KOCHI: A few weeks after the historically- important copper plates (cheppedu) of Chazhoor Kovilakom were handed over to Hill Palace Museum authorities, the family members have approached the state government alleging that the cheppedu were handed over by an unauthorised person who is not a member of the family. Chazhoor Kovilakam is the ancestral family of Cochin royal family.
The members of Chazhoor family said that cheppedu were handed over by a relative, and not a member of the family.
“The real inheritors of the plates came to know about it through news and we all felt humiliated,” they said.
The family members have submitted a memorandum to the Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph urging him to take steps to return the centuries-old copper plates which contains information regarding the history of Chazhoor Kovilakom.
The copper plates are believed to have been prepared in the year 1785. There are 10 leaves which are 14 inch long and two inch wide. The details of lease and extent of land held by the family then are written on these metal leaves in Vattezhuth script.