Much of what we know about many medieval royal dynasties comes from sasanas, or charters. Some dynasties are solely known through these official records. These charters were originally recorded on palm leaves. Later records were carved on stone walls in temples and caves, but more commonly these title-deeds were engraved on copper plates which were then hidden away in a safe place. The copper plates have been found all over India, some in walls or foundations, or buried in fields and marked by a cache of stones.

Many charters were written in Sanskrit, though regional languages were used as well. A typical charter began with some sort of invocation and then identifies the royal donor along with his titles and lineage. His major exploits and personal qualities were then articulated. Next, the particulars of the grant were recorded, and the recipient named. His lineage was included too, and the reason he merited the grant. Penalties for failure to honor the grant closed the document.


Read about some of the copper plates found by archaeologists:

Bjanja dynasty plates

Anantavarman plates


Source:
Keay, John. India: A History. New York: Grove Press, 2000.