ધુવસેન પહેલાનું તામ્રપત્ર (વી.สં. ૨૦૬)
By Unexhibited
Summary
This Gujarati article examines an early copperplate charter attributed to King Dhruvasena, dated to Vikram Samvat 206. The author reproduces the text of the plate, which records a land grant or donation, and provides a transliteration and translation. The analysis situates the document within the broader context of epigraphic evidence for early Indian polity and administration. It discusses the formulaic structure of copperplate charters, including invocations, grant details, donor and donee information, and legal provisions. The author compares the language and script of this plate with other inscriptions from the period, noting peculiarities in orthography and vocabulary. The article also examines the historical significance of the grant: by identifying place-names and individuals mentioned, the author reconstructs aspects of local governance, agricultural practices and patterns of patronage. The article argues that such charters offer valuable insight into the socio-economic conditions of the time, revealing how rulers exercised authority and negotiated relationships with religious institutions and communities. It calls for systematic documentation and analysis of similar plates preserved in archives and temples.
Conclusion
The study of Dhruvasena’s copperplate underscores the importance of epigraphy for understanding early Indian history. Through careful reading and contextualisation, the author extracts information on land grants, administrative procedures and socio-political relations. The article highlights the need to preserve and critically publish copperplate inscriptions to enrich our knowledge of regional history and law.