The correct option is Copper plates.
Explanation
From the Gupta period onwards, the practice of making land grants (Agrahara or Brahmadeya) to Brahmanas and religious institutions became a central feature of administration and governance. These grants transferred revenue rights and administrative authority, necessitating a permanent and legally binding record.
Analysis:
- Copper Plates (Tamrapatra): Most land grant inscriptions were recorded on copper plates. Copper was chosen for its durability and resistance to corrosion, ensuring that the legal title deed remained intact for generations. These plates typically contained details of the donor, the donee, the specific land boundaries, and the rights transferred, often authenticated with a royal seal.
- Palm Leaves: While palm leaves were the standard medium for writing manuscripts and literary texts, they are perishable and susceptible to decay. They were not suitable for permanent legal records like land grants.
- Gold Tablets and Silk Scrolls: These were not the standard media for administrative land records in ancient India. Gold was too valuable for routine administrative use, and silk was not a primary writing surface in the Indian epigraphic tradition compared to stone or metal.
Key Takeaway:
Copper plates (Tamrapatra) served as the primary medium for recording land grants in ancient India, functioning as permanent, durable legal title deeds.