Editorial Standards & Epigraphical Policy
BharatPedia enforces strict evidentiary criteria before publishing historical assessments, dynastic timelines, and architectural classifications.
1. Hierarchy of Historical Evidence
When drafting guides and syllabus overviews, our editorial team adheres to the following evidentiary hierarchy:
- Primary Epigraphy & Inscriptions: Stone inscriptions (rock edicts, pillar inscriptions, temple prasastis) and copper plate charters (tamra-shasana) documented in peer-reviewed journals such as Epigraphia Indica and South Indian Inscriptions.
- Numismatics (Coinage): Physical coin finds indicating sovereign titles, mint territories, metallurgical composition, and maritime imagery (such as Satavahana ship coins).
- Archaeological Stratigraphy: Radiocarbon and excavation field reports published by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State Departments of Archaeology.
- Contemporary Literary Records: Indigenous texts and external traveler accounts (Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, Megasthenes, Xuanzang, Al-Biruni) subjected to historiographical cross-examination.
2. Treatment of Myth vs. Historiography
India possesses rich mythological and oral traditions that carry profound cultural and philosophical significance. On BharatPedia, we celebrate this living cultural heritage while maintaining clear scholarly distinction:
- Legend & Lore: Explicitly identified as cultural traditions, temple legends (Sthala Puranas), or oral folklore.
- Historical Fact: Reserved exclusively for events, structures, and rulers corroborated by material archaeological or epigraphical evidence.
3. Corrections & Peer Review Protocol
History is a dynamic science continually illuminated by new archaeological discoveries. If an inscription is re-dated or a fresh excavation updates existing consensus, our team promptly updates the affected guide with an editorial revision note.
To submit an academic correction with primary source citations, contact us at editorial@bharatpedia.in.