File:2nd century BCE Hindu Sanskrit inscription Nanaghat cave, I-3, 4, 5, 6.jpg

English: Naneghat, also spelled Nanaghat, is a high plateau and pass through the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. Stone steps lead to through this pass between the Konkan area and Junnar, an ancient town. On top of Naneghat pass are caves, ancient ones. One of them is large and has panels of ancient Sanskrit inscriptions in Brahmi script.

Generally dated to about the 2nd century BCE (3rd or 1st according to some). These were sponsored by a Satvahana Queen. Her inscriptions are considered as among the oldest surviving Hindu inscriptions. These are a valued record of ancient India, its religious beliefs and society.

These four small inscriptions are names of kings and queens of the Satavahana dynasty.

• 3: Raya Simuka - Satavahano sirimato (Trans: King Simuka Satavahana, the illustrious one)

• 4: Devi Nayanikaya rano cha Siri-Satakanino (Trans: Queen Nayanika, and the king, the illustrious Satakarni)

• 5: Kumaro Bhaya (Trans: Prince Bhaya)

• 6: Maharathi Tranakayiro (Trans: Barron Tranakayira)

Photograph rights: The inscription 2D Art was produced about the 2nd century BCE. The 2D surface's photograph was published in 1883 by James Burgess (died 1892). The above image is a photograph from a personal copy of the published book in 1883,. PD-Art-100-70 guidelines apply, and any rights I have are herewith donated to wikimedia commons with Creative Commons 4.0 license.