A Note on the Barah Copper‑plate of Bhoja
Summary
The Barah copper-plate of Bhoja, dated to 836 CE (V.E. 893), records a land grant by Pratthara Bhoja, son of Ramabhadra and grandson of Nagabhata, in the village of Barah, located west-south-west of Cawnpore in the United Provinces. The grant was approved by Paramesvara Sarvvavarman and Nigabhata, though the legal officer’s incompetence during Ramabhadra’s reign initially obstructed the allotment. The land, part of the Udumbara-Visaya and Kinyakubja-Bhukti, was granted to V(B)al-a'ka'. The inscription, edited by Dr. Hirananda in *L'pigmpbia Indica*, suggests Sarvvavarman’s approval does not necessarily indicate contemporaneity with Nigabhata, as the grant could have been approved posthumously. The text also links Sarvvavarman to the Deobaranark inscription, where Baladitya’s grant was approved by Sarvvavarman and others, though Baladitya’s identity remains uncertain. The plate establishes Bhoja’s control over Barah and possibly Kiladjar fort, with connections to Nagabhata’s defeat of Cakrayudha of Kanauj. While the association of Sarvvavarman with the Barah grant does not confirm his subordination to Nigabhata, it highlights political dynamics in the region. The exact location of Balika and its implications for Bhoja’s territorial control remain unresolved.
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Conclusion
The Barah copper-plate of Bhoja provides critical insights into the political dynamics of early medieval India, particularly the relationships between regional rulers and administrative officials. The document highlights the grant of agrahara land by Bhoja, son of Ramabhadra, within the administrative divisions of the Udumbara-Visaya, underscoring the centralized control of territorial allocations. The inscription’s approval by Paramesvara Sarvvavarman and Nigabhata suggests a complex hierarchy of authority, challenging assumptions about subordination and regional power structures. The analysis of linguistic and historical context further complicates the identification of Sarvvavarman, proposing alternative associations with Deobaranark inscriptions and broader political networks. Ultimately, the Barah plate not only illuminates Bhoja’s territorial ambitions and administrative practices but also raises unresolved questions about the interplay of regional and imperial powers in shaping early medieval India’s geopolitical landscape.