Prashastis were composed by whom?

Prashastis were typically composed by court poets or royal scribes in ancient and medieval India. These compositions were created in praise of kings and rulers, detailing their lineage, victories, virtues, generosity, and divine qualities.

Who Composed Prashastis?

Role/Title	Description
Court Poets	Learned scholars who wrote verses glorifying the king and his ancestors.
Brahmin Scholars	Often employed by the king to create Prashastis in Sanskrit or regional scripts.
Royal Scribes	Official writers or chroniclers of the court who documented royal achievements.
Templar Inscriptions	Composed by temple scribes on orders of the ruler to legitimize their rule.

What is a Prashasti?

Prashasti is a Sanskrit word meaning “praise” or “commendation.” It refers to a genre of inscriptions used by Indian kings to:

• Glorify their achievements and military conquests
• Assert divine legitimacy to rule
• Preserve their legacy for future generations

These inscriptions were usually engraved on stone pillars, temple walls, copper plates, and coins.

Features of Prashastis

Feature	Description
Language	Mainly Sanskrit; sometimes in Prakrit or regional languages
Medium	Stone inscriptions, copper plates, temple walls, and pillars
Content	Royal genealogy, victories, donations, divine status, and moral virtues
Purpose	Political propaganda, legitimation of rule, historical record

Also Read:
What are distributaries ?
Who Gave the Slogan “Do or Die”?
What Are the Factors Responsible for the Success of Democracy?