{
  "book_metadata": {
    "book_name": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials",
    "book_author": "M. K. Kuriakose",
    "publisher": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge",
    "published_on": "2011"
  },
  "chunks": [
    {
      "chunk_index": 1,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        10
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00034-9ffb7dc6bb98f3a990b5.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "The Copper Plate Grants",
      "chunk_data": "15. THE COPPER PLATES (849 A.D.)\nGrants made by Ayyanadikal, King of Venad, to the new church at Quilon (built by Marwan Sabriso) in 849 A.D. were inscribed on two sets of copper plates, known as the Tarisapalli copper plates.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Ayyanadikal",
          "Marwan Sabriso"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Venad",
          "Quilon"
        ],
        "event": "Ayyanadikal granted lands and privileges to the new church at Quilon through copper-plate inscriptions.",
        "tags": [
          "Christianity",
          "Politics",
          "Church Institutions"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 2,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        10
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00034-9ffb7dc6bb98f3a990b5.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "The Two Sets of Plates",
      "chunk_data": "These are mostly written in Tamil-Malayalam, but two plates are in Pahlavi and Arabic. Of the two sets, the first consists of three plates. One of these is in the custody of the Orthodox Church, another is in the custody of the Mar Thoma Church, and the third is lost.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [],
        "places": [
          "Quilon"
        ],
        "event": "The Tarisapalli copper plates are described by language, number, and present custody.",
        "tags": [
          "Christianity",
          "Documents",
          "Church Institutions"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 3,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        10
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00034-9ffb7dc6bb98f3a990b5.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Historical Value of the Plates",
      "chunk_data": "A translation is found in Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai, Studies in Kerala History, pp. 371-373. Both sets, constituting the earliest details concerning the Christian community in India from India itself, provide valuable information concerning the high social position enjoyed by Christians in that part of India at that time.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai"
        ],
        "places": [
          "India",
          "Kerala"
        ],
        "event": "The copper plates are identified as the earliest Indian source describing the Christian community and its high social position.",
        "tags": [
          "Christianity",
          "Social History",
          "Documents"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 4,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        11
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00035-f473c2eb7465b77ea901.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "The Fifth Regnal Year",
      "chunk_data": "Hail Prosperity! This is the 5th regnal year of King Sthanu Ravi who has many hundreds of thousands of years to rule, vanquishing his enemies. In this year Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi, ruler of Venad, in consultation with his officers, ministers, the representatives of the Anjuvannam and Manigramam, and the chief of Punnathala, granted this Viduperu to the Tarisappally built by Eso da Tapir at Kurakkeni Kollam.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD, the fifth regnal year of King Sthanu Ravi"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "King Sthanu Ravi",
          "Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi",
          "Eso da Tapir"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Venad",
          "Punnathala",
          "Kurakkeni Kollam"
        ],
        "event": "In the fifth regnal year of King Sthanu Ravi, Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi granted Viduperu to the Tarisappally at Kurakkeni Kollam.",
        "tags": [
          "Politics",
          "Christianity",
          "Land Grants"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 5,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        11
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00035-f473c2eb7465b77ea901.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Tax Exemptions for Families",
      "chunk_data": "Four families of Ezhavas, in which there are eight toddy tappers (the total numbering twelve) and one family of washermen should be exempted from the payment of taxes on profession, tax on thatching houses, aids for wearing ornaments and for performing marriages, Iravuchoru (forced tax in times of famine) and the sales tax on oil at the rate of one nazhi per kudam (pot).",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Ezhavas",
          "Washermen"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Venad"
        ],
        "event": "The copper-plate grant exempted four Ezhava families and one washerman family from specified taxes and customary charges.",
        "tags": [
          "Law",
          "Economy",
          "Social History"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 6,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        11
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00035-f473c2eb7465b77ea901.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Church Rights and Protections",
      "chunk_data": "The rights of Varakkol, Kappam and Panchakandi previously granted to the church are granted by me also. All taxes to be paid by these four Ezhava families and one washerman family are hereby granted, by deed engraved on copper plate, to the Tarisapally. The Ezhavas are permitted to take their carts inside the fort and the bazaar for trading purposes. The washerman is also permitted to carry on his profession within the bazaar and the fort. The Police officer, the Fort officer, and any other government official shall not prevent them on any account.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi",
          "Ezhavas",
          "Washerman"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Venad"
        ],
        "event": "Ayyanadikal confirmed the church's rights and protected the trading and occupational privileges of the Ezhava and washerman families.",
        "tags": [
          "Law",
          "Economy",
          "Christianity"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 7,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        11
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00035-f473c2eb7465b77ea901.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "The Grant Made Permanent",
      "chunk_data": "The church shall enquire into any crime committed by these people. These rights granted as Attiperu by this copper plate shall be enjoyed so long as the earth, moon and the sun last. Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi made this grant to the Tarisapally through the efforts of Maruvan Sapir Eso. Christ will bless those who protect this grant. Signed Ayyan.\nWitnesses: Velkula Sundaran. Vijaya..",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi",
          "Maruvan Sapir Eso",
          "Velkula Sundaran",
          "Vijaya"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Venad"
        ],
        "event": "The copper plate granted permanent judicial and other privileges to the Tarisapally, with Ayyanadikal's signature and named witnesses.",
        "tags": [
          "Law",
          "Christianity",
          "Religion"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 8,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        11
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00035-f473c2eb7465b77ea901.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "The Second Set of Plates",
      "chunk_data": "The second set consists of four plates, of which three are in the custody of the Orthodox Church and one is in the custody of the Mar Thoma Church. A translation is given in Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai, Studies in Kerala History, pp. 373-375. Cited in C. V. Cheriyan, A History of Christianity in Kerala, pp. 112-115.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai",
          "C. V. Cheriyan"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Kerala"
        ],
        "event": "The second set of Tarisapalli copper plates is described and its translations are cited.",
        "tags": [
          "Christianity",
          "Documents",
          "Church Institutions"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 9,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        11,
        12
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00035-f473c2eb7465b77ea901.webp",
        "raw\\pages\\00036-db758497c68ef6b1132f.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Land Cultivation and Boundaries",
      "chunk_data": "Two families... four families of Vellalas and one family of wood cutters shall cultivate the land. They all shall cultivate the land of the Tevar (Christ) and supply to the church without fail oil and other necessaries. This land was granted to the Tarisapally through Maruvan Sapir Eso who founded this merchant guild.\nThe boundaries of this land are fixed in the presence of and in consultation with the Koyiladhikari Vijayaraga Tevar, Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi, Rama Tiruvadi (the crown-prince), ministers, officers, the Six Hundred, the chief of Punnathala and the chief of Polai family. The boundaries are marked by walking a she-elephant with earth and water around the property. The eastern limit of the land is Vayalkad, including the lake, the south-east boundary is the Chiruvat ilkal wall and the ocean in the west. Toranathottam is the northern limit and Andilanthottam of Punnathala is the north-eastern boundary. The land within these boundaries is granted permanently so long as the earth, moon and the sun exist, after consulting Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi, Rama Tiruvadi and the Koyiladhikari.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Maruvan Sapir Eso",
          "Vijayaraga Tevar",
          "Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi",
          "Rama Tiruvadi"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Vayalkad",
          "Punnathala",
          "Polai",
          "Tarisapally"
        ],
        "event": "The second copper-plate grant assigned cultivation duties and permanently defined the boundaries of land granted to the Tarisapally.",
        "tags": [
          "Land Grants",
          "Law",
          "Christianity"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 10,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        12
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00036-db758497c68ef6b1132f.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Church Control of Taxes",
      "chunk_data": "The church alone shall collect taxes on professions. Our officers shall not go. The church and the land shall be protected by the Anjuvannam and the Manigramam. The Anjuvannam and Manigramam are bound to act according to instructions contained in the copper plates so long as the earth, moon and the sun exist. This is granted as Viduperu to the Tarisapally in the presence of Vijayaraga Tevar, the Koyiladhikari, Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi and Rama Tiruvadi.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Vijayaraga Tevar",
          "Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi",
          "Rama Tiruvadi"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Tarisapally"
        ],
        "event": "The church received exclusive authority to collect occupational taxes, while the Anjuvannam and Manigramam were assigned to protect the church and its land.",
        "tags": [
          "Law",
          "Economy",
          "Christianity"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 11,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        12
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00036-db758497c68ef6b1132f.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Trade Tax Exemptions",
      "chunk_data": "Tax of 1/60 shall not be collected when goods are brought in. No tax shall be collected on sale of goods. Slave tax shall not be imposed on the slaves bought by the church. A tax of 8 Kasu can be collected from vehicles when they come as well as when they go; 4 Kasu can be collected from the boats when they come and go. Tax on taxable commodities shall be determined in the presence of the church representatives.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [],
        "places": [
          "Tarisapally"
        ],
        "event": "The grant exempted incoming goods and sales from taxation while regulating charges on vehicles, boats, and taxable commodities.",
        "tags": [
          "Economy",
          "Law",
          "Trade"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 12,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        12
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00036-db758497c68ef6b1132f.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Church Consultation Rights",
      "chunk_data": "When prices are fixed as well as when any matter relating to the King is decided, representatives of the church must be consulted. Daily tax collection shall be kept sealed by the Anjuvannam and the Manigramam. If the land within these four boundaries granted to the church is given Karabmai, the King's share of 1/10 shall be paid to the general treasury and the share of 1/10 to the chieftain shall be collected by the Anjuvannam and the Manigramam.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "King of Venad",
          "Anjuvannam",
          "Manigramam"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Tarisapally"
        ],
        "event": "The church was granted consultation rights in pricing and royal matters, while tax collection and revenue shares were regulated.",
        "tags": [
          "Politics",
          "Economy",
          "Law"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 13,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        12
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00036-db758497c68ef6b1132f.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Seventy-Two Church Privileges",
      "chunk_data": "Seventy-two privileges (usually granted to high dignitaries) carrying earth and water on the back of the elephant on marriage occasions and others are granted to the church as Viduperu, in the presence of the Koyiladhikarikal Vijayaraga Tevar, and with the consent of Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi, Rama Tiruvadi, ministers, officers, the Six Hundred and the chiefs of Punnathala and Polakudi. These privileges mentioned in the copper plate grant shall be enjoyed permanently so long as the earth, moon and the sun last.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Vijayaraga Tevar",
          "Ayyanadikal Tiruvadi",
          "Rama Tiruvadi"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Punnathala",
          "Polakudi"
        ],
        "event": "The church received seventy-two privileges traditionally granted to high dignitaries, including ceremonial elephant processions.",
        "tags": [
          "Religion",
          "Law",
          "Social History"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 14,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        12
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00036-db758497c68ef6b1132f.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Protection of Church Complaints",
      "chunk_data": "If the church has any complaint, the Anjuvannam and the Manigramam shall even suspend the payment of tolls, customs duties and sales taxes, and settle the complaint. If the Anjuvannam and Manigramam which are entrusted with the protection of this guild commit any crime it shall be remedied by themselves. Both of them shall jointly act which alone shall be binding.",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Anjuvannam",
          "Manigramam"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Tarisapally"
        ],
        "event": "The Anjuvannam and Manigramam were required to resolve church complaints and jointly enforce the guild's protections.",
        "tags": [
          "Law",
          "Church Institutions",
          "Politics"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "chunk_index": 15,
      "chapter_name": "849. The Copper Plates",
      "page_numbers": [
        12
      ],
      "image_paths": [
        "raw\\pages\\00036-db758497c68ef6b1132f.webp"
      ],
      "chunk_title": "Sapir Eso's Rights",
      "chunk_data": "Sapir Eso who founded this guild and who became its owner shall keep the Varakkol and Panchakandi already received by the church. He shall weigh the articles and the church shall be given the weighing charges. This right is also granted by me permanently so long as the earth, sun and moon last, to be enjoyed by succeeding generations...",
      "time": {
        "start_year": 849,
        "start_month": null,
        "start_date": null,
        "end_year": 849,
        "end_month": null,
        "end_date": null,
        "time_display": "849 AD"
      },
      "meta": {
        "people": [
          "Sapir Eso"
        ],
        "places": [
          "Tarisapally"
        ],
        "event": "Sapir Eso retained specified guild rights, while the church received the weighing charges and permanent succession of the grant.",
        "tags": [
          "Economy",
          "Law",
          "Christianity"
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}