Indian Antiquary Vol 37

SR No.: 032529
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 454
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MAY, 1908.
abundant. Small change may have been supplied partly by the so-called 'Gadhiyâ pice,' which, also, are of Indo-Sassanian descent. The extensive and prolonged series of Indo Sassanian issues owed its origin to the White Hun, or Ephthalite, invaders at the close of the fifth century, and, in one form or another, continned to be issued up to the end of the twelfth century, chiefly, if not exclusively, by the ruling clans of foreign origins.
The coinage of Kirtivarman (c. 1060 to 1100 A. D.) is recorded in gold only, and in no more than two denominations, the dramma and half-dramma. I know three examples of the latter, viz., 1. M., Cunningham (now B. M.), and Hoey. The dramma is a little less rare.
Sallakshanavarman (c. 1100-1110) spells his name Hallakshana on the coins, Cunningham had one copper dramma, unique, so far as I know. His gold drammas are very rare, but I have noted 5 specimens of the quarter dramma in that metal. The alleged silver coin of Jayavarman (c. 1110-1120) cannot be found. Eleven of his copper drammas are recorded, but nothing else.
The coinage of Prithvivarman (c. 1120-1128) is known only from Cunningham's two copper drammas. (Reports, Vol. II, p. 459; but in Coins Med. J. he mentions only one).
Dr. Hoey has a quarter dramma of Madanavarman (c. 1128-1165) apparently of silver, which is believed to be unique. Cunningham's copper quarter-dramma likewise is unique. About six specimens of the quarter-dramma, and two of the dramma in gold are recorded.
The base gold dramma of Paramardi (c. 1165-1203), obtained at Khajuraho, and now in the Indian Museum, is the only coin known of his long reign.
The late Mr. Rodgers described two gold drammas of Trailokyavarman (c. 1203-1245) as existing in the Indian Museum, but only one was sent to me, when Lwas preparing the catalogue. Dr. Hoey's copper dramma from the Bândâ District is unique. The Indian Museum gold dramma of Viravarman (c. 1245-1287), from Khajuraho, likewise is unique.
The following bibliographical references for the subject are, I think, complete :Cunningham, Reports, Vol. II, p. 458; Vol. X, p. 25, Pl. X.: Coins Med. India, pp. 76-80, Pl. VIII.
V. A Smith, Numismatic Notes and Novelties, No. 2, in J. A. S. B., Part I, Vol. LXVI.; (1897), pp. 307-9, Pl. XXXVIII, fig. 12 (Viravarman).
Catalogue of Coins in the Indian Museum, Vol. I, pp. 252-4, Pl. XXVI, figs. 7-10.
Dr. Hoernle, J. A. S. B., Part I, Vol. LVIII (1889), p. 34, Pl. XXVI, figs. 8-10 (Paramardi and Viravarman).
Allusions to the coinage in other publications are unimportant.55 Several other dynasties issued similar coins, which are duly noticed in Cunningham's Coins of Medieval India, and in the Catalogue of Coins in the Indian Museum, Vol. I.
NOTES AND QUERIES.
ORIGIN OF THE TERM ORINGALL BETEELAHS.
THE word Beteelah has been fully discussed by Yule. In the new edition of Hobson-Jobson, under Piece-Goods, it is suggested that "Oringal (cloths) probably take their name from the once famous city of Warangal in Hyderabad." This surmise is correct, because the proper form of the name of Warangal is the Telugu Orungalla. Warangal therefore represents the Europeanised form of the Teluga name for the place. There are many 17th century references to Oringall
Beteelahs, or Veilings from Warangal, among the India Office Records:
.
17 June 1669. "As for the.... Oringall Batillas. . it must needes rest upon you." Letter from Fort St. George to Masulipatam. Factory Records, Fort St. George, Vol. 16. "Wee have. . . . 15 Bales
17 Jan. 1675.
Oringall Beteelaes three quarters done, but cannot get Packers to finish them." Factory Records, Masulipatam, Vol. 10.
15 Dec. 1676. "In particular provide 500 Oringall Betteleez. at Metchlepatam." Letter from the Court of Committees to Fort St. George. Letter Book, Vol. 5, p. 373.
R. O. TEMPLE.
55 The allusion in Thomas' Chronicles, p. 65, is wholly erroneous. No such person as 'fallakshana pála I, the Chándel monarch of Mahoba,' ever existed; nor was Madana Varmmadeva his grandson.' See Proc. A. 8. B., 1800, pp. 1-1.