Tamrashasana (Copper Grant)

Currently not on view

Tamrashasana (Copper Grant)

c. Late 6th - 7th century

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

In ancient India, texts were written on cloth, bark, or palm leaves. When a more permanent record was required, writing was carved into stone or metal. From at least the fourth century, permanent records of royal gifts and property transactions were inscribed on flat sheets of copper called a tamrashasana (literally copper grant or edict). A tamrashasana can be a single sheet or multiple sheets held together with a ring to which a cast royal seal is often affixed. Especially in southern India, the pages of these copper "books" were long and narrow, imitating the horizontal, palm leaf pages of a pothi. Like the covers of a pothi, the front and back pages of the tamrashasana were free of text. These permanent copper records were usually given to the grantee and buried at a relevant spot, such as on the boundary of the granted land. The original impermanent record, from which the copper sheets were copied, was kept in the royal archive.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Tamrashasana (Copper Grant)

Date:

c. Late 6th - 7th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Copper alloy

Dimensions:

4 × 4 × 10 1/2 inches (10.2 × 10.2 × 26.7 cm)

Classification:

Books/Manuscripts/Information Artifacts

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Stella Kramrisch Fund, 2003

Accession Number:

2003-186-1

Geography:

Made in India, Asia Possibly made in Andhra Pradesh, India, Asia Possibly made in Karnataka, India, Asia Possibly made in Telangana, India, Asia

Context:

Period: Medieval Period (c. 600 - c. 1300)

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view