The Kadambas were an ancient ruling family of Karnataka, who had founded the first indigenous Kannadiga kingdom in Banavasi in the 4th century. That kingdom lasted for some 200 years, but eventually came under the Chalukyas of Badami, becoming their feudatories. It appears that the family may have remained in this position of vassalage to the Chalukyas of Badami and then to the Rashtrakutas. Then, in the late 10th century, the Kadambas supported the Chalukyas of Kalyan in their struggle against the Rashtrakutas. After the Rashtrakutas were defeated, it appears the Kalyani Chalukyas gave the Kadambas some measure of independence, one branch in Hangal and another in Goa. The Kadambas of Goa enjoyed this period of independence for over 250 years, during which they issued a handsome series of gold coins. They eventually succumbed to an invasion from the Yadavas of Devagiri in the first half of the 13th century. Eventually this territory fell to Alauddin Khilji and, after a brief period as part of the Delhi Sultanate, was absorbed into the Bahmani kingdom. Jayakesin I (c. 1050-70) or II (c. 1119-47) Jayakesin I (c. 1050-70) or II (c. 1119-47) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.40 gm., Diam: 20 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 5-line Nagari legend: Sri Sapta ko / tisa Labdhavara / Vira Jayakesi / deva Malavara / mari Sivachitta (c. 1147-81) Sivachitta (c. 1147-81) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.40 gm., Diam: 19 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 5-line Nagari legend: Sri Sapta koti / sa Labdhavara Si / vachitta Vira Vina /      vala Malla de(va Ma / lavaramari The legend reading is tentative. Sivachitta (c. 1147-81) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.40 gm., Diam: 20 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 5-line Nagari legend: Sri Sapta ko / tisa Labdhava / ra Sri Sivachitta Vira / vara deva Malava / ramari Slight legend variation. Soyideva (c. 1217-36) Soyideva (c. 1217-36) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.36 gm., Diam: 17 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 4-line Nagari legend: Sri Sapta ko / tisvara Charana / Labdhavara So / yi deva With Soyideva, the coins lost their border, became smaller and their style deteriorated. Soyideva (c. 1217-36) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.36 gm., Diam: 17 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 4-line Nagari legend: Sri Sapta ko / tisvara Charana / Labdhavara vira/ Ma(!)yi deva On this coin, the word vira reappears, but the king's name reads Mayideva instead of Soyideva! Anonymous Coins Anonymous Gold pagoda Weight: 3.73 gm., Diam: 14 mm. Lion left, lingam at left / 2-line Nagari legend: Sri Malaha / ra mari The issuing king is not identified on this coin. Anonymous Gold fanam Weight: 0.37 gm., Diam: 7 mm. Unidentified objects / Unidentified objects The attribution of this coin to the Kadambas is tentative. Coins of the Yadavas issued in Goa Mahadeva Yadava of Devagiri (c. 1261-70) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.39 gm., Diam: 17 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 4-line Nagari legend: Sri Sapta ko / tisvara Charana / Labdhavara Sri/ Mahadeva This coin was issued by Mahadeva Yadava of Devagiri, presumably on his conquest of the Goa Kadamba kingdom. Ramachandra Yadava of Devagiri (c. 1270-1311) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.36 gm., Diam: 15 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 4-line Nagari legend: Sri Sapta / kotisvara Chara / na Labdh Sri Rama / deva It is possible that the last line of this legend reads chandra deva. This and the next two coins are issues of Ramachandra Yadava of Devagiri. Ramachandra Yadava of Devagiri (c. 1270-1311) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.38 gm., Diam: 16 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 4-line Nagari legend: Sri Sapta / kotisvara Chara / na Labdh Sri Rama / deva Ramachandra Yadava of Devagiri (c. 1270-1311) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.38 gm., Diam: 15 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 4-line Nagari legend: Sri Sapta / kotisvara Chara / na Labdh Sri Rama / deva Forgeries Jayakesin I (c. 1050-70) or II (c. 1119-47) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.21 gm., Diam: 19 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 5-line Nagari legend: Sri Saptasa (!) / kotisa Labdha / vara Vira Jaya / kesi deva Mala / vara mari This coin and the next are well made forgeries that had me and many experts fooled. Jayakesin I (c. 1050-70) or II (c. 1119-47) Gold pagoda Weight: 4.40 gm., Diam: 18 mm. Lion left, cyclic date at left / 5-line Nagari legend: Sri Saptasa (!) / kotisa Labdha / vara Vira Jaya / kesi deva Mala / vara mari

© CoinIndia All Rights Reserved Copyright Policy

<

Back

|

Home

|

Next

>

---