File HME/7/1 - Collection of Copies of Copper Plates

Identity area

Reference code

GB 891 HME-HME/7-HME/7/1

Title

Collection of Copies of Copper Plates

Date(s)

  • [1827-1905] (Creation)

Level of description

File

Extent and medium

One bound volume

Context area

Name of creator

(1808-1853)

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Large, bound volume containing rubbings of copper-plate Indian inscriptions. The front cover contains a label noting that the material belonged to Elliot, and an 'India Office Library' stamp. Other writing on the front with the dates 22nd April 1890 and August 1905, and the interior backing paper for the inscriptions which is watermarked 1858, would, however, suggest that the copper-plates were compiled posthumously.

The contents of the volume is a large number of copper-plate Indian inscriptions, some in Devanagari script, and others in South Indian scripts, possibly Tamil or Telugu - the languages are as yet undeciphered. Many of the inscriptions are copies of rectangular plates, all with circular hook-like shapes at their tops.

One note attached to two of the horizontal inscriptions states that they are copper-plate copies of Sasavanam (?), rewarding a grant by Tribhuvana Chakravarti in the temple of Thirupuvanam (Teruppuvanam) in the village of of Sivaganga, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu. Another note attached to a set of nine plates identifies them as again being Sasavanam(?) inscriptions at the same temple, Thirupuvanam, rewarding a grant to a village by Kulasekara Pandyan, a 13th-14th century king. The majority of plates in this volume do not, however, have English notes attached which identify them.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Language and script notes

    Physical characteristics and technical requirements

    Finding aids

    Allied materials area

    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related units of description

    Related descriptions

    Notes area

    Alternative identifier(s)

    Access points

    Subject access points

    Place access points

    Genre access points

    Description control area

    Description identifier

    Institution identifier

    Rules and/or conventions used

    Status

    Level of detail

    Dates of creation revision deletion

    Language(s)

      Script(s)

        Sources

        Accession area