Two Copperplate Charters of the Haihaya king Prthvideva II of the Cedi years 900 and 905
By Hiralal Jain
Summary
The two copperplate charters of Haihaya king Prthvideva II, dated to the Cedi years 900 and 905, were discovered in the village of Amodd, Janjgir tehsil, Central Provinces. Weighing 267 tolas and 238 tolas respectively, the plates feature well-formed Devangari script with variations in letter size and orthographical peculiarities, including the use of छत for "va" and dental sibilants for palatals. The charters contain Sanskrit verses with prose sections for salutations, dates, and engraver details. The 900 CE charter (Plate A) includes 21 verses detailing the genealogy of the donor, a Brahmin named Devasarma, and grants him the village of Avala during a lunar eclipse in Caitra 900 (corresponding to 1149 CE). The 905 CE charter (Plate B) grants the village of Budubudi to Devasarma’s brothers under similar conditions, dated to a Tuesday in Bright Ashvina 905 (1194 CE). Both charters share identical genealogical sections but differ in grant specifics, with Plate B’s text showing minor variations and repetitions avoided in Plate A. The villages Avala and Budubudi are likely located in the Madhyamandala region, near the former capital of Tumana. Orthographical inconsistencies, such as misplaced vowels and confused characters (e.g., 6 for na), are noted, attributed to engraver errors. The charters provide insights into the Haihaya dynasty’s administrative practices and regional geography, with the villages possibly named
Conclusion
These copperplate charters of Haihaya king Prthvideva II, dated to 900 and 905 CE, provide critical insights into the genealogy, land grants, and administrative practices of the Haihaya dynasty during the Cedi era. The documents exhibit remarkable consistency in their Sanskrit verses, particularly in the shared genealogical sections, while demonstrating subtle variations in grant details and imprecatory quotations. The engraving quality and orthographical peculiarities, such as the use of छत for va and ઠંડ, reflect contemporary epigraphic conventions. Notably, the charters' structural differences—such as verse alignment and the unique final benediction—highlight the scribes' adaptability. Their historical significance lies in illuminating the political and social frameworks of the Haihaya kingdom, offering a window into the period's administrative and religious practices through meticulously crafted royal inscriptions.