Heliodorus pillar
The column of Heliodorus in Vidisha / Sanchi in the heart of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh was around 100 BC by the - built Indo- Greek ambassador Heliodorus - probably from Taxila derived.
Discovery
The column was discovered by Alexander Cunningham, the founder of the Archaeological Survey of India, in 1877. Since she was covered by a red layer of dirt, they dated the researchers in the Gupta period (4th / 5th century AD). Only the removal of the dirt layer by John Hubert Marshall at the beginning of the 20th century made the two inscriptions visible, whose translation was regarded in the professional world as a sensation. In 1955, the Indian archaeologist M. D. Khare laid the foundations of a former temple complex free in the immediate vicinity of the column.
Description
The approximately 4.80 meters high monolithic column shaft in three - divided sections - tapered upwards; the transitions are optically isolated from subjects rosettes and small lotus flowers and garlands. About a final shaft ring rises a about 1.20 meters high capital, which ends with a stylized lotus flower hanging down.
The two inscriptions are on three fields of the lower - octagonal - part of the shaft; about conduct eight subjects rosettes for kanelierten middle part of the column. The capital was once - as the first inscription suggests - a statue of Garuda. The column was possibly in front of a - no longer get - (?) Wooden temple of Vasudeva / Krishna, which is dedicated to the monument.
Inscriptions
Donor Inscription
The seven-line, written in Brahmi inscription says that Heliodorus, the founder of the monument, an envoy of the Indo - Greek king of Taxila Antialkidas (about 115-95 BC) at the court of Shunga ruler Bhagabhadra ( = Bhagavata? ) Was and the column was erected in the 14th year of the reign of the ruler.