2020-01-18 Sat

Vijay Manikya – the king of Tripura issued a silver Tanka during his reign which is a very unique and significant piece of numismatics.
Tripura is an Indian state situated in the north-eastern part of the Indian subcontinent; it is the third smallest state of India. Tripura has a long history; during the medieval period, the kingdom of Tripura was at its peak which includes an eastern region of Bengal from the Brahmaputra River in the north and west, the Bay of Bengal in the south and Burma to the east. The kingdom of Tripura was ruled by Manikya Dynasty till 13th August 1947, later it was in the subsidiary alliance, from which it was released by the Indian Independence Act 1947.
The above-shown coin was issued by Vijay Manikya – one of the powerful kings of Tripura who issued a range of silver coins during his tenure. This silver Tanka weighs around 10.40 grams, which was issued in the Saka Year 1485 i.e. 1563 AD.
The coin depicts on the obverse, Vishnu seated cross-legged supported by Garuda advancing left with two attendants and four animals. The date Saka 1485 is seen in exergue. The reverse of the coin is inscribed with the legend in Mandala-shaped area: Padma/vati Snayi sri/ sri Visvesva/ra Vijaya/ Deva sri Vaka/ Devya.
The most peculiar feature of the coin is Shiva-lingam in a small square in the center on the reverse. The coin refers to Queen Vaka and commemorating a ritual bath in the River Padma. The River Padma was well inside Muslim territory so this ritual bath will have been undertaken during a successful military incursion.
Image Courtesy: https://www.numisbids.com