2020-10-03 Sat

The decline in the power of the Rastrakuta dynasty paves the way for the rise of Chalukyas. They emerged as a powerful empire and filled the pages of Deccan history for two centuries. This branch of Chalukya was referred to as the Western Chalukya and commonly known as Kalyani Chalukya, after their capital city. They had a prolonged war with the Imperial Cholas for the sovereignty over southern India.

The above-shown gold fanam was issued in the reign of King Vikramaditya VI, this denomination is also called Gold Navilachchu fanam due to the peacock design. A peacock with a well spread out tail is depicted on the obverse side of this coin. The reverse side depicts a bloomed lotus with eight pellets within the dotted border. The term Navilachchu means like a peacock in Kannda.

A different type of gold coin, but the same peacock design on the obverse and floral and scroll like the design on the reverse with weight around 3.75 grams was issued in Vikramaditya VI’s reign. These types of coin references can be found in the Kundatini inscription of King Tribhuvanamalla in 1098 CE. In it, King is referring to the conversion of Lokki coins into the peacock coin by a goldsmith named ‘Savimoja’. It is assumed that these coins might have been minted a Naviluru mint.

The above shown gold fanam of Kalyani Chalukyas is extremely fine and exceedingly rare.

To read for about the coins of Kalyani Chalukya click here.