2017-03-21 Tue

The Nolambas were one of the significant political powers of South India.

Mahendra II (978-981 CE) was one of the powerful rulers of Nolamba. He was the feudatory to the Chalukya king Taila II. He ruled from Hemavati and the titles given to him were Vira Nolamba, Amoghavakya, Pallavabharana, Nolamba Narayana and etc.

One of his gold coins depicts a seated bull facing right with the sun, crescent, conch, trishula and pedestal lamp in the exergue field on the obverse. While the reverse bears Kannada legend “Sri Nolamba Narayana” around a central floral scroll design.

The Nolamba coins are amongst the most beautiful coins of India! One thing can be noted that they issued gold coins in a majority and very few of silver and lead. All the coins bear a humped bull on the obverse as they were the followers of Lord Shiva. Elephant, lion, and boar are also seen on few of the coins of Nolamba. Their coins are highly artistic!