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Regarding the profession of coppersmith in early
Assamese literature, we have often come across the word tamrapatra
in religious function. 68 As for example the Kalika Purana has
stressed the need for the use of tamrapatra while offering naivadya
to devi 69
Similarly, the Bargaon copper plate grant has made an
important reference about the existence of a copper mine in
Kamrupa (Kamalakara) 70 The inscribe plate made out of copper
also highlighted the popularity as well as abundant availability of
this metal in Kamrupa. Thus, it can be said that at least from the
7th century A.D (ie the date of earliest available land grants
inscribed on copper in Assam), the coppersmith emerged to be an
important profession in Kamrupa.
Now, regarding the sculptural evidences of all these
professions, no such concrete reflections are there at Madan-
Kamdeva to support their existence, except some indirect instances
like three women in a procession carrying bell like object (fig.
12.6), man with a cup in his hand while taking alcohol (fig. 19.2),
an woman (man?) poured water on Siva Linga from a Kalasa like
object (fig.19.2) etc. There is another interesting, sculptural
description in which an woman hold a mirror in one of her hand
as if she prepared herself for any occasion 71 (fig. 14.4). These
darpana in ancient time generally made out of copper (metallic.
mirror) were the highest achievement of the coppersmith. 72
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
Sarma, S.N.: Op-cit, 1989, p. 312.
KP 70/49-50.
Choudhury, P.C. : Op-cit, 1987, p. 346.
The high sense of erosions have made it now quite difficult to
confirmed the matter and under such situation, this proposition
is only because of her sitting and hand posture.
Agarwal, U. Op-cit, 1995, p.162.