COIN OF THE THANJAVUR NAYAKS 1530 – 1542 C.E SCARCE coin with shiva and parvati on conch @@ scarce Start Price INR 599.00 Current Price INR 599.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, September 05, 2008 End Time Friday, September 12, 2008 Location CHENNAI--TN See more about ' COIN OF THE THANJAVUR NAYAKS 1530 – 1542 C.E SCARCE' Description Thanjavur Nayaks Thanjavur Nayak Kingdom Approximate extent of the Thanjavur Nayak Kingdom, circa 1572 CE. Official language Telugu, Tamil Capital Thanjavur Government Governors then Monarchy Preceding state of Thanjavur Nayaks Chola Empire, Vijayanagara Empire Succeeding states of Thanjavur Nayaks Thanjavur Marathas, British India Thanjavur Nayaks were the rulers of Thanjavur principality of Tamil Nadu between the 16th to the 19th century C.E. Nayaks were subordinates of the imperial Vijayanagara emperors, and were appointed as provincial governors by the Vijayanagar Emperor. Their native language was Telugu. Cevvappa Nayak was the founder of the dynasty. Nayaks had matrimonial alliances with Vijayanagar and Madurai kings as well as Kandy kings of Ceylon. As the power of the Vijayanagar empire waned, they grew powerful and established independent authority. Madurai and Gingee had their own Nayak rulers. The Thanjavur Nayak rule was established in the reign of Vijayanagar emperor Achyuta Deva Raya (1530 – 1542 C.E.) around 1532 C.E. Chinna Cevvappa was the first ruler of the Thanjavur Nayaks. Thanjavur Nayaks were notable for their patronage of literature and the arts Nayak coinsMost Nayak coins were made of gold or copper. The design, figures, size, and weight of Nayak coins all were similar to those of Vijayanagara coins. Sadasiva Nayak issued some beautiful Nayak coins: one gold coin shows Shiva and Parvati seated next to one another — Shiva holds the trisula (trident) and the mriga (antelope) in his hands. Another gold coin of the same ruler features the mythical bird gandabherunda. This coin is almost identical to the gandabherunda coins minted by the Vijayanagara ruler Achyutaraya. A rare copper coin of this ruler displays, on its obverse, the standing figure of Kartikeya (Muruga), with his favourite peacock behind him. The reverse depicts the Nandi (sacred bull) below the Shivalinga. The Madurai Nayaks issued many coins featuring fish, the emblem of the Pandyas, who ruled Madurai before the Vijayanagara and Nayak rulers. Some early Madurai Nayak coins portray the figure of the king. The bull also is seen frequently on the Madurai Nayak coins. Chokkanatha Nayak, one of the last rulers of the dynasty, issued coins displaying various animals, such as the bear, elephant and lion. He also issued coins featuring Hanuman and Garuda. The inscriptions on the Nayak coins are in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Nagari scripts. Place a Bid!