2017-02-17 Fri

Harikela was a kingdom of Ancient India ruling in the Bengal region. There are numerous references to this kingdom in historical texts as well as archeological artifacts including the references to their silver coinage.

The kingdom was ruled by the Chandra dynasty during the 10th century CE. This dynasty was overthrown by the Varman dynasty, who in turn was overthrown by the Deva dynasty. In the 17th century the Mughal Empire absorbed this kingdom and brought the Harikela under the province of Bengal.

Harikela coins have been found in the region of Bangladesh and Tripura. Majority of their coins are round in shape. The weight standards reduced from 7.5 grams to 0.45g. The silver coins of Harikela were made with high quality silver of about 95.13% fineness, a gold content of 0.59, lead content of 0.38 and copper content of 3.62%.

The obverse of the Harikela coins depicts within a dotted circle a recumbent bull, which is the vehicle (vahana) of Lord Shiva, while the reverse has a Srivatsa or Trishula surrounded by a Brahmi legend.

There is a mix opinion about the reverse of this coin type because various numismatists have different suggestions for it. Few suggest that it is a trishul or tripartite symbol (as both bull & trishul signify Lord Shiva), while the others suggest the same symbol as lotus bud. However, majority believe that the symbol on verse is the Srivatsa. Srivatsa and Lotus both symbolize Lord Vishnu.

This probably suggests that Harikela rulers were the followers of both, Shivaism and Vaishnavism!

What do you think about it?