| Metadata | |
|---|---|
| Object ID | OB00004 |
| Title | Gaya Plate of Samudragupta |
| Subtitle | |
| Inscription(s) | IN00004 |
| Child Object | |
| Parent Object | |
| Related Objects | OB00004a OB00004b |
| Responsibility | |
| Author | J. F. Fleet |
| Metadata recorded by | Michael WILLIS |
| Authority for metadata | Gaur, A. (1975). Indian Charters on Copper Plates in the Department of Oriental Manuscripts and Printed Books. London: British Museum Publications. |
| Metadata improved by | |
| Authoriy for improved | |
| Description | |
| Material | Metal / copper |
| Object Type | Plate |
| Dimensions: | |
| Width | 26.5 |
| Height | 18 |
| Depth | not recorded |
| Weight | 1200 |
| Details | A single copper plate inscribed on one side only. No raised rims. An oval seal is attached to the left edge, rotated 90° counterclockwise with respect to the inscription. About one quarter of the height of the seal overlaps the plate; the width of the whole object is an estimate based on this. The characters and the material of the seal both seem different than those of the plate, and the seal is probably a genuine one from Samudragupta's time, while the plate is thought to be a copy (or a forged document) produced in the early 8th century. |
| History | |
| Created: | |
| Date | Seal: circa 400 CE; plate: circa ninth century CE. |
| Place | |
| Other ancient history | The plate is a medieval forgery, with an original Gupta seal attached. |
| Found: | |
| Date | 19th century |
| Place | Gayā |
| Other modern history | The object entered the British Museum under the number 1894,0729.59 and was transferred to the BL collections in 1973. |
| Latest: | |
| Date | 2019 |
| Place | British Library |
| Authority | Gaur, A. (1975). Indian Charters on Copper Plates in the Department of Oriental Manuscripts and Printed Books. London, British Museum Publications. |
| Details | Obtained by Cunningham at Gayā before 1883, circumstances not reported. |
| Notes | |