Maharaja Candavarman of the Komarti plates

Summary

This epigraphic note re-examines the identity of Maharaja Candavarman, the issuer of the Komarti copper-plate grant, and contends that he does not belong to the Salankayana dynasty, as previously thought. The author compares the Komarti charter with inscriptions of the Salankayana kings Devavarman and Hastivarman and finds significant differences. In the Komarti plates, Candavarman is styled “Maharaja” and his genealogy is presented with unique names and formulas, while Salankayana charters use the imperial-sounding title Maharajadhiraja and distinct genealogical expressionsfile:///home/oai/share/Maharaja_Candavarman_of_the_Komarti_plates.pdf. The Komarti grant is issued from Pishtapura (Pithapuram) in the Eastern Deccan, whereas Salankayana records originate from Vengipura. The grant also mentions a region called Kakati-hrada, unknown in Salankayana context. The article examines linguistic peculiarities and donation formulas, noting that the Komarti document refers to the land’s boundaries using local toponyms not found in Salankayana grants. It further cites the Chicacole grant, which refers to a Candavarman ruling in the Kalinga area, supporting the idea of a separate Candavarman dynastyfile:///home/oai/share/Maharaja_Candavarman_of_the_Komarti_plates.pdf#:~:text=It%20must%20be%20noted%20that,. The author argues that the Komarti plates belong to a hitherto unrecognised line of Kalinga kings centred on Pithapuram. This dynasty may have emerged after the decline of the Ikshvakus and before the rise of the Eastern Gangas. The article concludes by calling for a more careful study of regional charters to avoid misattribution of dynastic affiliations.