Paliyam copper plates
The Paliyam copper plates, also known as "Sreemoolavasam cheppedukal" were issued by Ay king Vikramaditya Varaguna in the fifteenth year of his rule. The topic of the plates is the donation of land to Thirumoolapadam (Sri Mulavasam), a Buddhist institution. In the beginning of the inscription, Varaguna is described as "vrishnikulajathan" and a Buddha devotee.
The plates were discovered by T. A. Gopinatha Rao. According to Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai, the plates date back to AD 929 (Makaram 7, Kollavarsham 104). But more credibility is to the finding of M.G.S. Narayanan that these date back to AD 898.
According to the inscription, a huge number of land holdings were donated to the Sreemoolavasam. The upkeep of the lands are believed to have been vested with Prince Indukotha, an heir to the throne, during the reign of Veerakotha Kulasekhara. A mangalacharana praising Buddha, dharma, and sangha is inscribed in the plates. They also mention about Paranthaka Chola's attack on Kerala.
References
- http://www.keralaculture.org
- Menon, A Sreedhara A Survey Of Kerala History – Kerala (India) – 1967
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