Understanding Boundary Representations in the Copper-plate Charters of Early Kāmarūpa

Abstract

Taking cue from B.D. Chatopadhyaya’s seminal study on boundary markers to understand the spatial characteristics of rural settlements, a study on the boundary representations of copper-plate charters issued by three dynasties of Assam was undertaken. A close reading of the charters indicates that there was a significant variation in the pattern of delineating the boundaries. While limited boundary specifications could be seen in the copperplates of the Varmans, the Śālasthambhas initially set a pattern of describing eight boundaries of their donated lands by categorically mentioning the number eight but gradually this was overlooked. The Pālas of Kāmarūpa, on the other hand, were inclined to give much more detailed boundary specifications in their charters. These boundary denominations may be seen as an attempt by the state at gradually organising the donated lands in such a way that there remained no chance for encroachment of any other plot by the donee. The essay would also highlight the dominance of different types of water bodies in the physical landscape of Kāmarūpa thereby adhering to the consistent trend of regarding surface sources of water as landmarks isolating one rural space from another. An idea of the composition of the rural society could also be gleaned from the boundary representations of these charters. The elaborate markers help us to somewhat reconstruct the landscape of the rural settlements described in the charters and show how the boundary markers of the area can indicate a wide social cross section of people inhabiting a particular space.