Catalogue of the copperplate collection, Prof. N.K. Sahu
Museum, Sambalpur University

Amandine Wattelier-Bricout

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Amandine Wattelier-Bricout. Catalogue of the copperplate collection, Prof. N.K. Sahu Museum, Sambalpur University. 2024. hal-04649198

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Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
CATALOGUE OF THE
COPPERPLATE
COLLECTION,
PROF. N. K. SAHU
MUSEUM,
SAMBALPUR UNIVERSITY

*With three stone inscriptions in Appendix.*

Information gathered during a fieldtrip in February 2024
within the framework of the ERC-DHARMA Project

Team members: Arlo Griffiths, Hedwi Prihatmoko, Annette Schmiedchen and Amandine Wattelier-Bricout

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /></figure>

2024 - Amandine Wattelier-Bricout

Link to the photo collection:

https://didomena.ehess.fr/dashboard/collections/cr56n8978
CONTENTS

1. AMBAPUA GRANT OF DAጀIMAHĀDEVĪ .................................................................................... 3

2. SAMBALPUR UNIVERSITY MUSEUM PLATES OF THE TIME OF JANAMEJAYA, YEAR 23......4

3. BARAGAON PLATES OF THE TIME OF JANAMEJAYA, YEAR 13 .................................................. 6

4. RUCHIDA PLATES OF MAHĀBHAVAGUPTA, YEAR 8 .................................................................... 7

5. GAÑJAM PLATES OF ŚATRUBHAÑJADEVA TRIBHUVANAKALAŚA, YEAR 198 ........................ 9

6. PLATE OF VINĪTATUጀGA .................................................................................................................. 10

7. THREE FRAGMENTARY COPPER PLATES FROM NARLA................................................................ 11

8. SAMBALPUR UNIVERSITY MUSEUM PLATES OF RAጀABHAÑJA, YEAR 52 ............................ 14

9. TALCHER COPPER PLATE CHARTER OF GAYĀDOTUጀGA .......................................................... 15

10. A COPPER PLATE CHARTER OF ŚRĪMADMAHĀRĀJABHAÑJA.................................................. 16

11. KUMARI-SIጀHA COPPER PLATE GRANT OF SOMEŚVARADEVA........................................ 18

12. ODIA COPPER PLATE OF MUKUNDADEVA .................................................................................. 20

13. UNIDENTIFIED COPPER PLATE WITH A PEACOCK.................................................................... 21

14. SIRKATA COPPER PLATE GRANT OF MAHĀRĀJA NARAYAN SINGH OF SAMBALPUR .... 22

15. COPPER PLATE GRANT OF PRITHVI SING, MAHĀRĀJA OF SONEPUR.................................. 24

A. SONEPUR STONE INSCRIPTION OF BHĀNUDEVA (PROBABLY 1268 AD) ................................. 27

B. STONE INSCRIPTION OF RĀMA DEVA, FIRST CHAUHAN RĀJA OF PATNA STATE.................. 28

C. STATE INSCRIPTION OF JĀJALLA DEVA (?) .................................................................................. 31

BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................................ 33
# 1. AMBAPUA GRANT OF DAṄIMAHĀDEVĪ

Identifier: DHARMA_INSBhaumakara00016.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 3.<fnref n="1" />

Dynasty: Bhaumakara.

Description: A single plate with a seal attached; landscape format.

Provenance: Ambapua, Ganjam District, Odisha.

Content: Gift land granted by Daṇḍimahādevī.

Language: Sanskrit (mixed prose and verse).

Number of inscribed faces: 2.

Total number of lines: 34 (recto 19 /verso 15).

<table><thead><tr><td></td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>2.9</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>34</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.41</td></tr><tr><td>Seal diameter (cm)</td><td>11.66</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the seal (cm)</td><td>2.24</td></tr></tbody></table>

## References:

- Lakshminarayan Rao, N. 1950-51. *Annual report on Indian epigraphy for 1950-51*. Delhi: Government of India, CP n°22.

- Acharya, Subrata Kumar. 2014. *Copper-Plate Inscriptions of Odisha: A Descriptive Catalogue (circa Fourth Century to Sixteenth Century CE)*. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld, n°16, pp. 214-215.

<footnote n="1">¹ For each item, I give the accession number found in the previous *Catalogue of Prof. N.K. Sahu Museum* established by B. Padhan. For the complete reference, please consult the bibliography.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>Figure 1. Ambapua grant of Daṇḍīmahādevī.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/rb68xm63t

## 2. SAMBALPUR UNIVERSITY MUSEUM PLATES OF THE TIME OF JANAMEJAYA, YEAR 23

Identifier: DHARMA_INSSomavamsin00036.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 8.

Dynasty: Somavamsin.

Description: A set of three plates with an uncut ring and a seal; landscape format.

Provenance: Sambalpur, Sambalpur District, Odisha.

Content: Gift of a village by Devapya, son of Śaṅkilla, belonging to the Rāṣṭrakula.

Language: Sanskrit (mixed prose and verse).

Number of inscribed faces: 2.

Total number of lines: 45 (Plate 1: 10; Plate 2: recto 9/verso 9; Plate 3: recto 9/verso 8).
<table><thead><tr><td>Measurements</td><td>Minimum</td><td>Maximum</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>2.190 (set)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>9.8</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>17</td><td>17.3</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.36</td><td>0.56</td></tr><tr><td>Seal diameter (cm)</td><td>3.3 x 2 (oblong)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the seal (cm)</td><td>2.6</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hole diameter (cm)</td><td>1.44</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ring diameter (cm)</td><td>4.94</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

References:

- Shastri, Ajay Mitra. 1995. *Inscriptions of the Śarabhapurīyas, Pāṇḍuvaṁśins and Somavaṁśins, Part II: Inscriptions*. Delhi: Indian Council of Historical Research and Motilal Bandarsidass, pp. 343-347.

- Tripathy, Snigdha. 2010. *Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of Orissan Inscriptions*. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, n°1, pp. 446-447.

- Acharya, Subrata Kumar. 2014. *Copper-Plate Inscriptions of Odisha: A Descriptive Catalogue (circa Fourth Century to Sixteenth Century CE)*. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld, n°15, pp. 246-247.

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>Figure 2. Sambalpur University Museum plates of the time of Janamejaya, year 23.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/gt54kw69
### 3. BARAGAON PLATES OF THE TIME OF JANAMEJAYA, YEAR 13

Identifier: DHARMA_INSSomavamsin00040.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 12.

Dynasty: Somavamsin.

Description: A set of three plates with a seal and a cut ring; landscape format. A rectangular piece is missing from the top right of the second plate. Boar figure on the seal.

Provenance: Baragaon, Sambalpur District, Odisha.

Content: Gift of a village by Rāṇaka Pṛthvīvigraha, belonging to the Rāṣṭrakula.

Language: Sanskrit (mixed prose and verse).

Number of inscribed faces: 5.

Total number of lines: 50 (Plate 1: 9; Plate 2: recto 10/verso 11; Plate 3: recto 11/verso 9).

<table><thead><tr><td>Measurements</td><td>Minimum</td><td>Maximum</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight of the set (kg)</td><td>5.140</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Weight of the seal and the ring (kg)</td><td>2.256</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Weight by plate (kg)</td><td>1.69</td><td>1.75</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>9.7</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>18.5</td><td>19</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.3</td><td>0.4</td></tr><tr><td>Seal diameter (cm)</td><td>2.9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the seal (cm)</td><td>3.1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hole diameter (cm)</td><td>1.42</td><td>1.46</td></tr><tr><td>Ring diameter (cm)</td><td>4.1</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

### References:

- Nayak, P. K. 2012. "A Vigraha Grant Discovered from Baragaon" in S.V. Padigar and V. Shivananda (eds.), *Pratnakirti: Recent Studies in Indian Epigraphy, History, Archaeology and Art: Essays in Honour of Prof. Shrinivas Ritti*. Vol. 1, New Delhi: pp. 72-78.

- Acharya, Subrata Kumar. 2014. *Copper-Plate Inscriptions of Odisha: A Descriptive Catalogue (circa Fourth Century to Sixteenth Century CE)*. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld, n°11, pp. 241-242.
<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>Figure 3. Seal attached on the Baragaon plates of the time of Janamejaya, year 13.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/kp78gq996

## 4. RUCHIDA PLATES OF MAHĀBHAVAGUPTA, YEAR 8

Identifier: DHARMA_INSSomavamsin00039.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 13.

Dynasty: Somavamsin.

Description: A set of three plates with a seal and a cut ring; landscape format. Bull figure on the seal.

Provenance: Ruchida, Bargarh District, Odisha.

Content: Gift of a village by Mahābhavagupta to a brahmin named Bhaṭṭa Nanuka.

Language: Sanskrit (mixed prose and verse).

Number of inscribed faces: 5.

Total number of lines: 44 (Plate 1: 12; Plate 2: recto 12/verso 9; Plate 3: recto 11).
<table><thead><tr><td>Measurements</td><td>Minimum</td><td>Maximum</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight of the set (kg)</td><td>2.45</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Weight of the seal and the ring (kg)</td><td>0.624</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Weight by plate (kg)</td><td>0.553</td><td>0.614</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>12.3</td><td>12.8</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>27</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.25</td><td>0.31</td></tr><tr><td>Hole diameter (cm)</td><td>1.38</td><td>1.45</td></tr></tbody></table>

References:

- Tripathy, Snigdha. 2010. *Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of Orissan Inscriptions*. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, n°3, pp. 87-88.

- Acharya, Subrata Kumar. 2013. “Ruchida plates of Mahābhavagupta, year 8.” *Journal of the Epigraphical Society of India*, n°39, pp. 26–42.

- Acharya, Subrata Kumar. 2014. *Copper-Plate Inscriptions of Odisha: A Descriptive Catalogue (circa Fourth Century to Sixteenth Century CE)*. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld, n°11, pp. 241-242.

<figure><img src="image_9.png" /><figcaption>Figure 4. Seal of the Ruchida plates of Mahābhavagupta, year 8.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/x920g5138
5. GAÑJAM PLATES OF ŚATRUBHAÑJADEVA
TRIBHUVANAKALAŚA, YEAR 198

Identifier: INSKhinjaliMandalaBhanja00003.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 2.

Dynasty: Bhañjas of Khiñjali-Manḍala.

Description: A set of three plates with a seal and a cut and twisted ring; landscape format.

Provenance: Somewhere in the Ganjam District, Odisha.

Content: Gift of the village Kombavāḍa by Rāṇaka Śatrubhañja Tribhuvanakalaśa.

Language: Sanskrit (mixed prose and verse).

Number of inscribed faces: 4.

Total number of lines: 38 (Plate 1: 11; Plate 2: recto 10/verso 9; Plate 3: recto 8).

<table><thead><tr><td>Measurements</td><td>Minimum</td><td>Maximum</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight of the set (kg)</td><td>1.7</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>10.6</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>18.5</td><td>19</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.28</td><td>0.32</td></tr><tr><td>Seal diameter (cm)</td><td>3.38</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the seal (cm)</td><td>3.89</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hole diameter (cm)</td><td>1.61</td><td>1.62</td></tr><tr><td>Ring diameter (cm)</td><td>6.1</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

References:

- Tripathy, Snigdha. 1974. *Inscriptions of Orissa, vol. 6: Epigraphs of the Bhañja kings, 8th through 12th centuries*. Bhubaneswar: Government of Orissa, pp.191-195.

- Tripathy, Snigdha. 2010. *Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of Orissan Inscriptions*. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, n°47, pp. 222-223.

- Acharya, Subrata Kumar. 2014. *Copper-Plate Inscriptions of Odisha: A Descriptive Catalogue (circa Fourth Century to Sixteenth Century CE)*. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld, n°41, pp. 338-339.
<figure><img src="image_10.png" /><figcaption>Figure 5. Gañjam plates of Śatrubhañja Tribhuvanakalaśa, year 198.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/vt150s87x

## 6. PLATE OF VINĪTATUṆGA

Identifier: INSTunga00001.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): not in the catalogue.

Dynasty: Tuṅgas.

Description: A single plate with a seal attached; portrait format.

Provenance: probably issued from Mahāparvata, Odisha.

Content: Gift land. <fnref n="2" />

Language: Sanskrit (mixed prose and verse).

Number of inscribed faces: 2.

Total number of lines: 31 (recto 22 /verso 9).

<footnote n="2">² Three other grants issued by the king Vinītatuṅga are known: the Khaḍgaprasāda Plate (Tripathy, 2010, n°8, pp. 55-56; Acharya, 2014, n°8, pp. 395-396), the Talcher Plate (Acharya, 2014, n°8, pp. 395-396) and the Bonai Plate (Tripathy, 2010, n°1, pp. 474-475; Acharya, 2014, n°7, pp. 393-394).</footnote>
<table><thead><tr><td></td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>0.828</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>23.3</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>16.3</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.3</td></tr><tr><td>Seal diameter (cm)</td><td>4.63</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the seal (cm)</td><td>2.2</td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_11.png" /><figcaption>Figure 6. Verso of the plate of Vinītatuṅga.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/5x21tq64d

## 7. THREE FRAGMENTARY COPPER PLATES FROM NARLA

Identifier: INS_NARLA_00001.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 7.

Dynasty: Unknown.

Description: a fragmentary plate engraved on one side, two fragmentary pieces of a single copper plate engraved on one side and a single plate with a hole engraved on both sides; seal and ring missing; landscape format.
Provenance: Narla, Odisha.

Content: Unknown.

Language: Sanskrit.

Number of inscribed faces: 4.

Total number of lines: 20 (fragmentary plate: 5; two fragmentary pieces of a single copper plate: 5; single plate: recto 5/ verso 5).

<table><thead><tr><td>Fragmentary plate</td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>0.037</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>4.9</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>7.5</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.25</td></tr><tr><td>Hole diameter (cm)</td><td>1.2</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><td>Two fragmentary pieces</td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>0.016 + 0.029</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>5.7</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>5 + 6</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.2</td></tr><tr><td>Hole diameter (cm)</td><td>0.99</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><td>Single plate</td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>0.106</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>16.2</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.31</td></tr><tr><td>Seal diameter (cm)</td><td>1.08</td></tr></tbody></table>
<figure><img src="image_12.png" /><figcaption>Figure 7. Two fragmentary pieces of a plate from Narla.</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_13.png" /><figcaption>Figure 8. Fragmentary plate and single plate from Narla.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/t722hj248
8. SAMBALPUR UNIVERSITY MUSEUM
PLATES OF RAÑABHAÑJA, YEAR 52

Identifier: INSKhinjaliMandalaBhanja00004.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 1.

Dynasty: Bhañjas of Khiñjali-Manḍala.

Description: A set of three plates; seal and ring missing; landscape format.

Provenance: Somewhere in the Bolangir District, Odisha.

Content: Gift of a village to Bhaṭṭa Baladeva by the reigning king Raṇabhañjadeva.

Language: Sanskrit (mixed prose and verse).

Number of inscribed faces: 5.

Total number of lines: 42 (Plate 1: 8; Plate 2: recto 8/verso 9; Plate 3: recto 9/verso 8).

<table><thead><tr><td>Measurements</td><td>Minimum</td><td>Maximum</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight of the set (kg)</td><td>2.486</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Weight by plate (kg)</td><td>0.749</td><td>0.870</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>11.6</td><td>11.8</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>22.4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.34</td><td>0.42</td></tr><tr><td>Hole diameter (cm)</td><td>1.34</td><td>1.37</td></tr></tbody></table>

References:

- Sahu, J.K. 1978. *New Aspects of History of Orissa, vol. II*. Sambalpur: Sambalpur University, pp.5-13.

- Tripathy, Snigdha. 2010. *Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of Orissan Inscriptions*. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, n°2, pp. 447.

- Acharya, Subrata Kumar. 2014. *Copper-Plate Inscriptions of Odisha: A Descriptive Catalogue (circa Fourth Century to Sixteenth Century CE)*. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld, n°20, pp. 313-314.
<figure><img src="image_14.png" /><figcaption>Figure 9. First plate of the Sambalpur University Museum plates of Raṇabhañja, year 52.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/nc580w13g

## 9. TALCHER COPPER PLATE CHARTER OF GAYĀĐATUÑGA

Identifier: INSTunga00002.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 4.

Dynasty: Tuṅgas.

Description: A single plate with a seal attached; portrait format.

Provenance: Talcher, Dhenkanal District, Odisha.

Content: Gift of a village to Bhaṭṭa Bhainadeva by Gayāḍatuṅga.

Language: Sanskrit (mixed prose and verse).

Number of inscribed faces: 2.

Total number of lines: 38 (recto 19 /verso 19).

<table><thead><tr><td></td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>0.541</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>9.1</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>17.5</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.34</td></tr><tr><td>Seal diameter (cm)</td><td>3.1</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the seal (cm)</td><td>2.24</td></tr></table>

References:

- Sircar, D. C. *Annual report on Indian epigraphy for 1958-59*. Delhi: Government of India, CP n°15.

- Sircar, D.C. 1961-62. "Grant of Gayāḍatuṅga", in *Epigraphia Indica*, vol. XXXIV, n°15, pp. 93-96.

- Tripathy, Snigdha. 2010. *Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of Orissan Inscriptions*. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, n°10, pp. 58.

- Acharya, Subrata Kumar. 2014. *Copper-Plate Inscriptions of Odisha: A Descriptive Catalogue (circa Fourth Century to Sixteenth Century CE)*. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld, n°3, pp. 388-389.

<figure><img src="image_15.png" /><figcaption>Figure 10. Talcher copper plate charter of Gayāḍatuṅga.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/wh247149j

## 10. A COPPER PLATE CHARTER OF ŚRĪMADMAHĀRĀJABHAÑJA

Identifier: INSBhanja00001.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 10.
Dynasty: Bhañjas.

Description: A set of three plates with an oblong seal and a ring; landscape format.

Provenance: Somewhere in the Bolangir District, Odisha.

Content: Unknown. Tentative reading of the seal legend: śrīmadmahārājabhañja.

Language: Sanskrit (mixed prose and verse).

Number of inscribed faces: 4.

Total number of lines: 27 (Plate 1: 6; Plate 2: recto 7/verso 7; Plate 3: 7).

<table><thead><tr><td>Measurements</td><td>Minimum</td><td>Maximum</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight of the set (kg)</td><td>0.383</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>5.5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>15.4</td><td>15.5</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.28</td><td>0.31</td></tr><tr><td>Hole diameter (cm)</td><td>1.18</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Seal diameter (cm)</td><td>1.98</td><td>2.55</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the seal (cm)</td><td>2.33</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_16.png" /><figcaption>Figure 11. A copper plate charter of Śrīmadmahārājabhañja.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/2514nv332
## 11. KUMARI-SIMHA COPPER PLATE GRANT OF SOMEŚVARADEVA

Identifier: INSTeluguCoda00001.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 5.

Dynasty: Telugu Coḍas.

Description: A set of three plates with a complete ring and a casket-shaped cylinder crowned by a couchant lion with its mouth opened and tongue thrust out; landscape format.<fnref n="3" />

Provenance: Odisha.

Content: Unknown (closed with usual benedictive and exhortative stanzas).

Language: Sanskrit (mixed prose and verse).

Number of inscribed faces: 4.

Total number of lines: 36 (Plate 1: 8; Plate 2: recto 9/verso 9; Plate 3: 10).

<table><thead><tr><td>Measurements</td><td>Minimum</td><td>Maximum</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight of the set (kg)</td><td>1.750</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>11.8</td><td>12.3</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>24.3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.32</td><td>0.36</td></tr><tr><td>Hole diameter (cm)</td><td>1.2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Seal diameter<sup>4</sup> (cm)</td><td>3.3</td><td>4.7</td></tr><tr><td>Ring diameter (cm)</td><td>7.6</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

### References:

- Ramdas, G. 1946-1947. "Kumari-simha Copper Plate Grant of Chola-Kula Somesvaradeva", in *Journal of Kalinga Historical Research*. Vol 1(3), pp.229-236.

- Tripathy, Snigdha. 2010. *Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of Orissan Inscriptions*. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, n°16, pp. 470-471.

- Acharya, Subrata Kumar. 2014. *Copper-Plate Inscriptions of Odisha: A Descriptive Catalogue (circa Fourth Century to Sixteenth Century CE)*. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld, n°1, pp. 419-420.

<footnote n="3">³ The other sets issued by a king named Someśvara are the Patna Museum plates of Someśvara, year 17 (Acharya 2014, n°2, pp. 421-422) and the Mahaḍā copper plate charter of Someśvaravarman, year 23 (Tripathy 2010, n°17, pp.471-472, Acharya 2014, n°3, pp.422-423).</footnote>

<footnote n="4">⁴ The seal is a lion figure (see Figure 12).</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_17.png" /><figcaption>Figure 12. Lion seal attached to the copperplate set probably of Someśvaradeva.</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_18.png" /><figcaption>Figure 13. Copperplate set probably of Someśvaradeva.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/2227mz41h
12. ODIA COPPER PLATE OF MUKUNDADEVA

Identifier: INSMukunda00001.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): None.

Dynasty: unknown.

Description: A single plate with a seal attached; portrait format. There is another plate issued by this person: the Khallikot Copper Plate Grant of the time of Mukundadeva preserved at the Odisha State Museum.<fnref n="5" /> The measurements of the two plates are almost the same, but here the plate is decorated by a drawing. To go further, it should be necessary to compare the two plates. Tripathy (2010: 231) dates the Khallikot Grant about the seventeenth century.

Provenance: Odisha.

Content: Unknown.

Language: probably Oriya.

Number of inscribed faces: 1.

Total number of lines: 15.

<table><thead><tr><td></td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>0.185</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>16.1</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>10.4</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.11</td></tr><tr><td>Seal diameter (cm)</td><td>2.8 x 1.6</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the seal (cm)</td><td>0.11</td></tr></tbody></table>

<footnote n="5">⁵ For more details on this plate, see Tripathy, Snigdha. 2010. *Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of Orissan Inscriptions*. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, n°55, pp. 231.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_19.png" /></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/qz20t254q

## 13. UNIDENTIFIED COPPER PLATE WITH A PEACOCK

Identifier: INSUnidentifiedSambalpur00001.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): None.<fnref n="6" />

Dynasty: unknown.

Description: A single plate without a seal; landscape format. A peacock is engraved on one side. The label attached to this copper plate in the show case gives the following information: "Copper Plate of Bhanja King; Pitamber Sing Deo, given on 02/01/1986; Material: copper; Findspot: Sibtila; Period: San 1771; Acc. No.16".

Provenance: Odisha.

Content: Unknown.

Language: probably Odia.

Number of inscribed faces: 2.

<footnote n="6">⁶ The accession number indicated in the showcase of the museum (16) does not match the description of the object bearing this accession number in Padhan's catalogue.</footnote>
Total number of lines: 20 (Peacock side: 6; other side: 12).

<table><thead><tr><td></td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>0.738</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>22.2</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.38</td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_20.png" /><figcaption>Figure 14. Unidentified copper plate with a peacock.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/hx11xp98s

## 14. SIRKATA COPPER PLATE GRANT OF MAHĀRĀJA NARAYAN SINGH OF SAMBALPUR

Identifier: INSChauhan00001.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 6.

Dynasty: Chauhan.
Description: A single plate with a flat seal; portrait format. A geometric drawing on the top and the middle of the plate.<fnref n="7" /> The label attached to this copper plate in the show case gives the following information: "Sirkata Copper Plate Grant of Narayan Singh; Material: copper; Findspot: Sirkata; Period: Last part of the 19th century A.D., 1901 A.D.<fnref n="8" />; Acc. No.6".

Provenance: Sirkata, Bargarh district, Odisha.

Content: Gift of a village by the last Mahārāja of Sambalpur of the Chauhan dynasty.

Language: Odia.

Number of inscribed faces: 2.

Total number of lines: 25 (recto: 16; verso: 9).

<table><thead><tr><td></td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>0.471</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>19.7</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.26</td></tr></tbody></table>

References:

- Das, G.S. and De, S.C., 1953. "Bargarh copper plate of Maharaja Narayan Singh of Sambalpur", in *Orissa Historical Research Journal*, Vol. 2, n°3-4, pp.25-34.

- Sahu, Sita, 2019. « Sirkata Copper Plate: Revisited», in *International Journal of Research and Analytics Reviews*, Vol. 6, issue 1, pp.707-709. Link to the pdf: http://ijrar.com/upload issue/ijrar issue_20543045.pdf.

<footnote n="7">⁷ The copperplate grant of Jayanta Simha and the copperplate grant of Rajyeśvarī Ratna-Kumarī, the Patta Mahishi (chief queen) of Jayanta Simha (Acharya, B.P., 1953, "Two copper plate grants from the village Themra in the Sambalpur district", in *The Orissa Historical Journal*, vol.2 n°1, pp.47-57) bear both the same geometrical symbol.</footnote>

<footnote n="8">⁸ It seems to refer to Samvat 1901 from the Vikrama aera because the donor has ruled from 1833 to 1849.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_21.png" /><figcaption>Figure 15. Sirkata copper plate grant of Mahārāja Narayan Singh of Sambalpur.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/bn999g653

## 15. COPPER PLATE GRANT OF PRITHVI SING, MAHĀRĀJA OF SONEPUR

Identifier: INSChauhan00002.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 9.<fnref n="9" />

Dynasty: Chauhan.

Description: A single plate without seal; landscape format. A moon and a sun are drawn on the left and on the bottom of one side of the plate; on the same side, there is a geometric drawing on the left and on the bottom.<fnref n="10" /> The label attached to this copper plate in the show case gives the following information: “Copper Plate of Prithvi Sing, Raja of Sonepur (single plate) given on 02/01/1986; Material: copper; Findspot: Tulunda (Tarabha); Period: 18th-19th Century A.D. Acc. No.15”.

Provenance: Tulunda (Tarabha), Odisha.

<footnote n="9">⁹ The accession number indicated in the showcase of the museum (15) does not match the description of the object bearing this accession number in Padhan's catalogue.</footnote>

<footnote n="10">¹⁰ The geometric drawing on the bottom looks like the one drawn on the Sirkata copper plate grant of Mahārāja Narayan Singh of Sambalpur (N°14 in this catalogue).</footnote>
Content: Unknown.

Language: Odia.

Number of inscribed faces: 2.

Total number of lines: 20 (recto: 10; verso: 10).

<table><thead><tr><td></td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Weight (kg)</td><td>0.890</td></tr><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>11.4</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>20.6</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the rim (cm)</td><td>0.42</td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_22.png" /><figcaption>Figure 16. Copper plate grant of Prithvi Sing, Mahārāja of Sonepur.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/3t946079f
# APPENDIX
A. SONEPUR STONE INSCRIPTION OF
BHĀNUDEVA (PROBABLY 1268 AD)

Identifier. INSGanga00101.<fnref n="11" />

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 18.

Dynasty: Imperial Gaṅgas.

Description: A vertical stone slab in a portrait format but the inscribed surface is a rectangle in a landscape format (30 x 62 cm); two *triśula* symbols are represented on the top on the left and the right.

Provenance: Lying in the front of the temple of Kambheśvarī/Stambheśvarī, Sonepur town, Sonepur district, Odisha.

Content: Gift of twelve villages in favour of the god Vaidyanātha by the king Śrī-Vīra-Bhānudeva.

Language: Odia.

Number of inscribed faces: 1.

Total number of lines: 8.

<table><thead><tr><td></td><td>Measurements (surface engraved)</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>149</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>62</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the stone (cm)</td><td>17</td></tr></tbody></table>

References:

- Sircar, D.C. 1957-1958. "Sonepur Inscription of Bhānudeva", in *Epigraphia Indica*, vol. 32, n°39, pp.325-328.

- Tripathy, Snigdha. 2010. *Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of Orissan Inscriptions*. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors, n°1, pp. 473.

<footnote n="11">¹¹ Another stone inscription mentioning the royal name Bhānudeva is known: Mārkaṇḍeśvara temple inscription of the time of Bhānudeva, year 14 (Tripathy, 2010, n°60 p. 427).</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_23.png" /><figcaption>Figure 17. Khambeśvari stone inscription of Bhānudeva.</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/5x21tq70j

## B. STONE INSCRIPTION OF RĀMA DEVA, FIRST CHAUHAN RĀJA OF PATNA STATE

Identifier: INSChauhan00003.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 17.<fnref n="12" />

Dynasty: Chauhans.

Description: A vertical stone slab in a portrait format but the inscribed surface is a rectangle in a landscape format (19 x 53 cm); a *dharmacakra* symbol is represented on the top of the stone. The label attached to this stone in the exhibition gives the following information: “Inscription of Ramai Deva, 1st Chauhan Raja of Patna State; Findspot: Patnagarh; Period: 14th century A.D.; Accession number: 9”.

Provenance: Patnagarh, Odisha.

<footnote n="12">¹² The accession number indicated in the exhibition (9) does not match the description of the object bearing this accession number in Padhan's catalogue.</footnote>
Content: Unknown.

Language: Sanskrit in proto-Oriya script.

Number of inscribed faces: 1.

Total number of lines: 5 or 6.

<table><thead><tr><td></td><td>Measurements</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>101</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>53</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the stone (cm)</td><td>25</td></tr></tbody></table>
<figure><img src="image_24.png" /><figcaption>Figure 18. Stone inscription of Rāmadeva, first Chauhan rāja of Patna state.</figcaption></figure>
C. STATE INSCRIPTION OF JĀJALLA DEVA (?)

Identifier: INSKalachuri00001.

Accession number (Padhan 2011): 17.<fnref n="13" />

Dynasty: Kalachuris.<fnref n="14" />

Description: A fragmentary vertical stone; portrait format; inscribed surface 53 x 23 cm. The label attached to this stone in the exhibition gives the following information: “State Inscription of Jajalla Deva, 1st Chauhan Raja of Patna State; Findspot: Patnagarh; Period: 14th century A.D.; Accession number: 9”.

Provenance: Bamragarh State, Odisha.

Content: Unknown.

Language: not deciphered.

Number of inscribed faces: 1.

Total number of lines: 5 or 6.

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>Measurements</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Height (cm)</td><td>101</td></tr><tr><td>Width (cm)</td><td>53</td></tr><tr><td>Depth of the stone (cm)</td><td>25</td></tr></tbody></table>

<footnote n="13">¹³ The accession number indicated in the exhibition (9) does not match the description of the object bearing this accession number in Padhan's catalogue.</footnote>

<footnote n="14">¹⁴ Five stone inscriptions issued by Jājalladeva I are edited by Mirashi, V.V. in the *Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum* (1955), vol.4, part 2, under the numbers 77 to 81, pp.409-423.</footnote>
<figure><img src="image_25.png" /><figcaption>Figure 19. State Inscription of Jājalladeva (?).</figcaption></figure>

Link to the photos: https://didomena.ehess.fr/concern/data_sets/0z709564s
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Acharya, B.P. 1953, "Two copper plate grants from the village Themra in the Sambalpur district", in *The Orissa Historical Journal*, vol.2 n°1, pp.47-57.

Acharya, Subrata Kumar. 2013. "Ruchida plates of Mahābhavagupta, year 8." *Journal of the Epigraphical Society of India*, n° 39, pp. 26-42.

------------------------------------. 2014. *Copper-Plate Inscriptions of Odisha: A Descriptive Catalogue (circa Fourth Century to Sixteenth Century CE)*. New Delhi: D. K. Printworld.

Das, G.S. and De, S.C., 1953. "Bargarh copper plate of Maharaja Narayan Singh of Sambalpur", in *Orissa Historical Research Journal*, Vol. 2, n°3-4, pp.25-34.

Lakshminarayan Rao, N. 1950-1951. *Annual report on Indian epigraphy for 1950-51*. Delhi: Government of India, CP n°22.

Mirashi, V.V. 1955. *Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum*, vol.4, part 2, pp.409-423.

Nayak, P. K. 2012. "A Vigraha Grant Discovered from Baragaon" in S.V. Padigar and V. Shivananda (eds.), *Pratnakirti: Recent Studies in Indian Epigraphy, History, Archaeology and Art: Essays in Honour of Prof. Shrinivas Ritti*. Vol. 1, New Delhi: pp. 72-78.

Padhan, B. 2011. *Catalogue of Prof. N.K. Sahu Museum*. P.G. Department of History, Sambalpur University.

Ramdas, G. 1946-1947. "Kumari-simha Copper Plate Grant of Chola-Kula Somesvaradeva", in *Journal of Kalinga Historical Research*. Vol 1(3), pp.229-236.

Sahu, Sita, 2019. « Sirkata Copper Plate: Revisited», in *International Journal of Research and Analytics Reviews*, Vol. 6, issue 1, pp.707-709. Link to the pdf: http://ijrar.com/upload issue/ijrar issue 20543045.pdf.

Sircar, D.C. 1957-1958. "Sonepur Inscription of Bhānudeva", in *Epigraphia Indica*, vol. 32, n°39, pp.325-328.

------------------------------------. 1958-1959. *Annual report on Indian epigraphy for 1958-59*. Delhi: Government of India, CP n°15.

------------------------------------. 1961-62. "Grant of Gayāḍatuṅga", in *Epigraphia Indica*, vol. XXXIV, n°15, pp. 93-96.
Sahu, J.K. 1978. *New Aspects of History of Orissa, vol. II*. Sambalpur: Sambalpur University, pp.5-13.

Shastri, Ajay Mitra. 1995. *Inscriptions of the Śarabhapurīyas, Pāṇḍuvaṁśins and Somavaṁśins, Part II: Inscriptions*. Delhi: Indian Council of Historical Research and Motilal Bandarsidass.

Tripathy, Snigdha. 1974. *Inscriptions of Orissa, vol. 6: Epigraphs of the Bhañja kings, 8th through 12th centuries*. Bhubaneswar: Government of Orissa

------------------. 2010. *Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of Orissan Inscriptions*. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors.