2018-01-24 Wed

13 gold coins from the 7th century were excavated 4 years ago at the Pranaveswara temple complex in Talagunda, Shivamogga, Karnataka. They were handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) Bengaluru office for research. The coins weigh around 8 grams and feature beautiful depictions of elephants. The ASI department has released a paper to share more information about the discovery.

Several stone inscriptions and “hero stones” have been discovered in Bengaluru. All this evidence suggests that the city has a strong connection with the Ganga Dynasty. They also reveal interesting historical facts about the hamlets and rulers during those times. Talagunda was an ancient agrahara, Sthanakundura. It is believed that Kadambas originated from this region. Historians and archaeologists have always loved this region because of its historical significance.

Researchers confirmed that the coins that were found earlier belonged to later Ganga rulers (after 8th century). However, these 13 coins are of early Ganga period (5th to 7th century). The coins also feature names of the rulers who issued them - Durvinita, Srivikrama, and Bhuvikrama. The legends on the coins were based on a local script of early Ganga rulers. Durvinita ruled between 495 and 530 AD. One coin dates back to the 5th century. The Coin of Bhu Vikrama was struck around 635 AD. The legends were written on the shoulder of the elephant figure. When extra gold was chipped off from the edges, the legends were damaged. These 13 coins were found in a stratified deposit dated 635-679 AD. This discovery reinstates Ganga Dynasty’s power over the Kadambas during the rule of Avanita, Durvinita, Mushkara, Srivikrama, and Bhuvikrama.