The Watson Museum Plates of Dharasena II
By A. S. Gadre
Summary
This article publishes two copper-plate grants of Dharasena II of the Maitraka dynasty, stored in the Watson Museum at Rajkot. The plates, lacking their connecting rings and seals, were discovered without information on provenance and are in poor condition; parts of each plate are broken and the writing is shallow due to corrosion. After cleaning, the author was able to read most of the inscription using other Maitraka grants for comparison. Each plate measures about 12 × 7 inches and is written mainly in Sanskrit prose, with the last three lines of the second plate containing Puranic-style imprecatory verses. The first plate states that the grant was issued from a military camp at a place named Bhadra. The genealogy of the Maitraka house is presented, listing kings from Senapati Bhattaraka through Dharasena I, Dronasinha, Dhruvasena I, Dharapatta and Guhasena to Dharasena II. Although Maitraka kings were staunch Śaivites, the donor’s tolerance is highlighted; some of Dharasena II’s fifteen known grants were given to Buddhist viharas. The article reviews the chronology: Dharasena II’s grants span Gupta years 252 to 270, suggesting he ruled roughly from 559–570 CE. The plates identify the scribe as Yajnavalkya, minister for peace and war, and mention a minister Siladitya acting as du t a (executive officer). The date is uncertain due to faint traces; the author tentatively reads it as Gupta year 270 (A.D. 559), but acknowledges earlier suggestions of year 250. Comparisons with other grants help reconstruct the Maitraka succession. Overall, the plates provide new data on the genealogy, religious patronage and chronology of the Maitraka dynasty.
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Conclusion
These Watson Museum plates shed light on the mid-sixth century Maitraka dynasty. Issued from a military camp at Bhadra, the grants record Dharasena II’s lineage and exemplify his religious tolerance. With dates spanning Gupta years 252–270, they help refine the chronology of Maitraka rulers. The inscriptions confirm that although the kings were devout Śaivites, they supported Buddhist institutions, illustrating the pluralism of early medieval Gujarat. Despite their damaged state, the plates are valuable epigraphic sources for understanding Maitraka administration, genealogy and patronage.