2016-08-26 Fri

The mythical creature depicted on the coin ‘Gandaberunda’ is used as official state symbol of Karnataka. But little do we know that symbolism that was used by Vijayanagar King Achyuta Deva Raya on a Gold Varaha.

Achyuta Deva Raya was the younger brother of the greatest Vijayanagara King – Krishna Deva Raya. was surrounded by Bahamani Kingdoms and was under constant threat. The mythical Gandaberunda creature used on the coin shows his strong but uncommunicated endure against the four Sultanate Kingdoms.

Gandabherunda is a two headed eagle holding and swinging four elephants by its talons. On the other hand the Reverse has the name of the ruler written in Nagari script.

The four elephants represent the enemy States surrounding Vijayanagara with whom there were constant conflicts i.e. Golconda, Birar, Bedar, Ahmednagar. The symbolism represented on the coin shows the might of the sole standing Vijayanagar Emperor - the mighty bird represents Vijayanagar Kingdom that holds it’s powerful 'elephant-like strong' enemies within its clutches and has the ability to swing and fling them around and to destroy them in any conflict.

However, in 1555 AD Vijayanagar kingdom was snatched away by the Bahamanis. Today, the ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire at Hampi, the capital city, bear silent testimony to the grandeur of the Vijayanagar Empire.