Andhra Pradesh - Others   

Kadapa's coins reveal its history

M.V. Subramanyam

First known coin of the region was issued by Aurangazeb, says professor

KADAPA: Mughal emperor Aurangazeb issued the first known coins from Kadapa in his 32nd year of rule, according to D. Raja Reddy, sectional president of ancient State history and culture of Andhra Pradesh History Congress.

Kadapa was called Karapa due to Persian influence in all the correspondence of Islamic rulers in India, Prof. Reddy said in his address on `Pre-Satavahana coinage of Andhra' at the history congress session at Government College of Men on Sunday. The Mughals also issued coins in the name of Karnataka from Kadapa, which was not a town but their `suba,' he said.

Mayana Nawabs issued coins either in their name or in the name of the Mughal ruler, though the latter did not have authority on the region, he said. Subsequently Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore who succeeded Mayana Nawabs also issued coins from Kadapa.

Lead mines

Tipu Sultan used Jangamarajupalle lead mines near Badvel in Kadapa district for the lead needs of his army, he said. Coins were also issued from Siddhavatam, Gandikota, Gurramkonda and Tadpatri. The year of issue and the rulers' name on the coins would help historians gauge the regions under the control of the kings, he said. Every ancient coin was a treasure that should be studied scientifically to derive maximum information for reconstruction of history, Prof. Reddy noted.

Pre-Satavahana coins depicted that after 7th century BC, Andhra was divided into a number of small territorial States, each governed by a ruler who issued coins, he said.

These States were finally absorbed into the expanding Magadhan empire.

Prof. Reddy also dealt with Andhra Janapada coins from Singavaram of 1934. Singavaram coins were silver blocks of various shapes, spiral coils of thick silver and a few bits of gold. Elephant symbol was present on every coin besides three other symbols.

He also spoke about Kalinga, Asmaka, Vidarbha and Asika and Chedi coins, imperial punch-marked coins from Hyderabad museum and Amaravathi hoard of imperial punch-marked coins. Prof. Reddy also explained about uninscribed coins and seals and early inscribed coins of Andhra, Kotilingala coins and Samagopa coins.

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