Beautiful South India Coin – portraits of Shiva & Parvathi with a sacred lingam reverse from the Raja Sivaganga Nayaks

Shivaganga Rajas, South India, Ruler: Sivagangai Nayaks, Reign: Circa 1570–1600 CE, Denomination: 1 Kasu, Composition: Copper, Weight: 3.22 grams, Diameter: 12.14 mm, Reference: en.numista #67605, about very fine, scarce.

Obverse: Shiva Linga

Reverse: Standing Godess Shiva & Parvathi

The Sivaganga Nayaks ruled the small but strategically important Shivaganga kingdom in South India during the late 16th century, roughly circa 1570–1600 CE. Emerging as local chieftains under the declining Vijayanagara authority, the Nayaks established control over fertile tracts of present-day southern Tamil Nadu. Their state extended between Madurai and Ramanathapuram regions, benefiting from agriculture, temple economy, and inland trade routes.

Militarily, the Shivaganga rulers were often engaged in conflicts with neighboring Nayak polities such as Madurai and local Poligar chiefs. Relations with Muslim powers were mostly political and regional; while there were occasional tensions with Deccan-linked Muslim commanders, no major sustained religious wars are recorded. Trade and diplomacy with Muslim merchants existed, especially along coastal routes.

The copper Kasu coinage reflects a deeply Shaivite kingdom. The Shiva Linga on the obverse and the standing figures of Shiva and Parvati on the reverse highlight royal devotion and temple patronage. These small, scarce coins were primarily used in local markets and temple transactions, symbolizing both faith and sovereignty.