2020-03-31 Tue

The Western Ganga was an important ruling dynasty of ancient India. They ruled over a large territory of south-western India today between 350 CE to 1000 CE. To distinguish between the two Ganga branches scholars have referred them as Western Gangas and Eastern Ganga - that later ruled over Kalinga (modern Odisha). People believe that Western Gangas began their rule when the native clans asserted their freedom from the Pallava Empire as it was declining.

This Gold Gajapati Pagoda which weighs around 3.74g was issued from the Western Ganga dynasty. The obverse of this coin depicts caparisoned elephant to right chewing sugarcane, with a branch above the elephant’s back and a cluster of dots under its belly. The reverse of this coin depicts scrollwork.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction