Khoh Satna

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Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (Retd.)

Note - Please click Khoh for similarly named villages at other places.


Khoh (खोह) is ancient village in Unchehara tahsil in Satna district in the Madhya Pradesh. Its population is 665.

Variants of name

Location

It is situated in south-west of Unchehara town at a distance of 3 kms. We find in ancient history Uchchakalpa which is now vanished leaving only remains in the name of Khoh village. Alexander Cunningham got excavation work done here on a mound where he got a brick temple ruins. this was eastern facing temple and sculptors of Nrisimha, varaha were installed. The Varaha statue at present is housed at Unchehara Municipal Office.[1]

History

खोह

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर[2] ने लेख किया है ....खोह (AS, p.260-61) मध्य प्रदेश में नागोद के निकट स्थित एक ऐतिहासिक स्थान है। इस स्थान से गुप्त कालीन ताम्रपत्रों और दानपत्रों पर लिखे अभिलेख प्राप्त हुए हैं। इन दानपत्र अभिलेखों में ब्राह्मणों एवं मन्दिरों के नाम दान आदि दिये जाने का उल्लेख है। इन अभिलेखों में महाराज हस्तिन द्वारा वसुंतरशांडिक नामक ग्राम का गोपस्वामिन व अन्य ब्राह्मणों को ग्राम दान का उल्लेख है। इसकी तिथि 475 ई. है।

एक दूसरे दानपत्र में महाराज हस्तिन द्वारा कोर्पारिक ग्राम के दान में दिए जाने का उल्लेख है, यह दानपत्र 482 ई.का है।

तीसरे दानपत्र में 528 ई. में संक्षोभ द्वारा ओपानी ग्राम के पिष्ठपुरी देवी (लक्ष्मी) के मन्दिर को दान का उल्लेख है। इसी लेख में महाराज हस्तिन को डाभाल प्रदेश का शासक बताया गया है। जे.एफ.फ्लीट के मत में यह प्रदेश बुन्देलखण्ड का इलाक़ा है जिसे डाहल भी कहते हैं.

खोह से ही महाराज जयनाथ तथा उनके पुत्र महाराज सर्वनाथ के भी कई दानपत्र प्राप्त हुए हैं। प्रथम पट्ट 496 ई. उच्छकल्प से प्रचलित किया गया था. इसमें धवशांडिक ग्राम का भागवत (विष्णु) के मंदिर के लिए दान में दिए जाने का उल्लेख है. मंदिर की स्थापना ब्राह्मणों ने इस ग्राम में की थी. दूसरा दानपट्ट 512 ई. में लिखा गया था. इसमें महाराज सर्वनाथ द्वारा तमसा तटवर्ती आश्रमक नामक गांव का विष्णु तथा सूर्य के मंदिरों के लिए दान में दिए जाने का उल्लेख है. तमसा नदी मैहर की पहाड़ियों से निकलती है. तीसरा दानपट्ट (तिथि रहित) भी उच्छकल्प से प्रचलित किया गया था. इसमें महाराज सर्वनाथ द्वारा धवशांडिक ग्राम के अर्ध भाग को पिष्ठपुरिका देवी के मंदिर के लिए दान में दिए जाने का उल्लेख है. चौथा और पांचवां दानपट्ट भी महाराज सर्वनाथ


[p.261]: से ही संबंधित है. चौथे का विवरण नष्ट हो गया है. पांचवें में सर्वनाथ द्वारा मांगिक पेठ में स्थित व्याघ्रपल्लिक तथा काचरपल्लिक नामक ग्रामों का पिष्ठपुरिका देवी के मंदिर के लिए दान में दिए जाने का उल्लेख है. इसकी तिथि 533 ई. है इसमें जिस मानपुर का उल्लेख है वह स्थान फ्लीट के मत में सोन नदी के पास स्थित ग्राम मानपुर है. खोह के दानपट्ट से गुप्त कालीन शासन-व्यवस्था के अतिरिक्त उस समय की धार्मिक पद्धतियों एवं तत्कालीन सामाजिक स्थिति एवं धार्मिक विश्वास पर प्रकाश पड़ता है।

तमसा

2. तमसा (AS, p.391) मध्य प्रदेश में मैहर के पहाड़ों से निकल कर बुंदेलखंड के इलाके में बहने वाली एक नदी का नाम भी तमसा है जिसका उल्लेख महाराज सर्वनाथ के खोह अभिलेख (512 ई.) में है. इस नदी के तट पर आश्रमक नानक ग्राम का भी उल्लेख इस अभिलेख में है.[3]

Gupta dynasty Inscriptions

In village Khoh 8 copper plate grants have been discovered of the rulers of Privrajaka Vansha, who were Samantas of Guptas. The copper-plate inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha (533-534) from Khoh (Satna District, Madhya Pradesh) describes the Mahabharata as a "collection of 100,000 verses" (shatasahasri samhita). We have information about Copper-plate grants Inscriptions of various Maharajas of Gupta dynasty. These are listed below:

  1. Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Hastin (475-476 CE)
  2. Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Hastin (482-483 CE)
  3. Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of Maharaja Jayanatha (496-497 CE)
  4. Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha
  5. Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha (512-513 CE)
  6. Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha (516-517 CE)
  7. Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha (533-534 CE)
  8. Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Samkshobha (528-529 CE)

Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Hastin (475-476 CE)

  • Reverence to (the god) Mahâdêva! Hail! In a century of years, increased by the fifty- sixth (year); in the enjoyment of sovereignty by the Gupta kings; in the Mahâ-Vaishâkha samvatsara; on the third lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month Kârttika,— on this (lunar day), (specified) as above by the day (&c.), —
  • (Line 3.)— By the Mahârâja, the illustrious Hastin,— who is born in the family of a kingly ascetic;— who is the great-grandson of the Mahârâja Dêvâdhya;— who is the grandson of the Mahârâja Prabhañjana;— who is the son of the Mahârâja Dâmôdara; — who is the giver of thousands of cows, and elephants, and horses, and gold, and many lands; — who is earnest in paying respect to (his) spiritual preceptor and (his) father and mother;— who is extremely devoted to the gods and Brâhmans;— who has been victorious in many hundreds of battles;— (and) who causes the happiness of his own race,—
  • (L. 7.)— (By him),— for the purpose of increasing his own religious merit, (and) in order to cause (himself) to ascend by the steps of the ladder that leads to heaven,— the village of Vasuntarashandika is granted to the Brâhman Gôpasvâmin, of the Vâjasanêya-Mâdhyamdina (shâkhâ) and the Kautsa gôtra, and to Bhavasvâmin, Sandhyâputra, Divâkaradatta, Bhâskaradatta, and Sûryadatta.
  • (L. 11.)— On all sides (there are) trenches (of demarcation); (and) on the north by the west, the boundaries are those that have been previously enjoyed. (This village is made the property) of Sandhyâputra and the others, with the udranga and the uparikara, (and with the privilege that it is) not to be entered by the irregular or regular troops; (but) with the exception of (the right to fines imposed on) thieves.
  • (L. I3.)— Therefore, even in future times, no obstacle (to the enjoyment of this grant) is to be caused by those who are born in Our family, or by my feudatories. This injunction having been given, he who behaves otherwise,— him I will consume with a great contempt, even when I have passed into another body.
  • (L. 15.)— And it has been said by the venerable supreme sage, the arranger of the Vêdas,— "O Yudhisthira, best of kings, carefully preserve land that has previously been given to the twice-born; (verily) the preservation (of a grant) (is) more meritorious than making a grant! The earth has been enjoyed by many kings, commencing with Sagara; whosoever at any time possesses the earth, to him belongs, at that time, the reward (of this grant that is now made, if he continue it)! The giver of land enjoys happiness in heaven for sixty thousand years; (but) the confiscator (of a grant), and he who assents (to an act of confiscation), shall dwell for the same number of years in hell!"
  • (L. 20.)— And (this charter) has been written by Sûryadatta, the [great]-grandson of the Amâtya Vakra; the grandson of the Bhôgika and Amâtya Naradatta; (and) the son of the Bhôgika Ravidatta. The Dûtaka (is) Bhâgraha.

(From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 96-100.


Notes -

  • Vasuntarashandika (वसुन्तरशाण्डिक) - Village is to be identified.
  • Kautsa gôtra - Kautsa gôtra mentioned here is of Brahman. This Gotra is also found in Jats as Kot.

Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Hastin (482-483 CE)

  • Reverence to (the god) Mahâdêva! Hail! In a century of years, increased by sixty-three; in the enjoyment of sovereignty by the Gupta kings; in the Mahâ-Ashvayuja samvatsara; on the second lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month Chaitra,— on this (lunar day), (specified) as above by the day (&c.),—
  • (Line 3.)— By the Mahârâja, the illustrious Hastin,— who is born in the family of a kingly ascetic;— who is the great-grandson of the Mahârâja Dêvâdhya;— who is the grandson of the Mahârâja, the illustrious Prabhañjana;— who . is the son of the Mahârâja Dâmôdara;— who is the giver of thousands of cows, and elephants, and horses, and gold, and many lands;— who is earnest in paying respect to (his) spiritual preceptor and (his) father and mother;— who is extremely devoted to the gods and Brâhmans;— who has been victorious in many hundreds of battles; — (and) who causes the happiness of his own race,—
  • (L. 7.)— (By him),— for the purpose of increasing his own religious merit,— the agrâhâra of Kôrparika, in the northern patta, is granted, with the udranga and the uparikara, and (with the privilege that it is) not to be entered by the irregular or regular troops, to (certain) Brâhmans, commencing with Dêvasvâmin, the son of Agnisvâmin, of the Bharadvâja gôtra (and) a student of the Vâjasanêya (shâkhâ), and Sharvasvâmin, (and) Gôrisvâmin,— Divâkarasvâmin, of the Kautsa gôtra, a student of the Vâjasanêya (shâkhâ), (and) Svâtisvâmin, — Varunasharman, of the Bhârgava gôtra, a student of the Vâjasanêya (shâkhâ), (and) Bappasvâmin,— Kumâradêva, of the Vâsula gôtra, a student of the Katha (shâkhâ),— (and) Mâtrisharman, a student of the Vâjasanêya (shâkhâ), (and) Nâgasharman, Rukharadêva, Kaudravadêva, Vishnudêva, Dêvanâga, Kumârasêna, Rudrasharman, Dêvadângiras (?), Lambôshtha, Dêvamitra (?), Mahadêva, (and) Gunthaka.
  • (L. 17.)— The boundaries of it (are),— on the east, (the boundary-trench or village called) Kôrparagartâ; on the north, Animuktakakônaka, (and) a vrika-tree in the centre of Valaka on the south side of the village of Vangara, (and) a clump of amrâta-trees; on the west, (the tank or village called) Nâgasarî; (and) on the south, the parichchhêda of Balavarman.
  • (L. 19.)— Therefore, even in future times, no obstacle (to the enjoyment of this grant) is to be caused by those who are born in Our family, or by my feudatories. This injunction having been given, he who behaves otherwise,— him I will consume with a great contempt, even when I have passed into another body.
  • (L. 22.)— And it has been said by the venerable supreme sage, the arranger of the Vêdas,— " O Yudhishthira, best of kings, carefully preserve land that has previously been given to the twice-born; (verily) the preservation (of a grant) (is) more meritorious than making a grant! The earth has been enjoyed by many kings, commencing with Sagara; whosoever at any time possesses the earth, to him belongs, at that time, the reward (of this grant that is now made, if he continue it)! He becomes a worm in ordure, and is tormented together with his ancestors, who confiscates land that has been given, whether by himself, or by another! The giver of land enjoys happiness in heaven for sixty thousand years; (but) the confiscator (of a grant), and he who assents (to an act of confiscation), shall dwell for the same number of years in hell!"
  • (L. 28.)—And (this charter) has been written by the Mahâmdhivigrahika Sûryadatta; the great-grandson of the Amâtya Vakra; the grandson of the Bhôgika Naradatta; (and) the son of the Bhôgika Ravidatta. Bhagraha (is) he Dûtaka.
  • From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 104-105.

  • Kôrparika (कौर्पारिक) - Village Korparika (कोर्पारिक) दे. Khoh Satna, M.P. (AS, p.237) कोर्पारिक प्राचीन भारत में गुप्त कालीन एक ग्राम था। 163 गुप्त संवत (482 ई.) के गुप्त कालीन दानपट्ट-लेख में, जो 'खोह' नामक स्थान, नागदा (मध्य प्रदेश) से प्राप्त हुआ था, उसमें कोर्पारिक नामक ग्राम का कुछ ब्राह्मणों को दान में दिए जाने का उल्लेख है। यह ग्राम खोह के निकट ही रहा होगा।[4]
  • Kôrparagartâ - Village ?
  • Animuktakakônaka -Village ?
  • Nâgasarî - Village ?
  • Balavarman - A person ?

Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of Maharaja Jayanatha (496-497 CE)

  • Hail! From Uchchakalpa;— (There was) the Mahârâja Ôghadêva. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Kumâradêva, begotten on the Mahâdêvi Kumâradêvi. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Jayasvâmin, begotten on the Mahâdêvi Jayasvâmini. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Vyâghra, begotten on the Mahâdêvi Râmadêvi.
  • (Line 4.)— His son, who meditates on his feet, the Mahârâja Jayanâtha, — begotten on the Mahâdêvi Ajjhitadêvi,— being in good health, issues a command to the cultivators, beginning with the Brâhmans, and to the artisans, at (the village of) Dhavashandikâ:—
  • (L. 6.)— "Be it known to you that, for the purpose of increasing my own religious merit, (and) for the benefit of the feet of the Divine One, this village is granted by me, as an agrahâra of the god, to continue for the same time with the moon and the sun, to the Divira Sarvavâdha, of the Shâsâtanêya (gôtya) (?), and his son the Bhâgavata Ganga, and his sons Rankabôta and Ajagaradâsa. And the increase of their own religious merit should be effected by the succession of (their) sons, [sons' sons], sons of sons' sons, sons of the latter, &c., by repairing whatever may become broken or torn, and by attending to the maintenance of the bali, charu, sattra, and other (such rites), of the feet of the Divine One, established here by these persons.
  • (L. 11) — "You yourselves shall render to these persons the offering of the tribute of the customary duties, royalties, taxes, gold, &c., and shall be obedient to (their) commands.
  • (L. 12.)— "And those kings who shall be born in Our lineage,— by them this grant should not be confiscated, (but) should be assented to; (and), with the exception of fines imposed on thieves, the tribute of the taxes which by custom should not belong to the king, should not be taken; and (this grant) should be preserved from time to time.
  • (L. 14.)— "And whosoever may confiscate this grant,— he shall become invested with (the guilt of) the five great sins and the minor sins."
  • (L. 15.)— And it has been said in the Mahâbhârata by the venerable Vyâsa, the arranger of the Vêdas,— "O Yudhishthira, best of kings, carefully preserve land that has been given, whether by thyself or by another; (verily) the preservation (of a grant) (is) more meritorious than making a grant! As a rule, indeed, no inauspicious condition is experienced by kings; but they are purified for ever, when they bestow land! The giver of land enjoys happiness in heaven for sixty thousand years; (but) the confiscator (of a grant), and he who assents (to an act of confiscation), shall dwell for the same number of years in hell! The earth has been enjoyed by many kings, commencing with Sagara; whosoever at any time possesses the earth, to him belongs, at that time, the reward (of this grant that is now made, if he continue it)! He who confiscates land, rich in all (kinds of) grains, (that has been granted),— he becomes a worm in ordure, and sinks (into hell), together with his ancestors!"
  • (L. 21.)— In a century of years, increased by seventy-seven, on the twenty-second day of the month Chaitra, (this charter) has been written by the Sâmdhivigrahika Gallu, the grandson of the Bhôgika, the Amâtya Phalgudatta, (and) the son of the Bhôgika Varâhadinna. The Dûtaka (is) the Uparika, Dîkshita, householder, and chief of architects, Sharvadatta.
  • (L. 23.)— The boundaries in this matter (are),—in the direction of Dhânyavâhika, a boundary-trench and a bridge; — in the direction of Durgamandala, a bridge; — in the direction of Suvarnakakshaka, (partly) the place where the reeds grow by the cattle-path, and partly a bridge; — in the direction of Âmuka, a boundary-trench;— in the direction of Dâramandala, a bridge;— (and) in the direction of the district at the entrance of Vakravana, a bridge;— (then the boundaries) enter the village (again) at the well.
  • From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 123-125.

Notes -

  • Uchchakalpa - Unchehara of present times was earlier known as Uchchakalpa. Being at a higher elevation compared to surroundings, it was called ``Uchchakalpa’’. Earlier, Uchchakalpa was made capital of the Nagod State.

Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha

  • Ôm! Hail! From Uchchakalpa; — (There was) the Mahârâja Ôghadêva. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Kumâradêva, begotten on the Mahâdêvi Kumâradêvî. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Jayasvâmin, begotten on the Mahâdêvî Jayasvâminî. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Vyâghra, begotten on the Mahârâja Jayanâtha, begotten on the Mahâdêvi Ajjhitadêvî.
  • (Line 5.)— His son, who meditates on his feet, the Mahârâja Sharvanâtha,— begotten on the Mahâdêvî Murundasvâminî,— being in good health, issues a command to the cultivators, beginning with the Brâhmans, and to the artisans, in half of (the village of) Dhavashandikâ in the Vôta santika: —
  • (L. 8.)— "Be it known to you that this half village is, by (this) copper-plate charter, given to Chhôdugômika, [to be enjoyed] by the succession of him and (his) sons, sons' sons, sons of the latter, &c.,— to endure for the same time with the moon and the sun; with the udranga and the uparikara; (with the privilege that it is) not to be entered by the irregular or the regular troops; with remission of all the taxes; (and) with such tribute as may accrue. And it is agreed by him (and) by me, that it is granted for the purpose of the repairs, by the above-mentioned succession (of him and his descendants), of whatever may become broken or torn, belonging to the divine goddess Pishtapurikâdêvî, and for the maintenance of the bali, charu, and sattra.
  • (L. 13.)— "You yourselves shall render to these persons the offering of the tribute of the customary royalties, taxes, gold, &c., and shall be obedient to (their) commands.
  • (L. 15.)—"And those kings who shall be born in Our lineage,— by them this grant should not be confiscated, (but) should be assented to."
  • (The rest of this inscription, on the second plate, is not forthcoming.)
  • From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 131-132.

Notes -

  • Dhavashandikâ (धवशाण्डिक) - Village granted for the worship of Bhagwat (Vishnu)
  • Murundasvâminî - Mahârâja Sharvanâtha has been written begotten on the Mahâdêvî Murundasvâminî. This queen obviously belongs to Moond Jats who are written as Murunda in Sanskrit.

Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha (512-513 CE)

  • Ôm! Hail! From Uchchakalpa;— (There was) the Mahârâja Ôghadêva. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Kumâradêva, begotten on the Mahâdêvi Kumâradêvi. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Jayasvâmin, begotten on the Mahâdêvî Jayasvâminî. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Vyâghra, begotten on the Mahâdêvî Râmadêvî. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâjâ Jayanâtha, begotten on the Mahâdêvi Ajjhitadêvî.
  • (Line 6.)— His son, who meditates on his feet, the Mahârâja Sharvanâtha,— begotten on the Mahâdêvi Murundadêvî— being in good health, issues a command to the cultivators, beginning with the Brâhmans, and to all the artisans, at (the village of) Ashramaka on the north bank of the river Tamasâ:—
  • (L. 8.)— "Be it known to you that this village is allotted by me, in four shares, to endure for the same time with the moon and the sun; with the udranga and the uparikara; (and with the privilege that it is) not to be entered by the irregular or the regular troops. Out of them, two shares belong to Vishnunandin; and another share belongs to the merchant Saktinâga, the son of Svâminâga; and another share belongs to Kumâranâga and Skandanâga. It is given by (this) copper-plate charter, [to be enjoyed] by the succession of them and (their) sons, [sons' sons], sons of sons' sons, sons of the latter, &c. Moreover, it is agreed by them (and) by me that it is given for the repairs, by the above-mentioned succession (of them and their descendants), in order to increase their own religious merit, of whatever may become broken or torn (in the shrines) of the feet of the Divine One, established by them, and of the feet of the sacred Sun, and for the maintenance of the bali, charu, sattra, perfumes, incense, garlands, and lamps.
  • (L. 17.)— "You yourselves shall render to them the offering of the tribute of the customary royalties, taxes, gold, &c., and shall be obedient to (their) commands.
  • (L. 18.)— "And those kings who shall be born in Our lineage,— by them this grant should not be confiscated, (but) should be assented to, and should be preserved according to opportunity. (And) the tribute of the taxes which by custom should not belong to the king, should not be taken.
  • (L. 20.)— "Whosoever may confiscate this grant,— he shall become invested with (the guilt of) the five great sins and the minor sins."
  • (L. 22.)— And it has been said in the Mahâbhârata by the venerable Vyâsa, the arranger of the Vêdas,— "O Yudhishthira, best of kings, carefully preserve land that has been given, whether by thyself, or by another; (verily) the preservation (of a grant) (is) better than making a grant! As a rule, indeed, no inauspicious condition is experienced by kings; but they are purified for ever, when they bestow land! The earth has been enjoyed by many kings, commencing with Sagara; whosoever at any time possesses the earth, to him belongs, at that time, the reward (of this grant that is now made, if he continue it )! The giver of land enjoys happiness in heaven for sixty thousand years; (but) the confiscator (of a grant), and he who assents (to an act of confiscation), shall dwell for the same number of years in hell! He who confiscates land, rich in all (kinds of ) grains, (that has been granted),— he becomes a worm in the ordure of a dog, and sinks (into hell) together with (his) ancestors!"
  • (L. 29.)— (This charter) has been written, in a century of years, increased by ninety-three, on the tenth day of the month Chaitra, by the Mahâsâmdhivigrahika Manôratha, the grandson of the Bhôgika, the Amâtya Phalgudatta, (and) the son of the Bhôgika Varâhadinna. The Dûtaka (is) the Mahâbalâdhikrita, the Kshatriya Shivagupta.
  • From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 128-129.

Notes -

  • Ashramaka (आश्रमक) - Village of Ashramaka on the north bank of the river Tamasâ was granted for Vishnu and Sun temples. Tamasa or Tons River originates from Maihar hills.

Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha (516-517 CE)

(The opening part of this inscription, on the first plate, is not forthcoming.)

  • "And, according to opportunity, it should be preserved. And the tribute of the taxes which by custom should not belong to the king, should not be taken.
  • (Line 2.)— "Whosoever may confiscate this grant,— he shall become invested with (the guilt of) the five great sins and the minor sins."
  • (L. 3.)— And it has been said in the Mahâbhârata, by the venerable Vyâsa, the arranger of the Vêdas,— "O Yudhishthira, best of kings, carefully preserve land that has been given, whether by thyself, or by another; (verily) the preservation (of a grant) is more meritorious than making a grant! As a rule, indeed, no inauspicious condition is experienced by kings; but they are purified for ever, when they bestow land! The earth has been enjoyed by many kings, commencing with Sagara; whosoever at any time possesses the earth, to him belongs, at that time, the reward (of this grant that is now made, if he continue it)! The giver of land enjoys happiness in heaven for sixty thousand years; (but) the confiscator (of a grant), and he who assents (to an act of confiscation), shall dwell for the same number of years in hell! He who confiscates land, rich in all (kinds of) grains, (that has been granted),— he becomes a worm in the ordure of a dog, and sinks (into hell) together with (his) ancestors!"
  • (L. 10.)— (This charter) has been written, in a century of years, increased by ninety-seven, on the twentieth day of the month Ashvayuja, by the Mahâsâmdhivigrahika Manôratha, the grandson of the Bhôgika, the Amâtya Phalgudatta, (and) the son of the Bhôgika Varâhadinna. The Dûtaka (is) the Mahâbalâdhikrita Shivagupta. Moreover, the Dûtaka to an additional writer for the remission of the fines on .............. and water-pots, (is) the Uparika Mâtrishiva.
  • From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 134.

Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Sharvanatha (533-534 CE)

  • Ôm! Hail! From Uchchakalpa; — (There was) the Mahârâja Ôghadêva. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Kumâradêvî, begotten on the Mahâdêvî Kumâradêvi. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Jayasvâmin, begotten on the Mahâdêvi Jayasvâminî. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Vyâghra, begotten on the Mahâdêvi Râmadêvi. His son, who meditated on his feet, (was) the Mahârâja Jayanâtha, begotten on the Mahâdêvi Ajjhitadêvî.
  • (Line 6.)— His son, who meditates on his feet, the Mahârâja Sharvanâtha,— begotten on the Mahâdêvi Murundasvâminî — being in good health, issues a command to the residents, beginning with. the Brâhmans, at the villages of Vyâghrapallika and Kâcharapallika in the Maninâga pêtha: —
  • (L. 8.)— "Be it known to you that these two villages were bestowed, as a mark of favour, upon Pulindabhata,— with the udranga and the uparikara; (with the privilege that they were not to be) entered by the irregular or the regular troops; with whatever had (by custom) accrued or might accrue in connection with the tribute of all the taxes which should not belong to the king; to endure for the same time with the moon and the sun; (but) with the exception of (the right to) fines imposed on thieves. And now they are granted by him to Kumârasvâmin, to be enjoyed by the succession of (his) sons and sons’ sons, for the purpose of the worship of the divine goddess Pishtapurikâdêvî at the temple which he has caused to be built at (the town of) Mânapura, and for the purpose of repairing whatever may become broken or torn. And, by (this) copper-plate charter, they have been assented to by me, according to the rule of bhûmichchhidra.
  • (L. l4.)— "You yourselves, understanding (this), (and) being. obedient to (their) commands, shall render the tribute of the customary royalties, taxes, gold, âvâta, revenue, &c.
  • (L. 16.)— "And those kings who shall be born in Our lineage,— by them this grant should not be confiscated, (but) according to opportunity should be increased (and) assented to and preserved. And none of the tribute of the taxes which should not belong to the king, should be taken.
  • (L. 18.)— "And whosoever may confiscate this grant, he shall become invested with (the guilt of) the five great sins and the minor sins.
  • (L. 19.)— And it has been said in the Mahâbhârata, in the Shatasâhasrî-Samhitâ, by Vyâsa, the arranger of the Vêdas, the supreme sage, the son of Parâshara,— "O Yudhishthira, best of kings, carefully preserve land that has previously been given to the twice-born; (verily) the preservation (of a grant) (is) more meritorious than making a grant! As a rule, indeed, no inauspicious condition is experienced by kings; but they are purified for ever, when they bestow land! The earth has been enjoyed by [many] kings, commencing with Sagara; whosoever at any time possesses the earth, to him belongs, at that time, the reward (of this grant that is now made, if he continue it)! The giver of land enjoys happiness in heaven for sixty thousand years; (but) the confiscator (of a grant), and he who assents (to an act of confiscation), shall dwell for the same number of years in hell! He who confiscates land that has been given, whether by himself, or by another,— he becomes a worm in the ordure of a dog, and sinks (into hell) together with his ancestors! Those who confiscate a previous grant, are born (again) as black serpents, inhabiting the dried-up hollows of trees, in desert places destitute of water!"
  • (L. 27.)— (This charter) has been written in two centuries of years, increased by fourteen, on the sixth day of the month Pausha, by the Sâmdhivigrahika Nâtha, the great-grandson of the Anâtya Phalgudatta; the grandson of Varâhadinna; (and) the son of Manôratha. The Dûtaka (is) Dhritisvâmika.
  • From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 138-139.

Notes -

  • Vyâghrapallika (व्याघ्रपल्लिक) - Village in the Maninâga pêtha
  • Kâcharapallika (काचरपल्लिक) - Village in the Maninâga pêtha
  • Mânapura (मानपुर) - Pishtapurikâdêvî (Goddess Laxmi) temple was built at (the town of) Mânapura. Fleet considers this town to be Manpur village near Son River. This village manpur is in present Umariya district and is too far from Khoh Satna.

Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Samkshobha (528-529 CE)

  • Ôm! Reverence to the divine (god) Vâsudêva! Hail! In two centuries of years, increased by nine; in the enjoyment of sovereignty by the Gupta kings; in the glorious augmenting and victorious reign; in the Mahâ-Ashvayuja samvatsara; on the thirteenth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month Chaitra,— on this (lunar day), (specified) as above by the samvatsara and month and day,—
  • (Line 3.)— By the Mahârâja, the illustrious Samkshôbha,— who is born in the family of the kingly ascetic Susharman, who had learned the whole truth of the fourteen sections of science; who was a great sage, (being) indeed (an incarnation of) Kapila; who knew all the first principles; (and) who was of the Bharadvâja gôtra;— who is the great-grandson of the son of the Mahârâja, the illustrious Dêvâdhya;— who is the great-grandson of the Mahârâja, the illustrious Prabhañjana;— who is the grandson of the Mahârâja, the illustrious Dâmôdara;— who is the son of the Mahârâja, the illustrious Hastin, who was the giver of thousands of cows, and elephants, and horses, and gold, and many lands; who was earnest in paying respect to (his) spiritual preceptor and (his) father and mother; who was extremely devoted to the gods and Brâhmans; who was victorious in many hundreds of battles; who sought to govern properly the kingdom of Dabhâlâ, which had come (to him) by inheritance, together with (all the country) included in the eighteen forest kingdoms; (and) whose fame was renowned through many good qualities;— who is intent upon establishing the religious duties of the castes and the different periods of life;— who is a most devout worshipper of the Divine One;— who is extremely devoted to (his) ancestors;— (and) who causes the happiness of his own race,—
  • (L. 11.)—(By him),— for the purpose of increasing the religious merit of (his) parents and of himself,— at the request of Chhôdugômin, and (with the object of) causing him to ascend the steps of the ladder that leads to heaven,— half of the village of Ôpâni, in the Maninâga pêtha, is granted by a copper-charter, with the exception of (the right to fines imposed on) thieves and mischief-doers, for the purpose of observing the bali, charu, and sattra, at the temple, which (he) has caused to be built, of the divine (goddess) Pishtapurî, and for the purpose of renewing whatever may become broken or torn.
  • (L. 15.)— Therefore, even in future times, no obstacle (to the enjoyment of this grant) is to be caused by those who are born in

Our family, or by my feudatories. This injunction having been given, he who behaves otherwise,— him I will consume with a great contempt, even when I have passed into another body.

  • (L. 18.)— And it has been said by the venerable supreme sage, Vyâsa, the arranger of the Vêdas,—" O Yudhishthira, best of kings, carefully preserve land that has previously been given to the twice-born; (verily) the preservation (of a grant) (is) more meritorious than making a grant! The earth has been enjoyed by many kings, commencing with Sagara; whosoever at any time possesses the earth, to him belongs, at that time, the reward (of this grant that is now made, if he continue it)! The giver of land enjoys happiness in heaven for sixty thousand years; (but) the confiscator (of a grant), and he who assents to (an act of confiscation), shall dwell for the same number of years in hell! (There is) no gift better than a gift of land, and the preservation (of a grant) (is) better than making a grant; all kings, commencing with Nriga, have attained heaven (by) preserving land that had been granted!"
  • (L. 23.)— And (this charter) has been written by Îshvaradâsa, the grandson of Jîvita, (and) the son of Bhujamgadâsa. The order (is that) of his own mouth. (The month) Chaitra; the day 20 (and) 9.
  • From: Fleet, John F. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum: Inscriptions of the Early Guptas. Vol. III. Calcutta: Government of India, Central Publications Branch, 1888, 115-116.

Notes -

  • Dabala (डाबला) Kingdom - Khoh Copper-plate Inscription of the Maharaja Samkshobha (528-529 CE) mentions in Line-3 mentions about "the kingdom of Dabhâlâ, which had come (to him) by inheritance, together with (all the country) included in the eighteen forest kingdoms". Here the mention of kingdom of Dabhâlâ indicates about the origin of the Dabala Jat clan.
  • Atavika (आटविक) - It is stated in the Allahabad inscription that Samudragupta made all the kings of the forest countries his servants. A mention of the forest kingdoms has also been made in Khoh Copper plate inscription of Samkshobha Gupta year 209.[6] These 18 forest kingdoms were apparently in Central India including Ḍāhala (डाहल) or the Jabalpur region.


  • Samkshôbha (संक्षोभ) - Maharaja details ?
  • Opani (ओपानी)- Village ?

References

  1. Dr Anupam Singh:Vindhya Kshetra Ke Pratihara Vansha Ka Itihasa,2006, p. 119
  2. Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.260-61
  3. Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur,p. 391
  4. Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.237
  5. Dr Naval Viyogi: Nagas – The Ancient Rulers of India, p.160
  6. साष्टादशाटवी राज्याभ्यांतरं डभाला-राज्यमन्वागतम्

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