Artifacts of Devaraya I Unveiled in Bengaluru

A remarkable set of copper plates, dating back to the early 15th century during the reign of Devaraya I of the Sangama Dynasty, was unveiled on April 1, 2025 (Tuesday) in Bengaluru. The unveiling was jointly organized by the Falcon Coins Gallery and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

These copper plates, inscribed in Sanskrit and Kannada using Nagari characters, belong to the Vijayanagara Empire and were issued on the occasion of King Devaraya I’s coronation. Interestingly, the plates feature an image of Vamana instead of the customary Varaha, which was the royal insignia of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Dated to Saka 1328 (Nega-Chakshu, Guna Sasi, Vyaya, Karthikabe, Dasami 10, Friday), corresponding to November 5, 1406 CE, the plates provide a detailed genealogy of the Sangama dynasty, tracing lineage through Harihara and his four brothers – Kampa, Bukka, Marapa, and Muddapa.

According to K.M. Reddy, Director of Epigraphy, the plates are significant as they offer authentic and verifiable historical data. They also reaffirm the previously known coronation date of Devaraya I and record a royal grant issued during the ceremony.

Deputy Superintendent of Epigraphy, S. Nagarajappa, elaborated that the plates document King Devaraya I, son of Harihara, granting the village of Gudipalli along with two hamlets – Rajendramada and Udayapalli at the time of his coronation. The village was renamed Devarayapura Agrahara, and was divided into 61 shares to be distributed among Brahmins of various Gotras and Sutras.

The distribution included:

• 26.5 shares to Rigvedins
• 29.5 shares to Yajurvedins
• 3 shares to Shukla-Yajurvedins
• 2 shares (Devabhaga) dedicated to the deities Somanatha (Shiva) and Janardhana

The boundaries of the granted lands, located in Mulbagil Rajya in Hodenadasthala, are described in detail in Kannada.

Hardik Parekh, Manager of the Falcon Coins Gallery, highlighted the significance of this find, stating that this is the first known coronation copperplate from the Vijayanagara Empire. He further noted its rarity, placing it alongside two other yet-undeciphered coronation copperplates—one from the Maitraka Dynasty (found in Junagadh, Gujarat) and another from the Ganga Dynasty (found in Talakadu, Karnataka).