Indian Epigraphy c11.t6.27

c11.t6.27

The charters of imperial dynasties like the Eastern Gaṅga, Kalacuri, Rāṣṭrakūṭa, Coḷa, Cālukya, Paramāra and Pāla, contain an elaborate genealogical description in connection with the introduction of the donor. Thus the Asankhali plates¹ (1303 A. D.) of Gaṅga Narasimha II of Orissa have 212 lines of writing, 165 of which are covered by an elaborate genealogical description introducing the donor. It consists of 105 stanzas in various metres and a passage in prose between verses 6 and 7. Of the many ancestors mentioned (some of whom are mythical or imaginary), the achievements of 10 beginning with Vajrahasta III (1038-70 A. D.) are specially dealt with. The same introductory section is not only found in the other charters of the same king, but the verses are mostly copied from the grants of his ancestors.² The real grant begins in line 165 with the word *svasti*. The introductory composition of this nature was often kept ready for adding the grant portion at a later date. We have several copper-plate grants with only the introductory portion engraved on them.³ Important historical information is generally scattered here and there in these descriptions which are, as indicated above, in most part full of vague praises for the king and his ancestors. Records like those of the imperial branch of the Eastern Gaṅga dynasty of Orissa give the duration of the different kings’ rules in years in round numbers¹ while those of the Eastern Cālukya kings give it more accurately sometimes mentioning months and days.²