2017-05-24 Wed

Pallavas were a provincial tribe that emerged as a powerful ruling dynasty. They commanded the region of Thondaimandala at Pallavapuri. Later on, Pallavas shifted their capital to Kanchipuram due to natural calamities. In the 5th century, Pallavas expanded their empire across River Krishna occupying Arcot, Trichirapall, etc during the region of Simha Vishnu.

Pallavas like other dynasties in southern India had their own symbol. The universal or basic symbols of the Pallavas were humped Bull. The above-shown coin is the best example for this. The obverse of this coin depicts a standing humped bull facing right with a crescent within the dotted and line borders. The reverse of this coin depicts a ‘Chakra' wheel.

This Bull comes with three types:

The first type depicts a conch shell in reverse.
The second type depicts a ‘Swatik' in reverse.
The third type depicts a chakra in reverse

Their coinage was minted in lead, copper, and potin. The symbol of bull is associated with lord Shiva when Pallava accepted the faith of Shaivism. Apart from a bull, symbols like the swastika, flag, twinship, elephant and lion also appear on their coins.

Some interesting facts:

Simha Vishnu is credited as the founder of Pallava dynasty.
Pallava inscription talks about Gold coins but so far no gold and silver coins are discovered.

To know more about symbol of southern Indian dynasty click here.