**Inscription: An Introduction**

Inscription refers to the act of writing or engraving words, symbols, or designs on a surface, typically on stone, metal, or wood. It is an ancient practice that has been used throughout history for various purposes, including recording important information, commemorating events or individuals, and conveying religious or cultural messages. Inscriptions can be found on various artifacts such as monuments, tombstones, coins, and historical buildings, providing valuable insights into the past.

**Types of Inscriptions**

There are several types of inscriptions, each serving a specific purpose:

1. **Epigraphic Inscriptions**: These inscriptions are typically found on stone surfaces and provide historical, cultural, or religious information. They often include details about rulers, significant events, or religious beliefs of a particular era.

2. **Funerary Inscriptions**: These inscriptions are commonly found on tombstones or graves and provide information about the deceased individual. They may include the person's name, date of birth and death, and sometimes even a short epitaph or memorial message.

3. **Commemorative Inscriptions**: These inscriptions are created to commemorate an important event, achievement, or person. They can be found on monuments, plaques, or buildings and serve as a permanent reminder of historical significance.

4. **Numismatic Inscriptions**: These inscriptions are found on coins and provide information about the issuing authority, denomination, and sometimes even historical or cultural symbols. They help identify and date coins, contributing to the study of numismatics.

5. **Religious Inscriptions**: These inscriptions are commonly found in religious buildings, such as temples, churches, or mosques. They often consist of verses from religious texts, prayers, or sacred symbols, serving as a means of expressing devotion or conveying religious teachings.

**Significance of Inscriptions**

Inscriptions play a crucial role in preserving historical and cultural information for future generations. They serve as primary sources of evidence, providing insights into past civilizations, languages, and beliefs. They help historians and archaeologists decipher ancient scripts, understand chronology, and reconstruct historical events. Inscriptions also serve as cultural artifacts, showcasing the artistic and linguistic achievements of different societies.

Moreover, inscriptions contribute to the documentation of genealogy, allowing individuals to trace their ancestry and connect with their roots. They serve as a means of honoring and remembering important figures, events, or religious teachings. Inscriptions on coins also provide valuable information about economic systems, trade routes, and political structures.

In conclusion, inscription is the art of writing or engraving on various surfaces to convey information, commemorate individuals or events, and express religious or cultural beliefs. They hold immense historical, cultural, and artistic value, serving as important sources of information for researchers and as tangible links to our past.

Writings engraved on hard surfaces like tombs, Monuments, rocks, pillars, clay tablets, metal plates, etc. are known as inscriptions. For example, Ashoka's inscriptions on pillars conveyed the details of his achievements, religious beliefs etc.