Chaulukyas of Gujarat – Indo-Sasanian Style (Medieval Gujarat) Silver Drachm Coin

Reverse: Stylized fire altar in the centre, with a dotted sun or rosette at upper left and crescent moon at upper right.

The Gadhaiya Paisa represents a distinctive series of medieval Indo-Sasanian style coinage that circulated widely across Gujarat and adjoining regions. These coins developed from earlier Sasanian-inspired monetary traditions and gradually became highly stylized, with the original portrait and fire-altar designs transformed into abstract forms. They are generally associated with the Chaulukyas of Gujarat, although numismatic scholars have also attributed some varieties to the Paramaras of Malwa. The type is especially important for understanding the continuity and transformation of Sasanian-influenced coin designs in medieval western India. Its characteristic bust, celestial symbols, fire altar, and pellet ornamentation make this series one of the most recognizable medieval Indian coin types.

Coinage Note: This approximately 11th-century silver Drachm belongs to the Indo-Sasanian style coinage of western India. In the numismatic field, this distinctive type is commonly referred to as “Gadhaiya” or “Gadhaiya Paisa” for ease of identification and classification. The obverse preserves a highly stylized bust with sun and moon motifs, while the reverse depicts the traditional fire altar with celestial symbols. Deyell attributes this type to the Chaulukyas, while Mitchiner notes possible Paramara attribution. The cited variety is recorded as Deyell #158 and Mitchiner Non-Islamic #427.