Sevvappa Nayak Coin of Thanjavur Nayak Dynasty

Thanjavur Nayak dynasty were the rulers of Thanjavur principality of Tamil Nadu between the 16th to the 17th century. The Nayaks were appointed as provincial governors by the Vijayanagar Emperor who divided the Tamil country into three Nayakships viz., Madurai, Tanjore and Gingi. Thanjavur Nayaks were notable for their patronage of literature and the arts.

Obv: Bull standing facing left with crescent moon above it.

Rev: Nagari Legend si va pa / ra ya separated by lines. Above the legend, a dagger, sun & moon are visible.

Rajagopalaswamy on Thanjavur Nayak coins

The deity Rajagopalaswamy is a form of Lord Krishna. The Rajagopalaswamy temple is located at Mannargudi town, Tamil Nadu.

The Thanjavur Nayaks are ardent devotees of Rajagopalaswamy. They ruled over Thanjavur from 1540 – 1675AD 

It saw the Golden Age of the growth of the establishment of temples in Thanjavur district and Sri Rajagopalaswamy temple is a proof of such dynamic activity.

Following are some Thanjavur coins with Rajagopalaswamy on the Obverse:

Goddess Meenakshi on Nayak Coins

Meenakshi (Tamil மீனாட்சி) is an avatar of the Hindu goddess Parvati - the consort of Shiva. The famous temple is located in Madurai.

The Madurai and Tanjavur Nayaks made great contributions to the temple.

Vijayanagara Saluva Dynasty

The Saluva dynasty was created by the Saluvas, who by historical tradition were natives of the Kalyani region of northern Karnataka in modern India. The Gorantla inscription traces their origins to this region from the time of the Western Chalukyas and Kalachuris of Karnataka. The term "Saluva" is known to lexicographers as "hawk" used in hunting. They later spread into the east coast of modern Andhra Pradesh, perhaps by migration or during the Vijayanagara conquests during the 14th century.

Genealogy or the Family chart of the Saluva Dynasty

Vijayanagara Tuluva Dynasty

Tuluva was the third dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The Tuluva were the third Hindu dynasty which ruled Vijayanagara empire. The dynasty was founded by chieftain Bunts who originally ruled southern parts of coastal Karnataka, also called Tulu Nadu[1]. Some people believe that the dynasty might have gained the name "Tuluva" because they belonged to the Tulu speaking region of Tulu Nadu and their mother tongue was the ancient Tulu language. Narasa Nayaka, the father of Krishnadevaraya is the governor of Chandragiri in Andhra and Krishnadevaraya wrote in his popular work Amuktamalyada that he is Telugu (తెలుగు వల్లభుండ - telugu vallabhunda) and it is a Telugu country (దేశంబు తెలుగు - desambu telugu). They came to power after the Saluva Dynasty.

Genealogy or the Family chart of the Tuluva Dynasty

Vijayanagara Aravidu Dynasty

The Aravidu Dynasty was the fourth and last Hindu dynasty which ruled Vijayanagara Empire in South India. Its founder was Tirumala Deva Raya, whose brother Rama Raya had been the masterful regent of the last ruler of the previous dynasty. Rama Raya's death at the Battle of Rakasa-Tangadi (also known as the Battle of Talikota) in 1565 led to the subsequent destruction of Vijayanagar by the combined forces of the Muslim states of Bijapur. The Aravidu family used their dynastic name as their surname and their gotra is Atreya.

Genealogy or the Family chart of the Aravidu Dynasty

Vijayanagara Sangama Dynasty

Foundation and early history:

The Sangama Dynasty was founded by Harihara I and Bukka. Their father had been taken prisoner in 1327 by Muhammad bin Tughluq. They converted to the Hindu religion, abandoning Islam, and founded Vijayanagara in 1336.[1]

Genealogy or the Family chart of the Sangama Dynasty

The Salar Jung Museum Hyderabad

The Salar Jung Museum was established in 1951 under the supervision of Salar Jung Estate Committee. Later, an act of Parliament known as “Salar Jung Museum Act-1961” was passed on 19^th May 1961, thereby the museum along with its extensive library was declared as an institution of national importance and the Administration was transferred to the Salar Jung Museum Board, an autonomous body, formed under the purview of the Act.

Pictures from Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam Museum

Established in the year 1980, the TTD Museum is located in Tirupati in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The type of the museum is multipurpose. It embodies art collection, stone sculptures, woodcarvings, bronzes, paintings, textiles, ivory, copper plates, arms, musical instruments and photographs.

People with various interests can visit the museum between 8am to 8pm.

It takes you through the history of Tirumala. There is no entry fee for the museum. The beautiful carvings, sculptures, artefacts, exhibits will keep you engaged.

The Venkateswara Kalyanam is beautifully presented. The ornaments of Lord Balaji are explained pictorially. The museum is treasure of information. 

Vijayanagara Period Konerirayan Coins

Konerirayan was a Vijayanagara feudatory who ruled an area from Kanchipuram to Tiruchirappalli. The coins are characterized by the presence of a bull on the obverse and the Tamil legend “Konerirayan” on the reverse.  

Some die variations as well as size variations are noticed.

Vijayanagar Feudatories , Koneri Rayan, 1487-1512, Copper jital, Humped bull standing left, facing dagger, sun and moon above Three-line Tamil legend: ko / ne ri / ra yan (கொ / னெரி / ராயன)