1897 ] Dr. Hoernle —Gauhafi Copper-plate Grant of Indrapala. 
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The Gauhati Copper-plate Grant of Indrapala of Pragjyotisa in 
Asdrn. 1 —By Dr. A. F. Rcjdolf Hoernle. 
(With Plates III-V.) 
This grant was given to me by Mr. E. A. Gait, C.S., in September 
1893. It is the property of a Mandat (patwdrl ) named Dhairjyanatli, 
and was found some thirty years ago by that man’s relation Tanuram 
Deka (deceased), while breaking up for cultivation a piece of high land 
in the village Bar Panara, Mauza Pati Darrang, District Kamrup. 
The grant consists of three copper-plates, which are joined together 
by a massive, pear-shaped ring. The ring passes through circular holes, 
in the middle of the narrower side of the plates ; and attached to it is 
the king’s seal. 
Each plate measures 9| by 6 inches. They were originally about 
| of an inch thick, but they (especially the third) are now worn quite thin 
along their margins. The obverse of the first plate and reverse of the 
last plate are blank. The inscription, accordingly, covers only four sides 
of the plates. The first inscribed side bears 14 lines, the second and 
third, 15 lines each, and the fourth side has only 9 lines. The letters 
are as a rule j of an inch long. They are clearly cut, though not very 
deep, and are very fairly legible, except just along the margins, where 
the metal is very much worn. 
The seal is heart-shaped, measuring 4| by 3 inches. Its area is 
divided into two parts, by a ledge running across it, about \ of an inch 
high. In the triangular space, above the ledge, is placed the figure of an 
elephant, showing in very high relief every line and feature of its great 
bulk en face. The figure measures from the back ground to the edge of 
the frontal bone three-quarters of an inch. In the semi-circular com¬ 
partment, below the ledge, is the inscription of the king’s name, in 
letters of a size slightly larger than in the grant. Round the edge of 
the seal runs a raised rim, nearly one inch in height, very little 
1 On the three Plates read Indrapala for Mahendrapfda. 
