Travancore
The Kingdom of Travancore was an Indian kingdom from 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Familyfrom Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At its zenith, the kingdom covered most of modern-day central and southern Kerala with the Thachudaya Kaimal's enclave of Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikkam temple in the neighbouring Kingdom of Cochin, as well as the district of Kanyakumari, now in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The official flag of the state was red with a dextrally-coiled silver conch shell(Turbinella pyrum) at its center. In the early 19th century, the kingdom became a princely state of the British Empire.The Travancore Government took many progressive steps on the socio-economic front and during the reign of Maharajah Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, Travancore became the second most prosperous princely state in British India, with reputed achievements in education, political administration, public work and social reforms.
Below are the ruler of the kingdom of Travancore.
1) Anizham Tirunal Marthanda Varma 1729–1755
| Type | Common coin |
|---|---|
| Years | 1600-1860 |
| Value | 1 Chuckram (1/28) |
| Metal | Silver |
| Weight | 0.37 g |
| Diameter | 7 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | yes |
| References | KM# 1 |
Obverse
Crescent with diamond above and two curved lines and ten pellets below (some off flan) .
The curved lines and pellets are a depiction of 'Vishnupaadam' (feet of Lord Vishnu, a God in Hinduism).
Reverse
12 pellets (some off flan) above a crescent representing the Rasi or the 12 signs of the zodiac
Edge Plain
Comments
Marthanda Varma (Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma) was ruler of the southern Indian state of Travancore from 1729 until his death in 1758. He is most celebrated for crushing the Dutch expansionist designs at the Battle of Colachel in 1741. Varma then adopted a European mode of martial discipline and expanded his domain to encompass what became the modern state of Travancore.
Reign: 1729–1758
Predecessor: Rama Varma
Successor: Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma ("Dharma Raja")
Born: Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, 1705, Attingal,Thiruvananthapuram
Died: July 7, 1758 (aged 52), Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari
Regnal name: Sree Padmanabhadasa Vanchiaala Maharajah Sree Anizham Thirunal Veerabaala Marthanda Varma Kulasekhara Perumal
Father: Raghava Varma, Kilimanur Palace
Mother: Karthika Thirunal Uma Devi, Queen of Attingal
Religion: Hinduism
- KM# 1 does not have flowers/sprays on the reverse
| Type | Common coin |
|---|---|
| Years | 1811-1901 |
| Value | 1 Chuckram (1/28) |
| Metal | Silver |
| Weight | 0.38 g |
| Diameter | 6.38 mm |
| Thickness | 1.67 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | yes |
| References | KM# C8 |
Obverse
Crescent with diamond above and two curved lines and ten pellets below (some off flan) . The curved lines and pellets are a depiction of 'Vishnupaadam' (feet of Lord Vishnu, a God in Hinduism).
Reverse
12 pellets (some off flan) above a crescent representing the Rasi or the 12 signs of the zodiac. Flowers/sprays below. Travancore was a major center of Black pepper exports from India and there are opinions that the flowers/sprays represent pepper vines.
Edge
Plain
Comments
Ruler: Ayilyam Thirunal Rani Gouri Lakshmi Bayi
Reign: AD 1810 - 1815 (ME 986-90)
Predecessor: Avittam Thirunal Balarama Varma
Successor: Uthrittathi Thirunal Rani Gouri Parvati Bayi
Born: 1791, Travancore
Died: 1815, Travancore
Consort: Raja Raja Varma Koil Thampuran of Changanassery
Full name: Her Highness, Sree Padmanabhasevini Vanchidharma Vardhini Raja Rajeshwari Maharani Ayilyom Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi Maharani Of Travancore
House: Venad Swaroopam
Dynasty: Kulasekhara
Religion: Hinduism
- Two types exist, KM# C8 without dot at center over leaf spray, & KM# 21 with dot over leaf spray (see image)
| Type | Common coin |
|---|---|
| Years | 1790-1830 |
| Value | 1 Kaliyan Fanam (1/7) |
| Metal | Gold |
| Weight | 0.36 g |
| Diameter | 8 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | yes |
| References | KM# C1 |
Obverse
Crescent with diamond, flanked by two beads above and two curved lines and ten pellets below.
The curved lines and pellets are a depiction of 'Vishnupaadam' (feet of Lord Vishnu, a God in Hinduism).
Reverse
12 pellets considered to represent the 12 Rasi (signs of the zodiac), lines and dots below
Edge
Plain
Comments
- This coinage was from the early part of the establishment of the Travancore kingdom, an exact date is not determined
- Weight varies 0.35 - 0.37 grams
- Diameter varies 7 - 9 mm
- Marthanda Varma (Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma) was ruler of the southern Indian state of Travancore from 1729 until his death in 1758. He is most celebrated for crushing the Dutch expansionist designs at the Battle of Colachel in 1741. Varma then adopted a European mode of martial discipline and expanded his domain to encompass what became the modern state of Travancore.
Reign: 1729–1758
Predecessor: Rama Varma
Successor: Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma ("Dharma Raja")
Born: Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, 1705, Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram
Died: July 7, 1758 (aged 52), Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari
Regnal name: Sree Padmanabhadasa Vanchiaala Maharajah Sree Anizham Thirunal Veerabaala Marthanda Varma Kulasekhara Perumal
Father: Raghava Varma, Kilimanur Palace
Mother: Karthika Thirunal Uma Devi, Queen of Attingal
Religion: Hinduism
- Later issues were made of billon, debased metal and even copper (an example in image below)
| Type | Common coin |
|---|---|
| Years | 1758-1798 |
| Value | 1/2 Anantaraya Fanam (1/7) |
| Metal | Gold |
| Weight | 0.19 g |
| Diameter | 6 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | yes |
| References | KM# 2 |
Obverse
4 pellets above a crescent. 'Vishnupaadam' (the feet of Vishnu - a Hindu God) represented by two curved lines and ten pellets for toes - all within a circle of dots.
Also known as Half Anantharaayan Panam in Malayalam
Reverse
12 pellets above a crescent representing the 'Rasi' or signs of the zodiac. Lines and pellets below - all within a circle of dots
Edge
Plain
Comments
- Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma (1758 - 1798) was also known as Dharma Raja or The Just King
Reign 1758 - 1798
Predecessor: Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma
Successor: Avittam Thirunal Bala Rama Varma
House: Venad Swaroopam
Dynasty: Kulasekhara
Religion: Hinduism
| Type | Common coin |
|---|---|
| Years | 1758-1798 |
| Value | 2 fanams (2/7) |
| Metal | Gold |
| Weight | 0.39 g |
| Diameter | 7.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | yes |
| References | KM# 3 |
Obverse
Design evolved from kaliyan fanams of South east India.
Chuckram within a large crescent above vishnupadam (feet of Lord Vishnu) that is represented by two curved lines and 10 pellets,for the toes.
Reverse
Twelve pellets within a curve considered as the 12 Rasi or the signs of the zodiac
Edge
Plain
| Type | Common coin |
|---|---|
| Years | 1811-1841 |
| Value | Anantaraya 2 fanams (2/7) |
| Metal | Gold |
| Weight | 0.36 g |
| Diameter | 6.98 mm |
| Thickness | 1.34 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | yes |
| References | KM# A8 |
Obverse
Design evolved from kaliyan fanams of South east India.
Chuckram within a large crescent above vishnupadam (feet of Lord Vishnu) that is represented by two curved lines and 10 pellets,for the toes.
Reverse
Twelve pellets within a curve considered as the 12 Rasi or the signs of the zodiac, flanked by sprays with flowers
Edge
Plain
Comments
- Ruler: Ayillyam Thirunal Rani Gouri Laxmi Bayi 1811 -1841
- Both coin and medal alignments exist.
- On January 3, 1750 A.D., the kingdom of Travancore was dedicated to the deity Sri Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu) of Trivandrum and from then on the rulers of Travancore ruled the kingdom as the servants of Sri Padmanabha (Padmanabhadasan).
- This coin is also known as the 'Puvitta Panam' (fanam with flowers)
Avittam Thirunal Bala Rama Varma (c. 1782 – 7 Nov 1810)
| Type | Common coin |
|---|---|
| Years | 1809-1810 |
| Value | 1/2 Chuckram (1/56) |
| Metal | Silver |
| Weight | 0.20 g |
| Diameter | 5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | yes |
| References | KM# 7 |
Obverse
Stylized Shanku (conch shell) within a circle of dots
Reverse
Sudarshana chakram (spinning discus used by the Hindu God Vishnu), within a circle of dots.
Also known as the Arra Chakram or Chinna Chakram in Malayalam
Edge
Plain
Comments
- Avittam Thirunal Bala Rama Varma (c. 1782 – 7 Nov 1810) was a ruler of the Indian princely state of Travancore from 1798 to 1810, succeeding his uncle Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma (Dharma Raja) on 12 February 1798. His reign was a time of disturbances and internal and external problems. The revolt of Velu Thampi (who as Dewan negotiated the formal alliance between Travancore and the British East India Company) occurred during his rule.
Reign 1798 - 1810
Coronation 18 February 1798
Predecessor: Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma
Successor: Ayillyam Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi
Full name: Sripadmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Balaramavarma Kulashekhara kireedapathi Manne sulthan Maharajarajarama Rajabahadoor Shamsherjang Maharaja
House: Venad Swaroopam
Dynasty: Kulasekhara
Religion: Hinduism
| Type | Common coin |
|---|---|
| Years | 1809-1810 |
| Value | 2 Chuckrams (1/14) |
| Metal | Silver |
| Weight | 0.76 g |
| Diameter | 9 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | yes |
| References | KM# F8 |
Obverse
Garlanded stylized shanku (conch shell), crescent above. All within a circle of dots
Reverse
Sudarshana chakram (spinning discus used by the Hindu God Vishnu). Numeral 2 in Malayalam & English above, 'Chuckram' in Malayalam below, all within a circle of dots. Also known as the Double Chakram or (Eratta Chakram in Malayalam)
Lettering:
൨ . 2
ചക്രം
Translation: 2 Chuckrams
Edge
| Type | Common coin |
|---|---|
| Years | 1860-1861 |
| Value | 1 Fanam (1/7) |
| Metal | Dump Silver |
| Weight | 1.5 g |
| Diameter | 13 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | yes |
| References | KM# 22 |
Obverse
'Chuckram' within a large crescent above vishnupadam (feet of Lord Vishnu) that is represented by two curved lines and 10 pellets,for the toes, all within a wreath and a circle of beads
Reverse
Crescent below twelve pellets considered as representing the 12 'Rasi' or the signs of the zodiac. Below that flower stalks with a dot in the middle Legend in Tamil: Date and 'pa ka' (for panam one) surrounds
Lettering: For lettering on Reverse see 'Comments' below
Translation: 1036 (malayalam era date), 1 fanam
Edge
Plain
Comments
- Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma (1832–1880) was the ruler of the princely state of Travancore in India from 1860 to 1880. His reign was highly successful with Travancore gaining the appellation of "model state of India". Ayilyam Thirunal was the nephew of Uthram Thirunal and Swathi Thirunal and grandson of the celebrated Gowri Lakshmi Bayi.
Predecessor: Uthram Thirunal
Successor: Visakham Thirunal
Born: March 14, 1832
Died: May 30, 1880 (aged 48)
House: Venad Swaroopam
Dynasty: Kulasekhara
Father: Punartham Thirunal Rama Varma Koil Thampuran
Mother: Gowri Rukmini Bayi
Religion: Hinduism
- Also known as 'Tamil panam' (Tamil money) in Malayalam because of the Tamil script on the coin.
| Type | Common coin |
|---|---|
| Years | 1809-1810 |
| Value | 2 Chuckrams (1/14) |
| Metal | Silver |
| Weight | 0.75 g |
| Diameter | 8.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | yes |
| References | KM# 8 |
Obverse
Garlanded stylized shanku (conch shell), crescent above. All within a circle of dots
Reverse
Sudarshana chakram (spinning discus used by the Hindu God Vishnu). Surrounded by legend in Malayalam 'Padhmanabhan'
Lettering: പത്മനാഭൻ
Translation: Padhmanabhan (another name for Hindu God Vishnu)
Edge
Plain
Comments
- Avittam Thirunal Bala Rama Varma (c. 1782 – 7 Nov 1810) was a ruler of the Indian princely state of Travancore from 1798 to 1810, succeeding his uncle Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma (Dharma Raja) on 12 February 1798. His reign was a time of disturbances and internal and external problems. The revolt of Velu Thampi (who as Dewan negotiated the formal alliance between Travancore and the British East India Company) occurred during his rule.
Reign 1798 - 1810
Coronation 18 February 1798
Predecessor: Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma
Successor: Ayillyam Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi
Full name: Sripadmanabha Dasa Vanchipala Balaramavarma Kulashekhara kireedapathi Manne sulthan Maharajarajarama Rajabahadoor Shamsherjang Maharaja
House: Venad Swaroopam
Dynasty: Kulasekhara
Religion: Hinduism
Image of another coin with variations on obverse
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