Umachal Rock Inscription

The Umachal rock inscription lies on the Nilachal Hills, on their north-eastern side, a part known as Umachal, near Guwahati. Dating from the 5th century, it counts among the earliest inscriptions found in Assam, though the undated Nagajari-Khanikargaon inscription is sometimes put forward as older on grounds of style.

Written in Sanskrit prose in a Nagari form of the Gupta script, it records that the cave temple of Lord Balabhadra was made by Maharajadhiraja Sri Surendra Varman. Scholars date it by identifying this king with Mahendravarman of the Varman dynasty, who flourished around 470–494. While the Nilachal Hills are known for the Kamakhya Temple, a Shakta and tantric centre, this shrine belonged to Balabhadra, a god of the Vaishnava pantheon.