Grant of Isvararata Inscription-77

Written by Alok Mohan on September 13, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized

Inscription Number 77:-
Kalachhala Fragmentary Copper-plate Grant of Isvararata.
Provanance: Kalachhala, near Karali,
16 kms, west of Chhota Udaipur, Kathiawar. Kathiawar is a peninsula and part of Saurashtra region on the Arabian Sea coast of Gujrat.
It is surrounded on the north by the wetland of the Rann of Kutch, on the northwest by the Gulf of Kutch, on the west and south by the Arabian Sea, and on the southeast and east by the Gulf of Khambhat.
Kathiawar, gets its name from the prominence of the kathi people.
Script: West Indian variety of the South-Indian Brahmi of about the second half of the 4th century AD.
Language: Sanskrit.
References: Professor Pandya, Vallabha Vidyanagar Research Bulletin.I, No 2, International Language Section, pp-2, and 28, V.V. Mirashi, C.I.I., IV, pp.603-4,
D.C. Sircar, Ep.Ind., XXXIII, pp.- 303-6.
Foot note 1
Only the first plate of the set has been discovered.
Prof. Pandya (op.cit,Pl.2 and 28), following Mirashi
(ABORI, XXV. pp159 f and C.I.I,. IV, pp.5ff ) considers Isvararata to have been a feudatory of, Abhiras in the 4th century A.D.
The feudatories (including those enjoying a semi-independent status) and subordinate allies of the early monarchs enjoyed the title Maharaja and were often called Paramabhattaraka-pad-anudhyata, i.e. meditating on or favoured by the feet of the overlord.
D.C sircar however, rejects
this view on the ground that the title, Paramabhattaraka of the overlord and official designations Kumaramatya,
uparika and viniyuktaka as also Hastyasvavyaprita, are
not known in the records of the Gupta age. Records are known, where the Gupta sovereign was refered to only
as Bhattaraka or Paramabhattaraka without mentioning his name.
Samudragupta (335- 76 A.D.) defeated the Aryavarta ruler Rudradeva, who has been identified with the Saka ruler Rudrasena 3, of western India. The abeence of Rudrasena’s coins for the period 351 to 364 A.D., indicates
occupation of his territory during this period by the Guptas. Later he recovered his territory from them,
necessitating reconquest of Western India by Chandragupta 2, (376-413 A.D.)Sircar is inclined to accept
Isvararata as a feudatory of the Guptas either during Samuaragupta’s occupation of saka territory or after
reoccupation by Chandragupta 2.
English Translation of the inscription
Om ! Peace ! From prachakasa Isvararata always in the thoughts of the His Supreme Majesty, being in good health advises his all Ayuktakas viniayuktakas, kumaramatyas, Uparikas, dandikas, dandapasikas, chatas, bhatas etc. assigned to the elephants, horses and people, assembled in the village of Vedhyakupika, situated in the vankika-patta, and the villagers headed by brahmanas, after enquiring about their well-being.

Footnote-2
1. From the facsimile in Ep-Ind XXXIII, pp -303-6.
2. Expressed by a symbol.
3. Sircar ईश्वररात
4. Vankika-patta, according to Sircar may be wankaner in Kathiawar.
Prachakasa and Vedhyakupika cannot be identified.
5. The word can be completed as बोधयति It is clear that the village Vedhyakupika was being donated to one or more brahmanas, whose names figured in the Lost plates. This is the earliest extent copper-plate charter of the usual type so far discovered in Northern India. It appears to be earlier than the
Dhanaidaha plate (Supra, No.II, 16 ) of Kumaragupta 1, of the Gupta year 113 ( =432 AD), which till now was
regarded as the earliest such genuine record.

Alok Mohan

The admin, Alok Mohan, is a graduate mechanical engineer & possess following post graduate specializations:- M Tech Mechanical Engineering Production Engineering Marine engineering Aeronautical Engineering Computer Sciences Software Engineering Specialization He has authored several articles/papers, which are published in various websites & books. Studium Press India Ltd has published one of his latest contributions “Standardization of Education” as a senior author in a book along with many other famous writers of international repute. Alok Mohan has held important positions in both Govt & Private organisations as a Senior professional & as an Engineer & possess close to four decades accomplished experience. As an aeronautical engineer, he ensured accident incident free flying. As leader of indian team during early 1990s, he had successfully ensured smooth induction of Chukar III PTA with Indian navy as well as conduct of operational training. As an aeronautical engineer, he was instrumental in establishing major aircraft maintenance & repair facilities. He is a QMS, EMS & HSE consultant. He provides consultancy to business organisations for implimentation of the requirements of ISO 45001 OH & S, ISO 14001 EMS & ISO 9001 QMS, AS 9100, AS9120 Aero Space Standards. He is a qualified ISO 9001 QMS, ISO 14001 EMS, ISO 45001 OH & S Lead Auditor (CQI/IRCA recognised certification courses) & HSE Consultant. He is a qualified Zed Master Trainer & Zed Assessor. He has thorough knowledge of six sigma quality concepts & has also been awarded industry 4, certificate from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Knowledge Hub Training Platform  He is a Trainer, a Counselor, an Advisor and a Competent professional of cross functional exposures. He has successfully implimented requirements of various international management system standards in several organizations. He is a dedicated technocrat with expertise in Quality Assurance & Quality Control, Facility Management, General Administration, Marketing, Security, Training, Administration etc. He is a graduate mechanical engineer with specialization in aeronautical engineering. He is always eager to be involved in imparting training, implementing new ideas and improving existing processes by utilizing his vast experience.