The Bhojas of Goa

Written by Alok Mohan on November 29, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized

The bhojas of Goa.
Inscription number 79.
Bhojas of Goa ruled Konkan and Karnataka from 3rd century AD to the 6th century.  Goa had come under the political sway of the Bhojas who ruled this territory in feudal allegiance to the Mauryan emperor of Pataliputra. The capital of Bhoja kingdom was  Chandrapura (Modern Chandor) in Goa.
Siroda Plates of Devajaja.
Provenance: Siroda de Ponda, Goa.
Script: Archaic variety of the Southern Class of Brahmi, resemblng closely the script of Kondamudi plates
of Jayavarman ( Ep.Ind, VI, pp.315 ff, & Pals) and:resemblng somewhat Mydavolu plates of Pallava
Sivaskandavarman ( ibid, pp84 ff. and Pls.)
Language: Sanskrit interspersed with Prakrit expressions.
References: Pandurango Pissurlencar, o oriente Portugues,
(Portugese language)1934; C.R. Krishnamacharlu, Ep.Ind. XXIV,
pp.143-45.
The concept of naming Devaraja, was very common in Southeast Asian kingdoms and enabled the monarch to claim his divine authority which was helpful to him for maintaining social and economic order as well as political stability.
Under the influence of the Sanatna dharma scholars many kingdoms adopted the concept of devaraja.
In the Barah inscription of his descendant Mihira Bhoja, Devaraja name appears as Devashakti. Maharajahdhiraja Devaraja was younger son of Nagabhata. He had defeated his enemies and destroyed their kingdoms, and had extend his kingdom towards south-west. He was also able to maintain the territories he had inherited. Devaraja was a devotee of Vishnu. He was married to Bhuyika-devi, and was succeeded by his son Vatsaraja.
Devaraja means that the king was a divine universal ruler and a real manifestation of Bhagawan and was often attributed to Shiva or Vishnu.Footnote 1.
1. This record represents the period of transition from the epoch of Prakrit records to that of the Sanskrit ones.
To this transitional period also belongs the Mattepad plates of Damodaravarman ( Ep.Ind, XVII, pp 327 ff, Infra, III,32)
It should be assigned to the period following the age of the Prakrit charters of the Pallavas. R. B. Krishna
Sastri has ascribed the Mattepad plates to about the 4th century A.D.
2. From the facsimile in Ep.Ind. XXIV, facing pp.145.
3. Expressed by the usual spiral symbol.
4. N.L. Rao corrected the reading गोमिनां  to भोजानां
( Ep.India,  XXVI, pp337 ff)
Second Plate Second Side.
Footnote 2.
1. स्थाम्य is a mistake either for स्थान्य  or  ग्राम्य.   ग्राम्य stands for villagers, in which sense other Inscriptions have the word
ग्रामिक (C I.I., III, pp-112, n.) and ग्रामेयक
(Ep.Ind,. XVII, pp-327) while स्थान्य corresponds to स्थानाधिकरणिका (Ep.Ind,.
III, pp. 323) and स्थानाधिकृता ( ibid.. VI 135 n.) of the other inscriptions. meaning local officials.
2.  According to Pissurlencar (Ep.Ind,. XXIV, pp.145)
Chandrapura is modern chandor off Goa; and Thanniyarka-Kottihkayya is Tanem-Kuttal in Salsette. Jiyaya,
indicating a territorial division. acoording to him, may be represented by Salsette.
English Translation of the inscription.
Om Hail !  From the victorious and prosperous city of Chandrapura. At the command of Devaraja of (the family of) the BHOJAS, the future Bhogikas, Ayuktakas, local officials and others be told:- Whatever income arises from the turn out (i.e Produce) of the village of Thaniyarka-Kottihkayya in the county or division of Jiyaya, or from imports (anitena) to it, has been granted by the
Bhogikamatya Prabhunaga for the increase of his religious
merit to Govinda svamin and Indrasvamin both of bharadvaja
gotra also are granted, a house site and two extensive (atatau) cow – pastures.
Arrangements for herding of cows
(go-prachara) Grass, fuel-wood, etc   should also be properly fixed.
Whosoever whether belonging to our family or an outsider, damages it out of infatuation, hostility, greed
or ignorance, may be joined to the five great sins and the
minor sins and it has been said:-
Here follows two of the customary verses)
Executor of the charter is the very pious and truthful Amaresvara, the Superintendent of all the Departments.
The Plate was written by Prabhakara, the Confidential Secretay
at the command of Devaraja, who is like the king of gods, in the twelfth victorious and prosperous year of the reign, on the twelfth day of the dark fortnight of Magha. May the
bearer, the reader and the listener be blessed.

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.