Copper plaques trace to Bhauma and Bhanja dynasty

Bhubaneswar, Sep 13 (UNI) Three rare copper plaques found in Nayagaraha district three years ago were traced to Bhauma and Bhanja dynasty, Orissa Culture Minister Surjya Narayan Patro said here today.

The three plaques were found in 2003 from the Dhanchanguda village near Kantilo Nilamadhab in Nayagarha district in 2003 and were kept in Nayagarha treasury since then.

The plaques were collected from the district Collector and brought to the state museum yesterday on the direction of Culture Secretary Gopinath Mohanty.

Mr Patro said according to the preliminary research done by the museum, it was found that the first plaque was engraved by Shantikar Dev of Bhoumya dynasty who ruled the state from eighth to tenth century AD.

The plaque which bore a seal showed the picture of the king and a bull on the plaque. Experts pointed out hat it indicated that the Bhoumya kings were Saivities, the Minister said.

Scholars said the other two plaques belonged to the kings of Bhanja dynasty. The names of King, Satrubhanja Dev and Silabhanja Dev, were mentioned on the plaques. The plaques were released at Banjulbana Nagari. Scholars were of the view that Banjulabana Nagari is the modern Berhampur town of Ganjam district.

The two plaques were bound in a copper chain along with the third plaque. The seal of the Bhanja dynasty was found on the chain which had an insignia of a lion on it.

The plaques revealed that the kings of Bhanja dynasty belonged to the Vaishanav religion. All the three plaques were written in Sanskrit and Kutila lipi (script).

Mr Patro said many historical acts would come to light after the research on the plaques were completed.

UNI