Vazhappally_copper_plate
Vazhappally copper plate (c. 882/83 AD[1]) is a copper plate inscription in Malayalam language from Vazhappally, in the state of Kerala, south India.[2][3] Recent scholarship puts the date of the plate in c. 882/83 AD.[4]
The inscription is engraved on a single copper plate (with five lines on both sides) in an early form of Malayalam in Vattezhuthu script with some Grantha characters. The contents of the plate are incomplete.[2] The inscription was discovered by V. Srinivasa Sastri from Talamana Illam near Changanassery.[5] The plate is owned by Muvidathu Madham, Thiruvalla.[2]
The record is dated to the twelfth regnal year of Chera Perumal king Rama Rajasekhara (882/83 AD).[4]
- King Rajasekhara is described as "Sri, Raja Rajadhiraja, Parameswara Bhattaraka, Rajashekhara Deva" and "the Perumal Atikal".[2]
- The copper plate describes a temple committee resolution by Thiruvatruvay Pathinettu Nattar and the Urar of Vazhappally in the presence of king Rajasekhara on a land grant for the daily worship in the Thiruvatruvay temple.[2][4]
- The fines for those who obstruct the daily worship in the temple are also prescribed.[2]
- Begins with the invocation "Namah Shivaya" ("Respect to Shiva") in place of the usual "Swasti Sri" ("Hail! Prosperity!").[2]
- Also mentions a coin called "dinara".[2]
The Vattezhuthu characters in the Vazhappally copper plate are noted for their similarity to the Madras Museum Plates of Jatila Varman Parantaka Pandya. The Grantha characters in the plate have a late character with respect to the Kasakudi and other early Pallava grants. The plate also resembles Quilon Syrian copper plates (mid-9th century AD) in script and language.[6][5]
Chera Perumal king Rajasekhara is usually identified by scholars with Cheraman Perumal Nayanar, the venerated Shaiva (Nayanar) poet-musician.[7]