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Coinage of Vijayanagara Empire Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-12, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in Coinage of Vijayanagara Empire. Rekha HG Assistant Professor of History, Government First Grade College, Vijayanagara Bangalore 104. Abstract: Establishment of Vijayanagara Empire in used to mark their legends. Prevailing language and 1336 AD contributed to the growth of a new phase alphabets were used to mint coins. Weights of the in the development of coinage. Progenitors of the coins and the metal content exhibited their Vijayanagara Empire Harihara I and Bukka I had prosperity. Rulers had expressed clear relation the coins of Sevunas, Kakatiyas and later Pandyas between power and coinage.. Coins are of immense as their model. Of these four kingdoms, Hoysalas value as much as they throw flood of lights on the were nearest to Vijayanagara Empire not only from religious and personal life of the rulers and enable the point view of geographical proximity but also us to understand the coinage of those days.. from cultural point of view. In fact it is more suitable call the Vijayanagara Empire as the 2. Coinage issued by Vijayanagara kings golden age of south India from the numismatic point view than from any other consideration. 2.1 Coins issued by Sangamas Coins of Vijayanagara Empire can be divided in to three groups i.e. Symbols, animals and gods and Sangamas rulers initially preferred single goddess. All the three are religious and express the deities, but later included the deities with consorts. religious leanings of the kings who issued them, the Harihara I issued the coins of Hanuman and Garuda richness of gold coins, the innumerable types of figures with the inscription ‘Sri VeeraHarihara’ in gold and copper coin, rich variety of symbols the Kannada and Nagari. The coins of Bukka I have the diversity of gods and goddess, appropriate legends legend, Sri Veera Bukka Paraya, Sri Veerabhupa in various scripts and technical superiority of the (kalpa) triya. Harihara I and Bukka issued their coins deserve the special attention. Metals were coins with representation of Hanuman embossed on found in abundance both wrought and unwrought. them, which are called Hanumantharayi varahas. Copper metals were found in abundance and quick The adaptation of Hanuman was perhaps due to silver were found. Important aspect of the coins of commemorate their connection with Kishkinda the Vijayanagara is the variety of coins of reverse and capital of the monkey king Sugriva, which was the obverse. They had legends on the reverse and the source of inspiration for establishment of the obverse was reserved for gods and goddesses. dynasty, Hanuman coins may also trace the Coins shed much light on socio political and political alliance of Harihara I with Kadambas economic history as well playing a subsidiary role whose flag had representation of Hanuman. The in understanding how art was used. Garuda type coins were a reminiscence of the Yadavas hold in the territory in which they first Key words: Vijayanagara Empire, Krishnadeva began to rule. Adaptation of the Vaishava as well raya, Bukka, Gadhayana, Varaha, Pon, Pagoda, as Shaiva symbols on the reverse indicates the Suddha varaha, catholicity of vision of Harihara II who as his name suggests was a follower of Shaivism, and has figures of Nandi Sun Moon. During Devaraya II 1. Introduction the Elephant die was introduced in the Vijayanagara mint. This is explained by his being The reign of Vijayanagara which lasted for three adept in elephant hunting and his assuming the title centuries produced the illustrious rulers who issued Gagabentekara. His coins specially the copper the coins in metals of different denominations. The issues bears a representation of the scene of fight reign of a good currency system was prevalent between the king and wild tuskers elephant which during this period, coinage of Vijayanagara was was ultimately tamed down by the powerful strokes elaborate and well established, yet of the four of the spear. His other coins bears figures of Shiva- dynasties that ruled Vijayanagara, coins of second Parvathi, Vishnu-Lakshmi and the legend dynasty the Saluva dynasty are not known. Coins Prathapadevaraya, probably his copper coins have were used as medium of exchange, measure of figures of Nandhi, conch, sun, moon and the value used as Standard of deferred payments, Store legends in Kannada ‘Sri Devaraya’. of value .etc, .Coins of Vijayanagara revolutionised the trade and economy. Different symbols were Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 1783 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-12, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in 2.2 Coins issued by Saluvas changed his protecting deity from Virupaksha to Rama due to his transfer of capital from The rise of Saluva dynasty also saw the declaration Vijayanagara to Penukonda and also changed the of independence of Adhil Shah the first king of deity on his coins to Rama revels his attachment Bijapur. No coins of this dynasty is known .This towards Vaishnavism. dynasty had a short stay in power and the rulers were probably involved in establishing their 3. Vijayanagara Emblems on coins position that may be the reason for lack of coins.Saluva dynasty lasted only for two decades Details of types and symbols attain a paramount and passed on to Tuluvas. importance when coins whose assignment to a particular king becomes impossible for want of the 2.3 Coins issued by Tulvas legend or the kings name on reverse. In some coins , only the emblems are observed to the exclusion of Venkateshwara of Tirupathi seems to have the legend, in which case a knowledge of the become important from the time of Tuluvas and various types and designs would be of immense enjoyed the same position during the Aravidu help in tracing their time and mint dynasty. Krishnadevaraya under the influence of Vaishnava issued the gold varaha with the figures 3.1During Sangama era of Nandi, Durga, varaha, Counch and Discus, with the legend in Nagari’ Sri Pratapa Krishna raja’. His • Hanuman and Garuda in different posture half and quarter varahas have the figures of • Bull with a sword Balakrishna. His invasion to Orissa was due to • Elephant and King Pratapa rudra of Gajapathi had managed to occupy • Umamaheshwara, Lakshminarayana, Udayagiri and Kondavidu forts. In 1513 AD Sarswathi-Brahma, Lakshminarashima Krishna Deva Raya inflicted a severe defeat on the • Shiva and Parvathi Gajapathi and took the image of Krishna from Orissa as a war trophy and installed in the 3, 2 During Tulvas period krishnaswami temple at Hampi. To commemorate this event he also issued gold coins of 52, 26 and • Sri Rama 32 grains which contained a Balakrishna figure on • Counch them. On his way back he paid a visit to Tirupathi • Discus and performed the kanakabisheka to lord • Garuda Venkateshwara with help of gold coins specially • Boar minted for this purpose. Though he was under the • Elephant Bull influence of Vaishnava he continued the Shiva Parvathi type coins out of regard for family deity. Srirangaraya is stated to have conferred upon the 3.3 During Aravidu time East India Company the right of coining money as • Sri Rama the stipulation that the latter should stamp the • Venkateshwara with consorts figure of Shiva and parvathi on their coins • Boar 2.4 Coins issued by Aravidus • Hanuman • Vishnu and Lakshmi seated The Attribution of coins of the Aravidu rulers provides a great challenge; Ramaraya and his The earlier issues of the Vijayanagara currency is brothers started minting coins in their names in inscribed with distinctly figures of Shiavite gods about 1560 AD. Srirangaraya I issued copper such as Shiva and Parvathi and also favoured the coins have the depiction of Garuda or Vaishnava faith, while the, Tulvas and Aravidus Garudaberunda on the obverse and legend Sri were pre-dominantly adherents of Vaishnava Rangaraya on reverse. The Aravidu kings put the figures of Lord Venkateshwara with the legend 4. Denominations of coins ‘Sri Venkatapatiraya. They were great adherents of the Vaishnava religion as can be summarised A uniform standard weight of the pagodas were from their names and their family gods. introduced, the metallic value of the various coins Tirumalaraya issued the coin of Vishnu and and shape of the different coins were fixed. The Lakshmi seated with the Kings hands folded. coinage was subdivided in to various Venkata II issued the coins of Venkateshwara denominations such as Gadhayana, Varaha, Pon, with consorts. Venkataraya issued a coin as Pagoda, and Suddha varaha, Ghatti.Doddavaraha, Venkatesha standing as at Tirupati. Tirumalaraya Chakra gadyana, Tara (silver) Jtal, pana and Kasu Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 1784 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-12, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in were of Copper. Nagari alphabet was used in the 6.2 Silver coins public records. Half gold varahas of Harihara II are of 26.4 grains. The gold varahas of Devaraya I are Many foreign travellers who had paid visit to 52.3 grains in weight. Krishna Deva Raya issued Vijayanagara Empire had mentioned the usage of gold varaha of 52 grains. Harihara II issued one- silver coins in the kingdom. They were being eighth varaha of copper in six grains in weight, and referred to as taur, tar, fara and tarh. Some had issued an order that taxes should be paid in inscription refers to them as Tara. Abdul Razzak money instead of in kind. This led to the coining of mentions silver taur as equal to one-fifth of a gold several fractions to suite the requirements of pana. Hence it is clear that there were two types of administration; the multifarious symbols found on silver Tara coins.
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