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Young World
From the deep south
S. SURESH
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The Tondaiman rulers were famous for a unique circular copper coin they minted.
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At the time when the British ruled India there were many Indian kingdoms. These were ruled by Indian rulers and were known as the "Princely states" or the "Native states". Each of these kingdoms had its own capital, flag, coins or currency, police and army. Pudukottai was the sole Tamil-speaking princely state, blessed with educated and enlightened kings of the Tondaiman family.
The Tondaiman rulers were famous for a unique circular copper coin that they minted. It is called the Amman Kasu. The obverse of the coin portrays Goddess Parvati or Brhadamba, seated wearing a short skirt. Brhadamba is the presiding goddess in the historic Shiva temple at Tirugokarnam in Pudukottai. The royal family worshipped in the temple and was also the venue of the coronation of the many of the rulers. The Tondaiman kings called themselves `Brhadambadas' (servant of Goddess Brhadamba).
The reverse of the Amman Kasu bears the legend `Sri Vijaya' (victory) in Telugu.
The first Amman Kasu was minted in the year 1738. In the initial years, the Amman Kasu was handcrafted at the Pudukottai mint. Later, the coin was machine made at London and shipped to Pudukottai. This is one of the rarest instances in history where a single coin-type was both handmade and machine made.
During the Navaratri festival, the Tondaiman king gave the Amman Kasu along with a bag of rice and other gifts to all those who visited his palace.
The Amman Kasu and other coins used in Pudukottai can be seen in the museum founded by the Tondaiman kings. The museum is now under the Tamil Nadu government and is located at Tirugokarnam, near the Brhadamba temple.
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