A vikrayapatra recording Bālasundara Thāpā's obtaining of two former slaves of his from Bhairava Siṃ (VS 1889)
ID: E_2824_0044
Edited and
translated by Manik Bajracharya
Created: 2017-05-09;
Last modified: 2018-06-22
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Abstract
This deed officializes Bālasundara Thāpā’s purchase of two slaves whom he had previously owned. The price paid was 101 rupees.
Diplomatic edition
[1r]
1श्री\1सहि1स्वस्तिश्रीलिषितंवालसुन्दरथापाआगे•डम्वर्याकमारो१रंगी2कमारि१अघिइकमारिहाम्रैघरवाटगंगाप्रसादगिरिकाघरमाजादाहा
3म्राजेठादाज्युलेदिव्यच्याकारह्याछन्हामिभाइवस्याकापनिथियौ
4नगौराइपनिषायाकोथियेनं•झगरापनिगर्याकोथियेन
5आजकमारोहाम्राघरवस्नआउदा•भैरवसिलेयेकसययेक
6रूपयालियोमोल्नपटक्गरिमैलेकिन्या•योकमारो•कमा
7रिजाग्यस्वरगिरिकनरसुव्यानिकन•मैलेनदिनु•दिया
8भन्याभैरवसिलेवाधिलैजानु•मठमामैलेदिंनभन्या
9आज•कीन्यावेच्याकोसहि•जस्लेकुराफेर्लास्वझुठा
10साछि•इन्द्रविरषत्रिप्रतापथापाउतरकुमारथापा
11सम्वत१८८९मिति:फागुनवदि७रोज१शुभम्
Translation
[1r]
Signature1
Hail! Written by Bālasundara Thāpā.
Āge: My eldest brother unexpectedly gave-sold the slave boy Ḍambaryā and the slave girl Raṅgī when they [once] went from our own house to the house of Gaṅgāprasāda Giri. We brothers had not gathered [to discuss the matter]. We had neither have any earnest (gaurāi), nor did we institute legal proceedings (jhagarā). Today the slaves have come [back] to stay in our house, [and] Bhairava Siṃ took one hundred one rupees [for them]. I bought [the slaves] after bargaining. This slave boy and slave girl should not be given to Jāgyasvara Giri or Subyānī. If they are given [to them], Bhairava Siṃ should take [the slaves] away bound. I have declared that I will not give [the slaves] to the maṭha. The transaction today has been endorsed (sahi). Whoever alters [the terms of] the matter, will be [considered in the] wrong. Witnesses: Indravira Khatrī, Pratāpa Thāpā [and] Utara Kumāra Thāpā.
Sunday, the 7th of the dark fortnight of Phālguna in the [Vikrama] era year 1889 (1833 CE). Auspiciousness.
Commentary
The content of this document is confusing. This much seems clear: the eldest brother of Bālasundara Thāpā had sold the two slaves to Gaṅgāprasāda Giri without consent from his brothers, and Bālasundara obtained the slaves back by paying 101 rupees. Bhairava Siṃ is perhaps an authority who apparently had brought the slaves back to Bālasundara, and he has been declared responsible to take the slaves away in case they are ever given back to Jāgyasvara Giri and Subyānī. The identities of Jāgyasvara Giri and Subyānī are not clear. One can assume that they are relatives of Gaṅgāprasāda and that all three have ties to the same maṭha.
This document, even though of pre-Mulukī Ain period, depicts a situation that is covered under Article 81, Section 1 of the Mulukī Ain (MA-KM VS 2022: 352) dealing with a brother's selling of slaves or domestic animals without consulting other brothers.