2020-11-23 Mon

Mahishmati was one of the most famous kingdoms of the Kalchuri dynasty, having Mahismati as its capital during the ancient period. We can find the reference of Mahishmati in ancient texts like Mahabharata, Ramayana (Hindu), and Digha Nikaya (Buddhist). It was an important city in the southern part of the Avanti Kingdom and later in the Anupa Kingdom. The famous ancient Indian poet Kalidasa, had mentioned Mahishmati as a city in the southern part of the Avanti Kingdom and later in the Anupa Kingdom in his poem ‘Raghuvamsa’.

This silver drachma that weighs around 1.98g was issued by king Krishnaraja during his rule in Mahishmati. The obverse of this coin depicts ‘Bust of the king facing towards right’. The reverse of this coin depicts ‘Bull with Brahmi legend’.

Image Courtesy: Classical Numismatic Gallery