What do inscriptions on the railings and pillars of stupas such as Sanchi primarily record?

Donations for construction and decoration

Inscriptions engraved on the railings and pillars of stupas provide a record of contributions made to construct and adorn them. These contributions were diverse, including donations from kings like the Satavahanas, as well as from guilds, such as the ivory workers who funded a portion of a gateway at Sanchi. Numerous individuals, both women and men, proudly noted their names, often mentioning their origins and occupations, along with the names of their family members. Even the bhikkhus (monks) and bhikkhunis (nuns) actively participated by contributing to the creation of these monumental structures.