The Coins of Chola time

Ancient Chola kingdom: Circa 3rd centery BC to c. AD 400

Late Chola coinage circa early 3rd centery AD
Elephant and tiger type.
Copper, 1,395 gr., 12,5x14,2 mm
Obv.: Elephant standing left, smal symbols above: all inside pellet circle?.
Rev.: Tiger standing left: inside pellet circle?.
Mitchener 1998, 124.

 

The Cholas of Tanjore

The Cholas witnessed the most glorious period of Southern history. One of the oldest royal families in the south. A Chola kingdom is believed to have existed from the third century BC. The real empire-builder was Rajaraja 985 - 1014, who first distinguished himself by his military exploits. After deafeting the Pandyas and Cheras in two successive campaigns, he undertook a naval expedition, landed in  Sri Lankan province. After having thus conquered the entire Tamil area and Sri Lanka, he made the Chalukyas of Vengi (Andhra Pradesh) his vassals and invaded southern Karnataka. Having greatly expanded his navy, he also seized the twelve thousand islands: the Laccadives and the Maldives.
After establishing his capital at Tanjore, he built a temple there which testifies even to day vitality of an expanding empire: the Brihadishwara Temple (photo left), begun in 1000, finished in 1012 and dedicated to Shiva.

  

 

 

Uttama Chola 973 - 985

AR Kahavanu. Tiger seated right: bov and torch behind: umbrella above. Tiger faces two upright fishes, behind which is a torch: a ground line below whole design.
Rev.: Uttama Cholah
Mitchener 1979,  713-25
Rajendra Chola 1012 -1044 took also the title Uttama Chola (II) and the coin could be attributed to him.

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Rajaraja Chola 985 - 1014
Perhaps Rajendra Chola 1012 - 1044
AU fanam, 0,46 gram, 9,3 mm. Obv.: Tiger seated right: bow behind: umbrella above: Tiger faces towards two upright fishes.
Rev.: Yuddhamalla
Mitchener 1979, 726-28
Rajendra Chola also took the title Yuddhamalla and the coin could be attributed to him.

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AU Kahavanu (Ceylon type). Seated king facing right with legend on right, beneath his raised arm.Sri Raja Raja
Rev.: Standing king with torch on left and group of spheres on right, surmounted by cresent.
Mitchener 1979, 729

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AR Kahavanu - design as the gold issue.
Mitchener 1979 - no numbering.

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AE Kahavanu - design as the gold issue.
Mitchener 1979, 730-31

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AE Kahavanu 2,60 gram
Obverse: Seated King facing right with legend on right: Sri Raja Raja
Reverse: Standing King with footprint of Vishnu (Vishnupaddam) on right.
Mitchener 1979, 739

Rajendra Chola 1012 - 1044


AR Kahavanu 3,88 gr. Obv.: Tiger seated, bow and torch behind, umbrella above. Tiger faces two upright fishes, torch behind. Below: Gamgai-konda-cholah. Rev.: as obverse.
Mitchener 1979, 741-45
In Mitchener; The coinage and history of Southern India, part two, TamilNadu - Kerala, Hawkins Publications 1998, no. 332-336,  the type is attributed to Raja Raja I (victory of 1004 "The Chola who conquered the Gangas".

Later Chola Kings

Until circa 1258
Copper, 15-16 mm, 3,46 gram
Obv.: Humped Bull standing right: sun + moon above
Rev.: Trident: on right Nagari "Sha"
Mitchener 1979, 768

Siden er sidst opdateret 21-10-01