tro pati[ko] takhaśilaye nagare utarena pracu deśo kshema nama atra
3 (*de)she patiko apratithavita bhagavata śakamunisa shariram (*pra)tithaveti [samgha]ramam ca sarvabudhana puyae mata-pitaram puyayamt(*o)
4 [kshatra]pasa saputradarasa ayu-bala-vardhi[e] bhratara sarva ca [nyatiga-bamdha]vasa ca puyayamto maha-danapati patikasa jauvanyae
5 rohinimitrenya ya ima[mi] samgharame navakamika
Reverse: Patikasa kshatrapa Liaka


Original text of the Taxila copper plate inscription

In the seventy-eighth, 78, year of the Great King, the Great Moga, on the fifth, 5, day of the month Panemos, on this first, of the Kshaharata
and Kshatrapa of Chukhsa–Liaka Kusulaka by name – his son Patika - in the town of Takshasila, to the north, the eastern region, Kshema by name
In this place Patika establishes a (formerly not) established relic of the Lord Shakyamuni and a sangharama (through Rohinimitra who is the overseer of work of this sangharama)
For the worship of all Buddhas, worshipping his mother and father, for the increase of the life and power of the Kshatrapa, together with his son and wife, worshipping all his brothers and his blood-relations and kinsmen.
At the jauva-order of the great gift-lord Patika
To Patika the Kshatrapa Liaka
https://greekasia.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-taxila-copper-plate-evidence-of-use.html
 
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Any chance we can get it back?

Western museum have been known to return artifacts, but only to developed countries that have the capabilities and Technology to keep them safe.

South Korea got a lot of their artifacts back after they became a developed economy.
 
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The copper plate is written in the Kharosthi script. It relates the dedication of a relic of the Buddha Shakyamuni (Pali: śakamuni, literally "Master of the Shakas") to a Buddhist monastery by the Indo-Scythian (Pali: "śaka") ruler Patika Kusulaka, son of Liaka Kusulaka, satrap of Chukhsa, near Taxila............................
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This reminded me one of the character of Zafri Khan in a punjabi stage drama, Liaku Kana and his dialogue "Ah gaya Liaku kana" :lol::lol::lol:.
 
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Any chance we can get it back?
Possibly, if we were to take a harder stance. Though, it should be known that many of our artifacts are in International Art Galleries, brought there by smugglers and then auctioned off. The only way to get those back is by buying them.
 
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Possibly, if we were to take a harder stance. Though, it should be known that many of our artifacts are in International Art Galleries, brought there by smugglers and then auctioned off. The only way to get those back is by buying them.

I concur, the British looted them from India and took them back to Britain before they left India....they have also gave back some items back to India as a gesture of good will.

If the govt. shows some spine and asks for them, I'm sure they'll return some back, if not then go full diplo on them until they do. As a last resort, give them what they need (other than $$$, like info or whatever) or/& take a aggressive stance.

Pakistan can start a PR war with the UK over the "stolen artifacts" if it wants to anytime. ;)
 
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This copper plate in sanskrit right? It is remind me about many inscription in indonesia that also use sankrit

Word like putro nagare utarane still found in Indonesian word as putra (son) negara (state/country) and utara (north)
 
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Possibly, if we were to take a harder stance. Though, it should be known that many of our artifacts are in International Art Galleries, brought there by smugglers and then auctioned off. The only way to get those back is by buying them.

True, still many get smuggled out. Honestly for time being these will be safe in BM. Maybe by 2047 Pakistan will be good enough to take care of ancient artifacts. Very little attention is paid even now.
 
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Western museum have been known to return artifacts, but only to developed countries that have the capabilities and Technology to keep them safe.

South Korea got a lot of their artifacts back after they became a developed economy.

Development helps but at the end of the day it is economic and political power that decides. Greece for example despite its financial difficulties is a developed nation. Still Britain wont return the Parthenon Marbles (even though both are NATO allies and for now at least in the EU), because the power and economic balance is clearly in the UKs favor. Pakistan won't be able to get its heritage back until our economic power grows and nations value their relationship with us.
 
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