Chola is one of the longest-ruling dynasty and the Tamil empire in South India. Uttam Chola was the ruler of the Chola Empire; he ruled the Chola Empire between 970 CE and 985 CE.

Uttam Chola was born to king Gandaraditya and his queen Sembiyan Mahadeviyar. When Uttam Chola sat on the throne of the Chola Empire, he was surrounded; by controversy and mystery. During his rule, the Chola army seems to have been in continued; battles with the Pandyas and their ally the Sinhalas in Eelam or Sri Lanka. They had also recovered much Thondaimandalam from Rashtrakutas.

This silver Kahavanu that weighs around 4.2g was issued by Uttam Chola during his rule in the Chola Empire. The obverse of this coin depicts the emblem of the Chola dynasty that composed of a tiger seated right, an umbrella, and a pair of upright fish with a bow and lamp behind’. The reverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Uttama Cholah’ in two lines.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction