Kanukollu Plates of Skandavarman

Written by Alok Mohan on January 8, 2023. Posted in Uncategorized

Inscription number 38.
Kanukollu Plates of Skandavarman Regnal Year 1.
These copper plates were found alongwith salankayana copper plate in the village of Kanukollu, in 1940.
The plates were discovered near the an old fort.
Various other rare gold and lead coins were also found in the same location.
This charter records the donation of a village of Kompara in Kudarahara district to the Chaturvaidya community who resided in Rathakara. The charter was issued from Vengipura, which has been identified as the modern village of Pedavegi.
Provenance: Kanukollu, Gudivada taluk,
Krishna district, A.P.
Script: Brahmi of the Southern class, closely resembling the characters of Nandi-varman. Kanukollu plates
and other salankayana charters.
Language: Sanskrit.
References: B.V. Krishna Rao, Ep.Ind, XX, pp.7-10.
Footnote 1.

  1. From the facsimile in Ep-Ind XXXI.
  2. The serial numbers of all sides of the plates are engraved in the left margin.
  3. Compare the genealogical list given here with that of the Pedavegi plates of the salankayana king Nandivarman 2, (J A.H.R.S, I, pp.92ff, Successors of the Satavahanas, pp 331ff)

Kanukollu Plates
1, Hastivarman 1

  1. Nandi varman 1
  2. Hastivaman 2.
  3. Skandavarman
    Pedavegi Plates
  4. Hastivarman 1.
  5. Nandivarman 1.
  6. Achanda-varman
  7. Nandi varman 2.
    & younger Sons.
    The last two rulers in both the lists are given the title of Maharaja, indicating that after Nandivarman, the salankayana house was split up into two branches each claiming a sovereign status.
    Achanda-varman, whose coins have also been found, must have
    been the younger brother of Hastivarman 2, as the
    grandfather’s name was customarily given to the eldest grandson. Achandavarman’s title yuva Maharaja in his Dharikatura grant ( Supra IV,L 4) shows that the elder brother, Hastivarman 2, was superceded, leading to his revolt and establishing himself as an independent ruler after his father’s death.
    Maharaja Nandi varman’ s Kanukollu plates (supra IV, 34 ) name Maharajaputa Hatthisami ,.
    and Balaka Maharajakumara Khanda-potta.They evidently are
    identical with Hastivarman and Skandavarman, the son and grandson respectively of Nandivarman in the present charter.
    Footnote 2.
  8. Singular number indicates that chaturvaidya is used here,
    as in tthe Kanukollu plates of Nandivarman (Supra,IV, 343, L13) to specify a particular person. Presumably, there was only one person
    in Rathakara village bearing this surname, rendering it unnecessary to mention his personal name or identification.
    I do not agree with D.C. sircar ( EP.Ind, XXXI, pp.7, n.4, pp.10, n.4) that chaturvaidya in the present grant
    and chaturejja in Kanukollu grant of Nandivarman (Supra, IV, 34, L.13) refer to the community of the chaturvedin Brahmanas, residing at Rathakara”. The noun itself as also all its adjectives used in either charter are in singular.
    The noun and its adjectives should have been in plural form, if the gift was meant for a community. Further, it
    appears that the donee of the present charter was identical with that of the Nandivarman’s charter and
    that Hastivarman’s intervening reign must have been brief.
    English Translation of the inscription.

Hail from the victorious city of Vengi.
At the command of the illlustrious salankayana Maharaja skandavarman,
who meditates on the feet of the holy lord chitraratha, who is devoted to the feet of his royal father, who is a
son of the illlustrious Maharaja Hastivarman, whose glory
was embraced by the waves of (all) the four oceans, who is a grandson of the illustrious Maharaja Nandivarman, who had with his own prowess stripped his enemies of their armours,
(i.e had subjugated them) (and) who is a great-grand son of the illustrious Maharaja Hasti-varman whose deeds of valour at.the head of many a battle are widely acclaimed. The
villagers in the village of Kompara of
Kudrahara should be told:-
We have given this village, for the increase of fame, fortune, victory and wel lfare of our family, to chaturvaidya,
a resident of (the village of Rathakara, having made it a brahmadeya (i.e. an agrahara and exempting it from all
the taxes. Having known that, proper services be rendered to him, according to the previously existing terms.
Besides, officers-in-charge of all the departments and their subordinates
should let that village alone.
(This) (copper)-plate charter has been given on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Karttika in
the first year of our flourishing glorious and victorious reign.
(Here follows one of the customary verses).

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.