Multiple Choice Questions on What were Varahas in history of Vijayanagar empire ........ for UPSC Civil Services Examination (General Studies) Preparation

Medieval South Indian History

Ancient and Medival History

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    What were Varahas in history of Vijayanagar empire?

    Boars kept as pets by the Vijayanagar Empire

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    Elephant corps of the Vijayanagar empire's armed forces

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    Land grants to the officials in lieu of salaries

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    Gold coins introduced by the Vijayanagara empire

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    Explanation:

    The currency of Vijayanagara, in conformity with South-Indian tradition, was predominated by gold (Fig. 9.1). 'Varaha', their gold stater, was adopted from the 'Varaha Lanchana' of Western Chalukyas who worshipped Varaha, a reincarnation of Vishnu. It weighed 52 grains, the standard weight of a large kalanju or molucca bean (Caesalpina bonduc). There were also occasional issues of double varaha called 'Doddavaraha'. Evidence from inscriptions indicates the existence of another variety called 'Ghattivaraha' and five such units were said to be equal to seven varahas. Harihara II had issued for the first time half-varaha called after his title as 'Pratapa or 'Mada or 'Honnu' and as well a quarter-varaha called 'Kati'. The traditional gold fanam of South India equal to the weight of one manjadi (Adenanthera pavonina) seed was already in circulation; and it was equal to 1/10 of a varaha. The smallest gold coin called 'haga was also popular in some areas; it weighed 1.3 grains, and its value was reckoned as 1/4 of a gold fanam (Fig. 9.2, 9.3). No king of Vijayanagara issued silver money except Devaraya; he is said to have issued a small coin called 'Tara' which was equivalent to 1/6 of a gold fanam. Otherwise, the rest of the coinage was in copper, called as Tana', Ilital. and 'Kasu'; and their weight standards and values varied according to regional traditions. Almost all the coins of Vijayanagara displayed religious symbols on them


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