Sanskrit Poets and Royal Charters in Pallava, Pandya, and Chola Periods
Summary
The article explores the role of Sanskrit and Tamil poets in documenting historical and literary information through copper-plate charters issued by Pallava, Pandya, and Chola rulers. These charters, often bilingual, recorded land donations or endowments to temples or Brahmins, with Sanskrit used for eulogies and mythological lineage descriptions, while Tamil provided practical details like land location and recipient lineage. The copper-plates were prioritized over stone inscriptions due to their portability and dual-language content, offering valuable insights into political history. Notable poets, such as Medhavi, Paramesvara, and Narayana, served as court scholars, composing *prasastis* (eulogies) that blended historical facts with poetic praise. The Pallava and Chola dynasties favored Sanskrit for royal charters, while the Pandyas used it alongside Tamil. These poets, often hereditary officeholders, played dual roles as historians and literary figures, preserving the achievements of kings and their ancestors. The study highlights the significance of analyzing Sanskrit sections for historical accuracy, as they often contained mythological analogies, royal genealogies, and detailed endowment records, alongside warnings against future violations. The article emphasizes the importance of these copper-plates as primary sources for understanding the administrative and cultural dynamics of these ancient South Indian kingdoms.
AI-assisted summary, not yet checked. Consult the original PDF before citing.
Conclusion
This study highlights the critical role of Sanskrit and Tamil poets in shaping historical narratives during the Pallava, Pandya, and Chola periods through their composition of royal copper-plate charters. These documents, often bilingual, served as both administrative records and literary eulogies, blending mythological references, dynastic lineage, and political achievements. The Sanskrit sections, particularly valued for their courtly prestige, reveal the poets' dual roles as historians and propagandists, legitimizing royal authority while preserving regional endowments. The analysis underscores the hereditary nature of poetic offices and the enduring significance of these texts in reconstructing political histories, emphasizing their superiority over lithic records for understanding dynastic governance and cultural patronage.