The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is actively pursuing the return of seven ancient copper charters from Edinburgh University Library in Scotland, following the successful retrieval of 11th-century Chola-era copper plates from Leiden University in the Netherlands. These charters, dating from the 4th to 16th centuries CE, include those issued by early Pallava kings Vishnu Gopavarman and Simhavarman, who ruled from Kanchipuram.
Details of the Copper Charters
The seven charters comprise the Uruvapalli charter of Vishnu Gopavarman, the Mangalur charter of Simhavarman II (likely from the 4th or 5th century CE), charters of Eastern Chalukya king Vijayaditya III (9th century CE), those of Vijayanagar emperors Narasimha Raya II and Sriranga II (both 16th century CE), and a charter of Gujarat king Dadda II Prasantaraga (7th century CE).
According to Munirathnam Reddy, director of epigraphy at ASI, these copper plates were collected from Andhra Pradesh (six) and Gujarat (one) by British archaeologist Sir Walter Elliot in the 19th century, and later donated to the university by Major Hans F Eggeling. He emphasized that these charters are invaluable cultural treasures that shed light on Indian history and culture.
Uruvapalli and Mangalur Charters
Senior epigraphist S Rajavelu explained that the Uruvapalli charter consists of five copper plates with a seal and ring, written in Sanskrit, recording a donation of 200 nivarthana of land at Uruvapalli as devabhoga to the temple of Vishnuharadevakulm. He noted that the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta (r. 335–375 CE) mentions Vishnugopa as ruler of Kanchi, dating these plates to the mid-4th century CE. The Mangalur charter comprises 14 copper sheets in Pallava Grantha script and Sanskrit, issued by Sri Simhavarman, recording land grants at Mangalur in present-day Andhra Pradesh to Brahmins.
Call for Return of Chola Plates to Tamil Nadu
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu History Congress has urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to request the return of the Chola-era Leiden copper plates (Anaimangalam copper plates) to Tamil Nadu. General secretary S S Sundaram appealed for a formal request to the Prime Minister, Union Ministry of Culture, and ASI to transfer the plates to the state government for permanent custody. He suggested that the state archaeology department prepare a proposal for a secure, publicly accessible museum in Nagapattinam or Gangaikonda Cholapuram to display the plates.
