The earliest clear epigraphic reference to the practice of sati as a widow self immolation is found in which famous inscription?

Introduction / Context:
The practice of sati, in which a widow immolated herself on the funeral pyre of her husband, is a painful and much debated aspect of early Indian social history. Historians use inscriptions, literary sources, and foreign accounts to trace the origin and development of this custom. This question specifically focuses on the earliest clear epigraphic reference to sati in an inscription and asks you to identify which inscription provides that evidence.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about the earliest clear inscriptional evidence of the sati custom.
• The options list several important inscriptions from different regions and periods.
• They include the Allahabad Pillar inscription, Eran inscription of Bhanugupta, Aihole inscription of Pulakeshin II, Bhitar inscription of Skandagupta, and Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman.
• You have to choose the inscription that most directly mentions a widow committing sati.

Concept / Approach:
The Eran inscription of Bhanugupta from the sixth century common era is widely considered the earliest definite epigraphic reference to sati. It records that the widow of a fallen warrior joined him on the funeral pyre, describing the act in a way that clearly matches the later understanding of sati. The other inscriptions are important for political and dynastic information but do not provide this explicit early mention of the custom. Recognising which inscription belongs to which theme is key to answering correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is asking for the earliest clear inscriptional mention, not later references or literary descriptions. Step 2: Recall that the Eran inscription of Bhanugupta in central India describes the wife of a warrior who died in battle joining him on the funeral pyre. Step 3: Understand that historians interpret this passage as the earliest definite epigraphic evidence for the sati custom. Step 4: Consider the other inscriptions: the Allahabad Pillar inscription praises Samudragupta, the Aihole inscription records the achievements of Pulakeshin II, the Bhitar inscription deals with Skandagupta, and the Junagadh inscription records the works of Rudradaman. Step 5: None of these other inscriptions are known for a clear early reference to a widow burning herself on her husband pyre. Step 6: Therefore, the correct choice is the Eran inscription of Bhanugupta.

Verification / Alternative check:
Scholarly works on the history of sati and on Gupta period epigraphy repeatedly cite the Eran inscription as the first clear epigraphic reference to the practice. They quote the relevant lines and discuss their meaning, noting how the text portrays the widow act as heroic and devoted. In contrast, the other inscriptions listed in the options are discussed mainly in relation to political conquests, genealogies, or public works, and not as sources on social customs like sati. This stable scholarly consensus supports the choice of Eran inscription of Bhanugupta as the earliest clear reference.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Allahabad Pillar inscription: This inscription praises Samudragupta military campaigns and virtues but does not provide an early explicit reference to sati.

Aihole inscription of Pulakeshin II: It focuses on the achievements of the Chalukya ruler Pulakeshin II and contains no such description of widow self immolation.
Bhitar inscription of Skandagupta: It records the deeds of Skandagupta and his family but is not cited as evidence for the origin of sati.
Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman: This inscription is important for its Sanskrit prose and records repairs to a dam, not social customs like sati.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to confuse famous and often mentioned inscriptions with the specific topic of sati, leading to random guessing among well known names like Allahabad or Junagadh. Another pitfall is to rely on general memory of Gupta inscriptions without recalling their particular content. To avoid such errors, it helps to associate the Eran inscription of Bhanugupta specifically with the earliest epigraphic mention of sati, while remembering that the other inscriptions mainly provide political and administrative information.

Final Answer:
The earliest clear inscriptional reference to the custom of sati is found in the Eran inscription of Bhanugupta.