Jewish Copper Plate

Jewish Copper Plate was an Indian copper plate grant given to Cochin Jews by Kulasekhara (Later Chera dynasty) king Bhaskara Ravi Varman I (962-1019 A.D.), immortalizing himself in Kerala history. This inscription conferred on a "Jewish Chief Joseph Rabban, the rights of the Anjuvannam and 72 other properietary rights."

The inscription from the Sasanam outlining the grant of rights to Jewish Chief Ousepp Irabban by Kulasekhara king Bhaskara Ravi Varman

During the visit of Ariel Sharon to India in 2003, the then Tourism minister of Kerala, K. V. Thomas presented Sharon with a replica of the copper plate issued by the Bhaskara Ravi Varman II, king of Cochin, to "Ousepp Irabban" (interpreted to be Joseph Rabban, the leader of the Jewish community of Cochin state), with permission to own, inhabit, trade and prosper in an exclusive island on the port of Kodungallur, (referred to as muziris by western authors including Pliny the Elder). The Cochin Jews had a peaceful existence, free from persecution ( the only two notable exceptions being the brief periods of Portuguese and Dutch colonial rule over Cochin) in coastal towns like Kodungallur, Mala, Paravoor (also referred to as North parur, and Jew town near Mattancheri.

List of Chera kings Early Cheras Uthiyan Cheralathan  ·   Nedum Cheralathan  ·   Selva Kadumko Valiathan   ·   Senguttuvan Chera  · Illam Cheral Irumporai  ·   Mantaran Cheral Interregnum (c.300–800)

Later Cheras Kulashekhara Varma 800-820 Rajashekhara Varma 820-844 Sthanu Ravi Varma 844-885 Rama Varma Kulashekhara 885-917 Goda Ravi Varma 917-944 Indu Kotha Varma 944-962 Bhaskara Ravi Varma I 962-1019 Bhaskara Ravi Varma II 1019-1021 Vira Kerala 1021-1028 Rajasimha 1028-1043 Bhaskara Ravi Varma III 1043–1082 Ravi Rama Varma 1082-1090 Rama Varma Kulashekhara 1090-1102

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The text of the Sasanam translates as follows: "We have granted to Joseph Rabban the village of Anjuvannam together with the 72 proprietary rights, tolls on boats and carts, the revenue and title of Anjuvannam, the lamp of the day, a cloth spread in front to walk on, a palanquin, a parasol, a Vaduga (i.e., Teluge) drum, a trumpet, a gate way, a garland, decoration with festoons, and so forth.

"We have granted him the land tax and weight tax; moreover, we have sanctioned with these copper plates that he need not pay the dues which the inhabitants of the other cities pay the Royal palace, and that he may enjoy the benefits which they enjoy. To Joseph Rabban the Prince of Anjuvannam and to his descendants sons and daughters and to his nephews, and to the sons-in-law who married his daughters in natural succession. So long as the world and moon exist, Anjuvannam shall be his hereditary possession. Hail."