After Leiden copper plates, ASI trying to bring back those of early Pallava kings from Scotland

CHENNAI: After bringing back the 11th century CE Chola-era copper plates from Leiden University in the Netherlands, Archaeological Survey of India is now working to bring back from Scotland seven charters on copper plates, including those issued by Vishnu Gopavarman and Simhavarman, early Pallava kings who ruled from Kanchipuram. These copper charters, estimated to be from 4th century CE to 16th century CE, are at Edinburgh University Library in Scotland.

They are Uruvapalli charter of Vishnu Gopavarman, Mangalur charter of Simhavarman II, probably from 4th century CE or 5th century CE, charters of eastern Chalukya king Vijayaditya III issued in 9th century CE, those of Vijayanagar emperors Narasimha Raya II and Sriranga II, both were issued in the 16th century, and charter of Gujarat king Dadda II Prasantaraga of the 7th century.

“The seven copper charters were collected from Andhra Pradesh (six) and Gujarat (one) by British archaeologist Sir Walter Elliot in the 19th century. They were donated to the university by Major Hans F Eggeling,” said Munirathnam Reddy, director (epigraphy), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

“These copper charters are an invaluable cultural treasure of our country, throwing light on Indian history and culture,” he added.

“The Uruvapalli charter consists of five copper plates and it has a seal with a ring. The royal charter is in Sanskrit and mentions donation of 200 nivarthana land at Uruvapalli as 'devabhoga' to the temple of Vishnuharadevakulm,” said senior epigraphist S Rajavelu. “Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta records Vishnugopa as ruler of Kanchi. Samudra Gupta ruled from 335 CE to 375 CE. The copper plates belong to the middle of the 4th century CE,” he added.

Mangalur charter consists of 14 copper sheets with Pallava grantha characters and Sanskrit. “Issued by Sri Simhavarman, it refers to the gift of pieces of land at Mangalur in present-day Andhra Pradesh to Brahmins,” Rajavelu said.


Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu History Congress has urged chief minister C Joseph Vijay to bring back the Chola-era Leiden copper plates (also known as Anaimangalam copper plates) to Tamil Nadu. “The CM should make a formal request to the Prime Minister, Union ministry of culture, and ASI to hand over the Anaimangalam copper plates to the Govt of Tamil Nadu for permanent custody. State archaeology department should prepare a detailed proposal identifying a secure, publicly accessible museum in Nagapattinam or Gangaikonda Cholapuram for the display of the plates," said S S Sundaram, general secretary of Tamil Nadu History Congress, in his appeal to the chief minister on Tuesday.