2020-03-09 Mon

The Shilaharas dynasty was a royal clan established in the parts of northern and southern Konkan in the Indian state of Maharashtra during the medieval period. Later this clan was divided into three branches; one clan ruled Northern Konkan, the second clan ruled South Konkan and the third clan ruled the parts of modern districts of Satara, Kolhapur, and Belgaum. This dynasty was founded with the downfall of the Rashtrakuta Empire and they vanished when the Chalukya Empire overwhelmed them.

The capital of Shilahara was Karad during the reign of Jatiga-II; this is known from the copper plate grant of Miraj and Vikramankadevacharita of Bilhana. During the later period of their rule, they shifted their capital to Kolhapur. Even though they shifted their capital from Karad to Kolhapur, Karad retained its significance during the Shilahara period.

This uniface U-shaped gold fanam was issued from Shilajaras of Karad. The obverse side of this fanam has three punches, the punch of an animal facing towards right and Kannada letter ‘Sri’.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction