Berhampur: In a significant breakthrough for Odia epigraphy and regional history, a 17th-century copper plate inscription dating back to 1649 CE has been discovered in Guṇupur in Rayagada district. The plate, issued by Mahārāja Lālakṛṣṇa Deva of the Nandapur surya sankara dynasty, records a royal land grant to a religious leader, Mahanta Sahaja Rāma Gosāin.
The inscription was found on June 14, 2025, by Sri Sadananda Paṇḍa, who came across the artifact at the residence of the late Gobinda Chandra Mahapatra. According to Trinātha Mahāpatra, 92, son of the late Gobinda, the plate had been preserved for decades after being recovered from the ruins of the historic Sana Jagannatha Maṇḍira during his service years.
Recognizing its significance, local history enthusiast Gyana Ranjana Nisanka coordinated with Paṇḍa to bring the inscription to the attention of epigraphist Bishnu Mohan Adhikari, who has previously deciphered numerous inscriptions across Odisha and andhra pardesh. Upon examination, Adhikari confirmed the inscription’s authenticity and successfully transliterated and translated the rare Odia copper plate, dating it precisely to February 9, 1649 CE, corresponding to sukla saptamī of Phālguna and in the cyclic year ‘Birodhi’, which fell on a Friday.
Historical Significance
The plate records a grant of two villages to Mahanta Sahaja Rama Gosain, for the purposes of conducting religious rituals and offerings dedicated to Srī Balajī Mahāprabhu in the Gūṇupur taluka. The boundaries of the granted land are meticulously detailed—bordered by Jira, the Serama canal, Bansabali river (Bansadhara), and Dibirisiṇgī village—indicating a substantial endowment.
“The significance of this find lies not only in its pristine condition and clarity of inscription but in the insight it provides into the political and religious patronage systems of 17th-century southern Odisha,” said Adhikari.
Physical Description
The plate, measuring 19 × 7 cm, is a single copper sheet inscribed on both sides with a total of 14 lines—ten on the obverse and four on the reverse. The reverse also bears a royal sign-manual: a traditional Khadga Santaka, associated with the Nandapur lineage.
The script used is early-modern Odia, showcasing the transitional paleographic features of the period. This rare artifact offers valuable evidence of land distribution, regional governance, and temple-based religious institutions under the Nandapur rulers.
