Telangana History Based on Numismatic Source Material

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Though Telangana state now happens to be the youngest one in the country, it had been a distinctive entity from ancient times. There were Greek references to Asmaka janapada and Telangana by Megasthenes, Arrian, Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy. Pliny the Elder in the monumental works on Natural History mentions tribe Asmagi on the Godavari and its capital was styled as Potali. The Asmaka janapada must have been powerful in ancient times since its capital Potana was listed along with six other ancient states. Ptolemy's Triglyphon and Trilinga corresponded to Telangana. When it comes to medieval period, Al-Biruni and others quoted Telangana extensively in their books. Hence it is obvious that Telangana had been a distinctive entity for a long time and it is the land which had given birth to three great dynasties namely Satavahana, Vishnukundi and Kakatiya. Telangana has a rich cultural heritage and the three source materials available for the study of its past history are the literary works, inscriptions and coins of the region. This monograph is devoted to the description of the coins discovered in Telangana region that have contributed for the reconstruction of its past history.

Deme Raja Reddy is a numismatist and a neurosurgeon. He is the recipient of the president ship of the two leading Indian numismatic societies namely "The numismatic Society of India' of Varanasi and the 'South Indian numismatic society' of Chennai. Other honors include 'Marremanda Rama Rao' medal of the numismatic society of India and 'P. L. Gupta medal' of the south Indian numismatic society etc. He has been editor of "Studies in south Indian coins". He has authored over two hundred articles on ancient Indian coins in national and international journals besides bringing out more than twenty books. Presently he is the chairman of the numismatic society of India. Raja Reddy been a pioneer neurosurgeon of the country and been the director of the prestigious 'Nizam's Institute of medical sciences' of Hyderabad and has been awarded 'Life time achievement award' by the 'Neurological society of India'.

Telangana is the youngest state in India that came into being on 2nd of June of 2014 after prolonged struggle. It has been a distinct entity since the past and it covers an area of 114,840 square kilometers with a population of 351.94 lakhs according to 2011 census. It is the land which had given birth to three great dynasties such as Satavahana, Vishnukundi and Kakatiya. Telangana has a rich cultural heritage and the three source materials available for the study of its past history are the literary works, inscriptions and coins of the period. This monograph is devoted to the description of the coins discovered in Telangana region that have contributed for the reconstruction of its history. The origin of coins, also known as 'metallic money' in India dates back to 6th-7th century BC and it is probable that Lydia, India and China invented coinage around the same time and also independent of each other. Barter system of exchange of goods was prevalent in ancient India right from the Vedic period and cattle appear to have been the main medium of exchange of goods in ancient times according to Rig-Veda. The Indus valley people may have used precious metals of fixed weights such as silver for buying goods which is evident from the find of excavations at Mohenjo-Daro. But eventually barter method has given way slowly to money vieconomy through the medium of coins for their obvious advantages. Coins made of metals are durable, portable, homogenous and easily divisible. That was the period what Indian historians would label as early historic era when formation of 'janapadas' marked the end of the tribal stage of the society and the beginning of organized states with definite territorial units. Secondary urbanization also commenced around this time and hence coins were invented which avoided the problems and limitations associated with the prevalent barter system. In the evolution of ancient Indian coinage earliest to be issued were the punch marked coins which were so named because of the technique of their manufacture. These coins were devoid of any legend indicating neither the name of the issuer nor the name of the dynasty to which the ruler belonged. There were symbols on these coins which were imprinted with punches and these punch marked coins were of two type's namely local janapada and imperial, former belonged to an earlier period. Janapada coins were discovered in a localized area of the country which is geographically described as belonging to a certain janapada in ancient texts. One may recall that Panini which is dated to 4th century BC described geographical location of 30 odd janapadas in Ashtadyayi. Magadha, which started as a 'janapada' and it first, issued distinctive type of local coinage which was different from the coins of other janapadas in the country (Gupta 1994). Magadha later became a 'mahajanapada' (Maha meaning greater) by conquering adjacent janapadas namely Anga, Kasi, Kosala, Vaishali and Avanti and became an imperial power ruling most part of northern and central India. Magadha issued coinage that may be called as India's first national currency which was given the title of imperial type of punch marked coins. Magadha rule from Pataliputra was followed by that of Nanda, Maurya, Sunga and Kanva dynasties and all of these dynasties issued punch marked coins of the imperial type. There were distinctive features of these two types of punch marked coins namely local and imperial. Imperial had five symbols on the obverse which included sun and six armed marks on every coin and other three symbols varied. These imperial coins weighed 32 ratties uniformly in mint condition (54 grains or 3.4 grams). In contrast local coins had less than five marks and sun and six armed marks were absent on them and their weights varied. The usage of punch marked coins became more necessary when janapadas merged into a vast territory with huge armies and officials to maintain. Similar to Magadha, Asmaka was one of the 'mahajanapadas' in the Deccan part of India and its capital was Poudanam of ancient times and now known as Bodhan in Nizamabad district of Telangana. Within a few centuries after the origin of coinage in India there was a brisk trade internally as well as maritime trade with other western countries notably with Roman Empire. The find of hoards of Roman coins in Telangana are a witness to its maritime trade with Rome in ancient period The origin of coinage in India was one of great monetary innovation and absence of trade barriers across the large numbers of janapadas which were small territorial units may have contributed for rapid expansion of trade in ancient India and this continued during the rule especially that of Mauryan empire. The issue of coinage spanned over 2700 years and they have contributed a great deal for the reconstruction of the ancient Indian history. It now appears that coinage is on the way out. Paper money taken over the most of the functions of the coins and now the plastic money going to replace the coins as such.This book is not a catalogue of coins found in Telangana region but describes the coins that have contributed to its history. Some of these coins reveal history that is not evident from any other source.Brief Telangana history is followed by the description of selective coins with notes about them. Epilogue and select bibliography concludes the communication.

**Contents and Sample Pages**