Marathi Inscription

Akshi village is located near about 5 km to the South of Alibag. The village is surrounded by lush green plantations of Areca and Coconut palms. Aakshi is located on the Alibag Murud road. Akshi has a great historical heritage. The ancient pillar near the entrance of the village confirms the historicity of the village. In this area two such inscriptions of Konkan Shilahar dynasty Nripati Keshidevarai and Devagiri Yadav Nripati Ramachandradev have been found.

Epigraph 1 :- This inscription belongs to Keshidevaraya and is written in a mixture of Sanskrit and Marathi in the Devanagari script. It is dated to the year 934 of the Shaka era, Pradhavi Samvatsara, additional month (Jyeshtha), Friday, 16th May, corresponding to the year 1012. This inscription includes the names of Keshidevaraya – the ruler of the Kokan Shilahar dynasty, Bhairju Senui – the Mahapradhan, and Lunaya-the person who has carved. The upper part of the inscription contains images of the moon and the sun. Afterwards, there are a total of 9 lines in a mixed form of Sanskrit and Marathi. The summary of the inscription indicates that the king of Kokan, Chakravarti Keshidevaraya, donated nine kavali (a unit of measurement) of grains to the deity Danyadevi in the village, as recorded by the Mahapradhan Bhairju Senui. The conclusion of this inscription carries a curse. According to archaeologists, this is the first inscription available in the Marathi language.

Epigraph 2 :- The inscription of Yadav Nripati Ramchandradev is in Sanskrit-Marathi mixed language and is in Devanagari script. It is dated Shaka 1213 (last year), Khar Samvatsar, Chaitra Shuddha 7, Friday, March 9, AD 1291. The inscription includes the names Yadava Nripati, Mandalik of Jaideva-Yadava Nripati, and son of IshwarDev Kshatriya-Jaideva. Summary of the article – It is to be mentioned that Ishwardev Kshatriya, son of Mandalik Jaidev of Yadav Nripati Ramachandradev, donated a mattress to the Goddess on the above tithi. Both these inscriptions have images of moon and sun.

The Gaddhegal gives the rules and regulations regarding the land, laid by the rulers for the natives. These rules were to be
followed strictly or else the curse will follow. The warnings were to prevent the misuse of the temples or donated land. The Gaddhegal is a rock edict that has peculiar auspicious features like Sun and Moon emphasising that the curse will be forever as the Sun and the Moon.

Many history enthusiasts come to Aakshi village in search of these inscriptions. Both of these inscriptions have now been installed near the Sai temple located by the sea.

Historical Reference –  Raigad Gazetteer