This set of 8 copper plates was unearthed alongside a second Śālaṅkāyana copper plate in the village of Kānukollu, Guḍivāḍa taluk in 1940. The copper plates were found in the earth near the ramparts of an old fort, gold and lead coins have also been found in the same location.
The plates are secured together with a ring and seal and the chart records the donation of the village of Piḍiha by Nandivarman to the Chāturvaidya community in Rathakāra. The donation was made to increase the spiritual merit of Nandivarman and to increase the fame of Bālakamahārāja-kumāra Khaṁdapotta.
The charter was issued from Vēṅgīpura, which has been identified as the modern village of Pedavegi on the 1st day of the 2nd fortnight of the rainy season in the 14th year of Nandivarman’s reign.
Krishna Rao 1955-56 argues that this charter was issued by Nandivarman I and is not the same Nandivarman of the Pedavegi copper plate.
(1-6) From the victorious city of Veṅgī, by the command of the glorious great king Nandivarman, who is favored by (or: who has embraced) the feet of his lord father, in the village of Piḍiha, the village headed by the mutuḍa, all complete—the men of good family (kulaputta) and constables (bhaḍamanussā) [appointed to] all duties and services—are to be addressed (thus):
(7-15) ‘For here by me, in order to increase our merit (dharma), longevity and strength, and desiring the peace and prosperity of the infant crown-prince Khandapotta, has been given this village of Piḍiha, in accordance with the rules of the Rathakāra settlement, to the community of Caturvedins of the Rathakāra settlement, which is capable of both of cursing and of showing kindness, which belongs to various lineages and schools and is steeped in austerities as well the study of the Vedas.
(16-30) And I confer to this settlement these immunities: it is not to be entered (by royal officers without permission); not to be interfered with; not to be dug for salt; not to be controlled by the (superordinate) territory; not to supply water-pots, boiled rice and cots; not to supply grass, betel leaves, vegetables, flowers, fruit, curd, milk, ghee and butter-milk; etc. With these exemptions and all other types of exemptions that have not been written due to erroneous omission, you shall exempt (this village) and (also) cause (it) to be exempted. Whosoever, failing to respect this edict, would cause trouble or harassment, of him we would not approve.’
I.
The king who does not rescue or sustain what is given by himself or given by another, surely (dhruvam) drinks the poison (named) hālahala from birth to birth.
II.
By many land has been given and by many protected. Whoever holds land at a given moment, to him does the fruit then belong.
(38-40) Year 14, (fortnight of the) rainy season 2, day 1. The executor is Hatthisāmi, (who is) the son of mahārāja, son of Koṁgala (mahārājaputo koṁgalaputto), and the best among ministers (in charge of) the seizure of (i.e. recovering, reclaiming) stolen goods (?).