Inscriptions cast on bronze are common in East Asia from the second millennium BCE, but less well known is that inscribed or cast inscriptions also played a significant role in South Asia. From the third century CE, copper-plate charters, legal documents establishing ownership as land-deeds of land grants, were made throughout India. They would start with a written speech honoring the donor, followed by the details of the grants, and the penalties for violation. Indestructibility was the major reason for their manufacture.

This grant of Prince Kr̥ṣṇarāja II of the (Gujarat branch of the) Rāṣṭrakūta Dynasty, consists of three copper plates, of which only the middle one is inscribed on both sides. Held together by a ring, they bear the dynastic seal, the god Śiva holding two snakes. It documents the granting of a village, Kaviṭhasāḍhi in Koṅkaṇa, to two Brāhmaṇas.

Gift of Robert Garrett, Class of 1897, 1942

Princeton Indic Manuscripts IM 98

For further reading

Hulzsch, E. “A Râṭhor grant no. IV: a grant of Kṛishṇa II of Ankuleśvar, of 888 A.D.” Indian Antiquary 13 (1884): 65-9.

This artist’s book was crafted in response to protests opposing India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019. The first layer contains the preamble to the Indian Constitution, meant to secure justice, liberty, and equality to all citizens. Overlaying this are narratives of violence against protesters. The CAA offered religious minorities from some South Asian countries a path to citizenship in India, but notably excluded Muslims. The use of copper plates here connote unwavering strength.

Graphic Arts, Alma-8897q

For further reading

Kashi, Ravikumar. Ravikumar Kashi. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://www.ravikashi.com/

‘Everything will be remembered' a palimpsest, by Ravikumar Kashi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aezWZ_D0MyI

2:31

No sound

In this video, this modern artist’s book (shown later in this exhibition), is leaved through plate by plate, allowing a fuller comprehension of the work. For the background, see the corresponding label for item 63.

Originally produced by the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Used here with permission.

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