The Baud Charter of Kanakabhanja
By Charu Chandra Das Gupta
Summary
This article examines a copper‑plate charter attributed to King Kanakabhanja, a ruler of the Bhauma‑Kara or Bhanja dynasty of Orissa. The charter records a land grant made at the request of a royal official and includes a genealogy tracing the king’s lineage and asserting his authority. The author reviews earlier analyses by scholars who questioned the charter’s authenticity, noting palaeographic inconsistencies and unusual formulations. He provides a fresh transcription and translation of the inscription, compares it with other Bhanja charters, and argues that although some orthographic features are anachronistic, the overall content aligns with known historical contexts of the 7th–8th centuries. The inscription mentions localities, administrative divisions and ritual donations that correspond to other regional records. By situating the charter within the succession of Bhanja rulers and cross‑referencing with Chinese pilgrim accounts and temple inscriptions, the article suggests that the document sheds light on the lesser‑known Bhanja polity and its interactions with neighbouring powers. It highlights the importance of charters not only as legal deeds but also as instruments of royal ideology and historical memory.
Conclusion
The author concludes that while some doubts about the Baud charter’s details remain, it should not be dismissed as a forgery. When read critically alongside other inscriptions, it contributes to reconstructing the genealogy and territorial reach of the Kanakabhanja dynasty. The study underscores the need for cautious palaeographic analysis and encourages the discovery and publication of additional charters to clarify the chronology of early medieval Orissa.