Paramaras of Malwa Gadhaiya Paisa Distinctive Nose Type Billon Drachm Coin

Reverse: Stylized cross-shaped fire altar surrounded by multiple linear bands, with the surrounding lines further enclosed by rows of decorative dots.

The Gadhaiya Paisa represents a remarkable continuation of the Indo-Sasanian monetary tradition in medieval western and central India. The distinctive nose variety is associated with the Paramaras of Malwa and belongs to the later Gadhaiya series dated broadly to the 13th century. The Paramaras established Malwa as an important political and cultural centre, with Dhar serving as their principal capital. Their period witnessed the development of regional art, architecture, temple building, Sanskrit learning, and distinctive coinage traditions. Gadhaiya coins demonstrate how earlier Sasanian-inspired designs continued to evolve into increasingly abstract forms, preserving the traditional bust and fire-altar motifs while introducing highly stylized local varieties.

Coinage Note: This rare Billon Gadhaiya Paisa / Drachm belongs to the Distinctive Nose Series, classified as Type 6, Variant 2 (T6/V2) in K. K. Maheshwari’s study Imitations in Continuity. The obverse is characterized by its exaggerated outward-curving nose and stylized ja, while the reverse retains the Indo-Sasanian fire-altar design surrounded by dotted decoration. The variety is recorded as Maheshwari Fig. 72 and Fig. 73.