Udamina in Bengal Epigraphs
Summary
This article examines the term "udamina" in Bengal epigraphs, focusing on land measurement and the decipherment of inscriptions. The author argues that the Belwa copper-plate inscription of king Vigrahapala III (1055-70 A.D.) contains a misdeciphered passage, which actually refers to "udamina" as a standard land-measure. The author also analyzes the Amgachhi plate of the same king (10411), noting that Banerji failed to read it correctly, as it also contains "udamina" in the context of land measurement. The article further discusses the relationship between "udamina," "unmana," and "udana," suggesting they are synonyms used in various inscriptions, such as the Vangiya Sihitya Parisac Plate of Visvarupasena. The author explores the subdivisions of these measures, including the "kakini," which may correspond to the modern "kani" land-measure in Bengal, and the "ganda," which might be smaller than the "kakini." Evidence from multiple epigraphs, such as the Gopinathpur plate of Laksmanasena (circa 1179-1206 A.D.), the Tarppan-dighi plate, the Anulia plate, the Naihati plate of Vallalasena (circa 1154-79 A.D.), and the lost Sundarban plate of Laksmanasena, is used to illustrate the varying measurements and relationships between these units. The author also considers the possibility that "udamina" could be equal to 1/9 of a Bigha and suggests that the number of "udamanas" in an "adbavapa" was likely an even number divisible by four. The article concludes by noting the difficulty in determining the exact relations between these measures, as supported by the Bhowal plate of Laksmanasena and the Gunaighar plate.
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Conclusion
This article re-examines the measurement of land grants in Bengal epigraphs, specifically focusing on the term *udamana*. By correcting the decipherment of the Belwa and Amgachhi plates of King Vigrahapala III, the author establishes that *udamana* is synonymous with *unmana* and *udina*, serving as a standard land measure. The study demonstrates that the relationship between *udamana* and the *adbavapa* is divisible by four, suggesting an even number of units. Furthermore, the text explores the complex hierarchy of land measurements, including the *kini*, *ganda*, and *pataka*, highlighting their varying values across different regions. This analysis significantly advances the understanding of ancient Bengal's land tenure and revenue systems, offering crucial insights into the economic history of the region.