 Earlier during pre-independence period, Travancore was one of the most prosperous and powerful kingdoms of medieval India. At that time, Marthanda Varma and Balarama Varma were ruling in Travancore. These Travancore kings minted many beautiful coins in different metals such as silver and copper. They were also ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu or Padmanabha and used to call themselves 'Padmanabha dasa' i,e, servant of Padmanabha.
The Travancore kingdom was ruled by the name of God Padmanabha. The earliest coins of Travancore were hand made and later coins were mostly machine made. The machine made coins had smooth edges and was very nice to look. Since they were devotees of Lord Vishnu, the majority of the Travancore coins featured objects and symbols associated with Lord Vishnu. One of such unique copper coin of Travancore had Lord Padmanabha in sleep (Anantasayana). The numismatists say that this was one of the rarest representations of the sleeping Vishnu on a coin. These Travancore coins also feature the 'conch' and the wheel. These are the two main objects carried by Lord Vishnu. Most of the Travancore coins have the conch on them. Sometimes, the conch is seen on both sides of the Travancore coin. The conch on the coin was enclosed within a circle or a flower-wreath or a star.
Some of the late Travancore coins represent the bust of the ruler on the facade. The British influence can also be noticed in the Travancore coins. On these coins, the kings were shown wearing European dress such as shirt, coat, tie and a feathered cap. One of the Travancore silver coins featured the goddesses Parvati on the front side and a trident on the reverse. The inscriptions on the Travancore coins were in Malayalam and English.
(Last Updated on : 10/04/2012)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently Updated Articles in History of India
|
|
|
| • | Wali
Walis or Sufi Saints are those who have established a connection with the universal consciousness. They are closely connected to God to the extent that some of them remain cut-off from the real physical world as in the case of the condition of Wilayat Awwal. There are different levels of Wali depending on the extent of love and unity with the Almighty that they feel and exhibit in their behaviour.
| | | • | Village Administration of Rashtrakuta Empire
Village administration of Rashtrakuta Empire was headed by the village headman. Villages were divided for efficient governance.
| | | • | Suddhi Movement
Suddhi Movement aimed at purifying those Hindus who were converted to other religions in the nineteenth century.
| | | • | Sikandar Lodi
Sikandar Lodi was the second ruler of the Lodi dynasty and became Sultan after the death of his father Bahlul Khan Lodi on July 17, 1489.
| | | • | Shamsuddin Habib Allah
Shamsuddin Habib Allah was another great Sufi saint having a liberal attitude towards various religions. Also known as Mirza Zanzana, he was a Master of the four Tariqats- Naqshbandia, Qadiria, Suhrawardia and Chishtia Orders. He was killed by unknown persons and died a martyr and his mausoleum, situated near Jama Masjid in Delhi, is called the `Shahid Sahab ki Mazar`.
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
