Deepchand’s Almora copper plate is an important evidence, which throws light on the Chand state system. Deepchand was the last lamp of the Chand dynasty of Kumaon, whose rule lasted for more than 25 years. From the rise of the first Chand king Rudrachanddev (1565-1597) of Kumaon to the decline of this dynasty (1790), there were only two rulers, Baj Bahadur Chand (1638-1678) and Deepchand (1748-1777), who ruled for more than 25 years. During the reign of about 220 years, hundreds of copper plates were issued by kings of Almora. Most of these copper plates were issued to Brahmins and temples. The maximum number of copper plates have been obtained from Deepchand.
The Almora copper plate of Deepchand shows the influence of Joshi Brahmins on the Chand monarchy. This copper plate was issued from Almora in 1755 AD. That’s why this copper plate is called Almora copper plate of Deepchand. There are total 31 lines including 29 lines from top to bottom and two lines on the left edge on the panel of this copper plate. The third and fourth letters of the 28th line are ‘Su’ and ‘Bhan’ respectively. Means ‘Shubham’.
There was a tradition of writing Shubham at the end of the ancient records of Uttarakhand. For example, the Jahnavi Naula inscription of Gangolihat was engraved on a stone slab in 1275 AD. Shubham is also engraved at the end of this inscription. On the basis of the word ‘Shubham’, it can be said that Deepchand’s Almora copper plate Shake 1677 was engraved twice. Except the first four letters of the 28th line, the rest of the line and the twenty-ninth line and the two lines on the left side were written later.
On the top of this copper plate, a rose flower, the word Sahi and the symbol of a dagger with an ornate handle have been engraved. This copper plate is engraved in Devanagari script and Kumaoni language. Along with Kumauni, Sanskrit and Arabic-Persian language words have also been used in this copper plate writing. But most of the words of Sanskrit language have been used. A video of this copper plate was uploaded on ‘News 18 Hindi web page’ on November 8, 2022, which was read by me as follows-
Original Copper Plate Text-
1- Maharajadhiraj Shri Raja Shri Raja Deepchanddev Jyu Le Tama Patra Kari Ber
2- Hariram Sivdev Joisi Mal Parvat Ki Jagir Vagsi Baramandal Syu-
3- -nara Garkha Ka Main Bici 20 Gangola ki Kotuli That Kari Bagsi Kota Ka Par-
4-gana Main Mau Malukako Tando Hariram Joisi Bagso Mudia Ka Pargana
5- Mein Mau Dehri Duli Sivdev Joisi Bagsi In Gown Iagto Gad Ghat Le-
6- -kh Ijar Dhura Danda Sudha Payo Rohilale Mal Teepee Leechhee Hamra Ghar
7- Ka Manas Rohila Meeli Rachhya Rehila Ki Fauj Kumaon Layai Lya
8- Chhaya Amaruva Rautela Raja Kari Lyachhaya Gogouli Ki Larai bhai Inalo
9- Tan Deeyo Mal bati Hariram Joisi Fauj Laya Gololi Rohila
10- Ki Fauj Jo Kumau Ka Rohila Sang Aai Rachhya Tan Sang Larai Mari Ye
11- Deen Main Aai Ber Larai Mari Fate Kari Hamaro Raj Tanale Kayam Karo
12- Firi Aaji Mansan Le Chalo Udayo Garhwal Ka Raja Pradeep Sa-
13- -Hi Lawai Lawaya Junilo Main Pradeep Sahi Auth Lakh Gadliver
14- Aao Hamara Rajya Ka Manas Aur KumayaJo Larai Lyachhali
15- Lag Garhwal Ka Raja Sang Larai Soon Aaya Tamadhaud Li Larai Bha
16- -i Hariram Sivdev Joisi Le Apno Jiu Dhan Layo Lalach Ki
17- chhi Bat Ko Nai Karo Garhwal Ki Fauj Mari Garhwal Ko Raja Bha-
18- ji Pado Der Hazaar Garhwal maro pado Fate kari tai Din lag hamaro ra-
19- -jya kayam karo Rohilale Mal Teepee Leechhee Rohila Sang Saluk
20-Kari Ber Chhutai Tai Raut Ko Gangola Ki Kotuli Malukako Tande
21- Duli Dehri Sarvakar Akar Sarv Dwand Vishuddha Sahu Rantgali Ghodalo Ku-
22- – kuralo Vajdar Kaniya Vakhariya Rachhi Faujdari Sarv Todi Dee-
23- -nu Sarvakar Akar Kari Bagso Shri Maharajadhiraj Shri Raja Deepchan-
24- dradev Jyu Ki Santati Le Bhuchaunu Hariram Sivdev Joishi Ki Santati
25- Bhuchanu Jo Koi Rajayesi Raut Ki That Ki Jagir Te Tai Rajakan Tai
26- ka Isht Devata Ki Das Hazaar Duhahi Sake 1677 Jyeshtha Adhimas
27- Sudi 6 Sanau Mukam Rajpur Likhitam Swayam Kandaritam Bhagirath Ka-
28- -toi Subham Badokhari Ali Mahmad Ko Jamadar Naziv Khan Charhazaar Foj
29- Rohilan Ki Lee Ber Larai Su Aachhyau Hamari Tarf Sivdev Joisi H-
30- -riram Joisi Hazaar Ki Sipahi Lee Ber Larai Su Gaya Fate Bhai Rohilo Maro Kota Ki Tarf Rohila Ke-
31- Thanu uthayo Ye Baat Ki Raut Yo Jagir Sahi Rakhee Gangola Ki Kotuli Ko Seuk Myal Bahadur Garkha Sar
32- Sarv Todi Deeno.
Meaning of Copper Plate-
Maharajadhiraj Shri Raja Shri Raja Deepchanddev ji issued a copper letter and provided Maal (Tarai-Bhabar) and land in the mountain to Hariram and Shivdev Joshi. Gave 20 Bisi (400 Nali) land of Gangola Kotuli in Syunra area of Baramandal for consumption. Mauza (big village) in Kota tehsil, Malukako Tando village was donated by Hariram Joshi and Mauza Dehri Duli village in Mudia tehsil to Shivdev Joshi. All the above donated land was given along with small river, water mill, forest, mountain grass, mountain range.
The Rohillas encroached upon the Terai-Bhabar. Our family member Amar Singh Rautela brought an army of Rohillas to Kumaon. The Battle of Gaula River took place. He (Shivdev Joshi) participated in the battle and brought Hariram Joshi army from Terai-Bhabar. The Rohilla army came chasing the Kumaoni army. The Kumaoni army won the battle. They (Hariram and Shivdev Joshi) secured our state.
Today again man conspired. Raja Pradeep Shah of Garhwal was brought. Pradip Shah brought eight lakh Garhwali army in Juniyagarhi. The men of our kingdom and the Kumaonis, who brought the Garhwal king to fight, came along. The battle of Tamadon took place. Hariram and Shivdev Joshi gave up greed and brought us wealth. The Garhwal army was routed. The king of Garhwal also ran away. 1500 Garhwali were killed. We have won. They (Hariram and Shivdev Joshi) secured our state.
In order to free Terai-Bhabar from the encroachment of Rohillas, they freed Gangola Kotuli, Malukako Tande, Duli Dehri from all taxes, fees (Sahu, Rantagali, Ghodalo, Kukuralo, Bajdar, Kaniya, Bakhriya and Faujdari) in Raut (Prize). Given. The descendants of Shri Maharajadhiraj Shri Raja Deepchandradev ji will keep this land donation safe. The descendants of Hariram and Shivdev Joshi will continue to enjoy this donated land. No king should take the donated land given to him, ten thousand vows of God to him.
King Deepchand himself wrote this copper plate in Rajpur (Almora) on Shashti and Saturday of Shukla Paksha of Jyestha Adhimas of 1677. Bhagirath Katoi engraved this copper plate. Shubham.
Ali Muhammad’s Jamadar Najib Khan brought an army of 4,000 Rohillas for the battle in Badokhri. Shivdev Joshi and Hariram Joshi took one thousand Kumaoni army from our side. Victory happened. Rohilo was chased away. Rohilo raised his camp from Kota as well. For this reason, Gangola Kotuli was freed from the duties of Sevak, Myal, Bahadur, Garkhasar etc. to keep Raut or Jagir safe.