[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Archaeology, epigraphy and coins](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy) › [Indian Epigraphy](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.sircar-1965) › c9.t9.2 # Indian Epigraphy c9.t9.2 Indian Epigraphy c9.t9.2 - **Language:** English ### [c9.t9.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.sircar-1965.c9.t9.2) Official charters, especially grants made by kings and subordinate rulers (called tāmra-patra, tāmra-śāsana, tāmra, etc.) were generally engraved on copper plates which served the donees as title-deeds. Fa-hien's statement⁵ that, about 400 A.D., Buddhist monasteries in India possessed copper-plate grants some of which dated from the Buddha's time may not be trustworthy; but the practice of issuing copper-plate grants is certainly very old.⁶ - [Previous: c9.t9.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.sircar-1965.c9.t9.1) - [Next: c9.t9.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.sircar-1965.c9.t9.3) - [Up: c9.t9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.sircar-1965.c9.t9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.sircar-1965.c9.t9.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.sircar-1965.c9.t9.2) · Pramāṇa