The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c17.s2.t13: (9) The coinage of the Eastern Cāḷukyas of Veṅgi
The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c17.s2.t13
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(9) The coinage of the Eastern Cāḷukyas of Veṅgi
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The Eastern Cāḷukya dynasty was founded by Kubja Viṣṇuvardhana, the brother of Pulakeśin II, in 618 and maintained its sway continuously for about 450 years. There were 40 kings in the dynasty, but we possess inscribed coins of barely half a dozen of these.
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Kubja Viṣṇuvardhana had the *biruda* of Viṣhamasiddhi and it is usual to attribute gold coins with the legend Viṣhamasiddhi to him. This attribution is probable, but not certain, for this same *biruda* was later adopted by some of his successors.
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Viṣhamasiddhi's coins are in two types. On one there is a Lion in the centre and the legend *Viṣhamasiddhi* above it in early Cāḷukya characters. The reverse has a sceptre. The metal is brass, the coin being 0.65 in. in diameter.
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The second type is similar to the first, but its reverse has a double Trident within a border of rays, surmounted by a Crescent and flanked by two Lamps (Pl. LXV, 11).⁴ A hoard of these coins was found in Daulatābād in the Nalgonda district of Hyderabad. It weighed in all 4,920 tolas and therefore must have consisted of more than 12,000 coins. These coins are not silver; they are an alloy of 71 per cent. copper and 21 per cent. tin, with iron and zinc in negligible quantites. The average weight is 50 grains.
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⁴ ARMAD, 1941, p. 108, xx. 1.
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Among the later rulers of the Eastern Chālukya dynasty some are known to have issued coins. The first among these to have done so is king Śaktivarman Chālukya-chandra (A.D. 1000-11), whose coins have been known for a long time from the hoards found in the islands of Ramree and Cheduba situated off the coast of Burma and Siam. These coins were probably taken to these places either by pilgrims or by traders. Coins of this ruler have been found more recently at Masulipattan in the Krishna district.¹ His coins are in gold; there is a Boar in the centre with an Umbrella above and a Chouri on either side and the name of the king *Śrī-Chalukyachandrasa* inscribed all round, each character being separately punched. The diameter of these coins is 1.4 in. and the weight about 66 grains (Pl. LXV. 12).
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¹ IA, xix, 79.
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The kings Rājarāja (A.D. 1018-60) and Rājendra Kulottuṅga (A.D. 1070-1120) also issued coins with the same type. They are rather big, being 1.6 in. in diameter and about 66 grains in weight. They are cup-shaped. A coin of Rājarāja is illustrated on Pl. LXV, 13. Its obverse is like LXV, 12 and around the edge there are six punch-marks with one Telugu-Kannaḍa letter in each, *Śrī Ra ja rā ja sa*.