Inscriptions of Govindacandra Hari Candana in the Fort of Langalaveni
By Lakshmi Narayan Harichandan Jagadeb
Summary
This short piece presents several inscriptions attributed to Govindacandra Hari Candana, a regional ruler in eastern India. The records are inscribed on copperplates and temple walls and include land grants to Brahmins and endowments for temples. The article transcribes the Sanskrit texts, translates them and comments on the script, which resembles eastern Nagari and dates the records to the twelfth century. Genealogical sections trace Govindacandra’s lineage and titles, suggesting he was a semi‑independent feudatory during a period of political fragmentation. One inscription details the boundaries and tax exemptions of a donated village, while another commemorates the construction of a shrine and lists priests responsible for rituals. By comparing these records with other regional inscriptions, the author reconstructs aspects of local administration and religious patronage. The article emphasises that such minor inscriptions, though easily overlooked, provide valuable evidence for regional history in Orissa and Bengal.
Conclusion
The inscriptions of Govindacandra Hari Candana, though brief, open a window onto local politics and religious life in twelfth‑century eastern India. They illuminate patterns of land grants and temple patronage and underscore the importance of publishing epigraphic material for reconstructing regional histories.