Sarkhon

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Author: Laxman Burdak IFS (R)

Map of Janjgir-Champa district

Sarkhon () is a village in tahsil Janjgir of Janjgir-Champa district in Chhattisgarh.

Variants

Jat Gotras Namesake

Location

It is situated 8km away from Janjgir. According to Census 2011 information the location code or village code of Sarkhon village is 436565. Sarkhon village is located in Janjgir tehsil of Janjgir Champa district in Chhattisgarh, India. As per 2009 stats, Sarkho is the gram panchayat of Sarkhon village. The total geographical area of village is 1299.53 hectares. Naila-janjgir is nearest town to sarkhon for all major economic activities, which is approximately 8km away.[1]

History

Sarkho Plates of Ratnadeva II - Kalachuri year 880 (1128 AD)

Sarkho Plates of Ratnadeva II - Kalachuri year 880 (1128 AD)

Source - Corpus Inscriptionium Indicarium Vol IV Part 2 Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era, Vasudev Vishnu Mirashi, 1955, p.423-429


No. 83 ; Plate LXVII
Sarkho Plates of Ratnadeva II - Kalachuri year 880 (1128 AD)

[p.423]: These plates were found in 1916 in a tank called Gadhia in Sarkho,2 a village 4 miles north of Janjgir in the Bilaspur District of the Chhattisgarh Division in Madhya Pradesh. Pandit Lochan Prasad Pandeya, Honorary Secretary of the then Chhattisgarh Gaurava Prachâraka Mandalî (now Mahâkôsal Historical Society), came to know of them in 1923 and took immediate steps to acquire them for his Society. They are now in the possession of that Society at Bilaspur. The record was first published by Mr. Pandeya in the Hindi Monthly Mâdhurï of Lucknow (Vol V, pp. 317-22) and was subsequently edited with a Lithograph by me in the Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XXII, pp. 15 9 ff. It is edited here from the original plates and their ink-impressions kindly supplied by the Government Epigraphist for India......

The characters are Nagari. The letters are beautifully written and carefully engraved. Their average size is .25". The form of the initial ; is made up of two curves with a


2. Indra is described in the Rigveda, as releasing the sun after slaying Vritra. So Vritra may be said to be the enemy of the sun also He represents darkness.


[p.424]: .....The inscription refers itself to the reign of Ratnâdëva II of the Kalachuri Dynasty of Ratanpur. The object of it is to record the royal grant of the village Chinchâtalâï (चिन्चातलाई) situated in the mandala of Anarghavalli (अनर्घवल्ली) to a Brahmana named Padmanābha, on the occasion of a lunar eclipse. The record was written on the plates by Kīrtidhara,3 the owner of the village Jandêra (जण्डेरा) in the same mandala of Anarghavalli.

The genealogy' of Ratnadëva II down to his grand-father Prithvïdëva I is given here as in the latter's Amôdâ plates, most of the verses descriptive of the kings being identical in both the records.4 The inscription then mentions Jâjalladëva I, the son of Prithvîdëva I and Râjalladëvï and his son and successor Ratnadëva II, who made the present grant. The description of these princes also is merely conventional.

The pedigree of the donee Padmanâbha begins in v.11. His great-grandfather Mahasôna, a Brahmana of the Vatsa gôtra and five pavaras5 hailed from Sonabhadra (सोणभद्र) in Madhyadesha (Middle Country). He had mastered all the Vëdas and Agamas as well as the six Sâstras. He observed a fast unto death for fifty days at the holy place (tirtha) Jambavat (जाम्बवत).6 His son was Sômeshvara, who had a son named Kulachandra. The latter's son was Padmanâbha. He was proficient in astrology and knew two Siddhântas.7 In the presence of all astronomers in the assembly of Ratnadëva II, Padmanâbha asserted that there would be a total lunar eclipse when three quarters of the night had passed and the moon was in the asterism Rôhinî on Thursday, the paurnimâ (fifteenth tithi of the bright fortnight) of Kârttika in the expired year 880. When the eclipse occurred at the predicted time, the king became pleased and donated the afore-mentioned village Chinchâtalâï (चिंचातलाई) to Padmanâbha.

The foregoing particulars of the occasion on which the present grant was made clearly show that the other astronomers of Ratnadëva's court were using older methods of astronomical calculations. Their predictions of eclipses were not accurate and did not therefore come true. Padmanâbha appears to have discovered the mistakes in their methods and mainng the necessary bîja-samskâras, correctly calculated the time of the particular lunar


3. He may be identical with the writer of the Ratanpur stone inscription of Jâjalladëva See above, p. 411, n 2

4. The verses descriptive of Kôkkala and Ratnarâja I are different. Those which occur here are repeated in the later records of the dynasty.

5. These are not specified here. In the Amôdâ plates of JâjaUadëva II (below, No 99, L.21), they are mentioned as Vatsa, Bhargava, Chyavana, Apnavâna and Aurva

6. See below, text p427, n. 1.

7. Those were probably the Shurya-siddhànta and the Brahmagupta-sîddhânta,


[p.425]: eclipse 1 The date of the present grant must evidently be referred to the Kalachuri era. Ie 1128 A C. (corresponding to the expired Kalachuri year 880) the Kârttika-paurnimâ ended at 50-1/2 ghatikâs (20 h. 10 m.) after mean sunrise on the 8th November. As stated in the present inscription, the week-day was Thursday and the nakshatra Rôhinî which began at 13 h. 30 m after mean sunrise. There was also a lunar eclipse on that day According to Dr. K. L. Daftari of Nagpur, who has kindly calculated for me the time of the eclipse, the moon was totally eclipsed between 48 ghatikâs, 42 palas and 52 ghatikâs, 54 palas after mean sunrise at Ratanpur. Three quarters of the night were over at Ratanpur at 52 ghatikâs and 34 palas when, as stated above, the moon was totally eclipsed. The date and the time of the eclipse can thus be completely verified.

As for the localities named here, Chinchâtalâî (चिन्चातलाई) , the donated village, is probably Chichôlâ (long 82° 39' E., lat. 22° 10' N.) on the left bank of the Hasdo in the Jânjgir tahsil of the Bilaspur District. It is only 8 miles north by east of Sarkho.

Jandera, the village owned by the writer Kîrtidhara is probably identical with Jondrâ (long 82°,21' E. and lat 21°, 44' N.) on the left bank of the Seonath river, about 4 miles outside the south-west limit of the Janjgir tahsîl.

The mandala of Anarghavalli in which both Chinchâtalâî and Jandera were situated, is roughly represented by the present Jânjgir tahsîl.

Sonabhadra from which the donee hailed was situated in Madhyadesha. It is probably identical with Shravanabhadra, to which two Brâhmana donees of the Gaonri plates2 of Vâkpati-Munja dated V. S. 1038 belonged. It is noteworthy that like the donee of the present grant, both of them belonged to the Vatsa gotra and had five pravaras. Shravanabhadra is also mentioned in the Tilakwàdâ plates of Bhoja and as the family of Surâditya mentioned in those plates is said to have come from Kanauj, Rao Bahadur K. N Dikshit has conjectured2 that Sravanabhadra was situated somewhere near Kanauj.

Jâmbavat, where the great-grandfather of Padmanâbha fasted himself to death, was a tïrtha. It is perhaps identical with the Jambutirtha mentioned in the Padmapurâna3where there was a Siva-linga called Jambavanteshvara (जाम्बवन्तेश्वर) which is said to have been established by the lord of bears Jambavant, who helped srî-Râmachandra. From the context it appears to have been somewhere in the vicinity of the river Svabhramati (स्वभ्रमती) (modern Sabarmati साबरमती).


1. KL Daftari conjectures that Padmanâbha may have used for his calculation, the Râjamṛgânka, karana work ascribed to king Bhoja of Dhara in which the bïjasamskâras seem to have been fixed after actual observation of planets. This work, though composed in Saka 964 (1042 A C ), ie , 86 years before the date of the present plates, may not have been known to the other astronomers of Ratnaiëva's court. Padmanâbha could, therefore, score an easy victory Over them. Cf Sh. B. Dikshit's History Indian Astronomy (Marâthî), second ed , p.238

2. Ep Ind, Vol XXIII, p.103

3. Uttarakhanda, adhyaya, 150.

4. From the original plates.

5. Expressed by a symbol

6. Read सद्ब्रह्मणे.

7. Mètre. Anushtubh,


English Translation

Sarkho Plates of Ratnadeva II - Kalachuri year 880 (1128 AD)
[p.428]
Success I Ôm Adoration to Brahman !

(Verse.1) Adoration to that reality Brahman, which is attributeless, all-pervasive, eternal and auspicious, the ultimate cause (of the universe) and supreme light conceivable by the mind!

(V. 2) The foremost luminary of the firmament is the sun, the Primeval Being. Then was born from him his son Manu, the first of kings. In his family there was Kartavirya (कार्तवीर्य) born on the earth.

(V. 3) There was the king, the divine and illustrious Kârtavîrya (कार्तवीर्य), an ornament of the earth, who threw into bondage Râvana (रावण) who had propitiated Siva with the embrace of (Pârvatî) the daughter of the Himalaya, who was terrified as he (ie Râvana) lifted up the (Kailasha) mountain with ease, and who (i. e, , Râvana) was greatly enraged when his offerings to the three-eyed (Siva) were washed away by the stream of the greatly flooded Revā which was turned by the suddenly placed dam of his mighty arms

(V. 4) The kings born in his family became known on the earth as Haihayas. An ornament of their family was that illustrious Kôkkala (I) endowed with all excellences who laid the fire of distress in the minds of (his) enemies, who accumulated fame after (amassing) the fortune of religious contemplation, (and) who was always dear to good people (as) one who made them happy.

(V. 5) He had eighteen very valiant sons, who destroyed their enemies even as bons break open the frontal globes of elephants. The eldest of them, an excellent prince, became the lord of Tripuri and he made his brothers the lords of mandalas by his side.

(V. 6) In the family of a younger brother of these there was born Kalingaraja (कलिंगराज) who exterminated hostile kings with the fire of his valour and who was to the faces of the wives of the great warriors even as the full moon is to day-lotuses.2

(V. 7) From him also there was born a son who became famous by the name of Kamalarâja (कमलराज) (and appeared) lovely with his far-spreading spotless glory. When the sun of his valour rose, the assemblages of lotuses bloomed even at night.

(V. 8) Thereafter he begat Ratnarâja (I) (रत्नराज), whose face was like the moon, and who acquired a mass of religious merit by obliging the (whole) world; (and) who, destroying (his) enemies by the valour of the pair of his arms, spread (his) fame in the three worlds.


1. Though verses 1-3, 5-7 and 9 are repeated from No 76, their translation is given here as this draft was used in several later records.

2. I e He made them look pale when he killed the warriors


[p.429]

(V. 9) (His wife) named Nonalla (नोनल्ला) was dear to him as valour is to a brave person. Their son was Prithvîdëva (I), the best of kings.

(V. 10) The son o£ the queen Rajalla (राजल्ला), begotten by Prithvïdëva (I), was the brave king Jâjalladëva (I), the wish-fulfuling tree, beating the fruit of fortune, which yielded their desired objects to good people, — (he) who was wont to worship all gods; who was (annoyiglike) a thorn to his fierce foes, and the god o£ love incarnate to the extremely lovely ladies who saw him.

(V. 11) His son was the illustrious Ratnadëva (II), a treasure on earth to those who served him; whose lovely form was an ornament of the whole Kosala country; who snatched away the fortune of ail kings; and whose feet were served by the heads of all kings.

(V. 12) In the midst of Ilāvarta (ईलावृत) and other countries (the country of) Bhârata is the best. There also Madhyadesha is the best where there is that (well-known) Sonabhadra (सोनभद्र).

(V. 13) There was (a man) born in the family of the twice-born known by the name of Mahasôna, who sprang from the Vatsa gôtra, had five pravaras and emigrated from the famous Sônabhadra.

(V. 14) He was proficient in the group of six Systems of philosophy and arts, knew, like Brahmâ, all the Vëdas and Agamas, and was always respected by all people. Being skilled and conversant with the settled doctrines of the Vêdanta (system), he obtained liberation of life after fasting for fifty days at the holy place (called) Jâmbavat at the time of death.

(V. 15) His son was Sômëshvara, well-known in the world-(he) who was a treasure of wisdom (and) the foremost among all persons versed in the Vëdas ; whose intellect was purified by the performance of various sacrifices and whose glory was an omament to the Brâhmana community.

(V. 16) Thereafter there was his son Kulachandra, whose character was in conformity with (his) sacred learning, who was conversant with the principles of the Agamas; who appeared like (the sage) Vyàsa among the people, having an infinite collection of excellences, and who was able to curse or favour (people as he liked) here in (this) world.

(V. 17) A son of him, who was possessed of ail excellences and had a holy nature, was the intelligent and illustrious Padmanâbha, who is an auspicious abode of wisdom ; whose study of all Agamas causes wonder; who is virtuous by nature, adept in the religious duty, namely, the performance of sacrifices, and proficient in astronomy; and whose mind has become pure by (his) repeated meditation on Brahman.

(V. 18) He knows two Siddhântas, has crossed the ocean of astrology, and being versed in the tenets of the Samhitàs and sacred writings, is like Varahamihira.

(V. 19) He, declaring in the assembly of the illustrious king Ratnadëva (II), in the presence of ail astronomers that when the year eight hundred increased by eighty had passed, on the day of the lord of speech (ie , Thursday), on the full-moon day of Kârttika, during the third quartet of the night when (the moon would be in) the constellation of Rôhînî, there would be a complete eclipse of the moon, — crossed the river of assertion.

(V. 20) Then releasing the moon (from the eclipse), the king, who was pleased, gave him as a grant the village Chinchâtalâï (चिंचातलाई) in the mandala of Anarghavalli (अनर्घवल्ली) together with all taxes.

(Here follow fourteen benedictive and imprecatory verses.)

(V. 35) In the same (mandala of) Anarghavalli (अनर्घवल्ली) , the wise and illustrious Kirtidhara (कीर्तीधर), the lord of the village (called) Jandera (जण्डेरा) , wrote (this charter) charming with letters.

Wiki editor Notes

  • Jandera (Jat clan) = Jondra, the village owned by the writer Kîrtidhara is probably identical with Jondrâ (long 82°,21' E. and lat 21°, 44' N.) on the left bank of the Seonath river, about 4 miles outside the south-west limit of the Janjgir tahsîl. Mentioned in Sarkho Plates of Ratnadeva II - Kalachuri year 880 (1128 AD). ...(V. 35) In the same (mandala of) Anarghavalli (अनर्घवल्ली) , the wise and illustrious Kirtidhara (कीर्तीधर), the lord of the village (called) Jandera (जण्डेरा) , wrote (this charter) charming with letters.[2]

Notable persons

Population

External links

References