Obv: Seated Hanuman (monkey god) facing right; chowry
(fly-whisk) and shankh (conch) at sides, ankus (goad) below, Kannada letters
"NA / KA/ RA" in exergue (meaning Nakareshvara, the presiding deity
of Bankapura).
Rev: Ornamental floral scroll within decorative border.
This is one of the most beautiful indigenous medieval coin of
India. It is said beauty lies in the eyes of the and I am certainly
spellbound by the artistry of this coin.
The Kadambas achieved autonomy in the Deccan under Chattadeva
(980-1031 AD). His grandson Toyimadeva (1048-1075 AD) was the only ruler to
strike named coinage. Anonymous pagodas and fanams were struck in the 12th-13th
centuries, the dynasty ending with the expansion of the Delhi sultanate into
the region in the early 1300's.
At a mundane level Hanuman represents an ideal human, an upright
man, a trusted and devoted friend (of Rama), a statesman and a brave warrior.
Countless temples in India are dedicated to "Bajrang Bali" as Hanuman
is also popularly called. Students evoke his name before any exam hoping for
divine intervention to pass it even without studying! Ladies pay respect to his
noble and brave character hoping their menfolk also imbibe similar traits while
men love his 'macho' image of lifting mountain, slaying demons, protecting
women and selfless devotion to family and friends.
"Hanuman"
is India's version of an ancient "Superman"!! As per the popular
legend on the Ram-Darbar Token "Ram Lakshman Janaki, Jai Bolo Hanuman
Ki".
Blog Post Author: Mitresh Singh
