Epigraphy, is the study of written matter recorded on hard and desirable materials and is prime tool in recovering much of first hand record of antiquity, Sanjay Kumar Manjul v. Chairman, UPSC, (2006) 8 SCC 42: (2006) 12 JT 1: (2006) 9 SCALE 232: (2006) 7 Supreme 304: (2006) 10 SRJ 386.
Is the study and interpretation of ancient inscription; epigraphs collectively. It is an inscription on a building, statue or coin; a short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest its theme, Webster American Dictionary.
Has been stated to be the study of written matter recorded on hard or durable materials and is
the prime tool in recovering much of the first-
hand record of antiquity, New Encyclopaedia of Britannica.