Vijayanagara Empire Krishna Deva Raya Medieval South India 1509-1529 CE Copper Coin 1 Kasu

Vijayanagara Empire, Tuluva dynasty, Krishna Deva Raya, 1509-1529 CE, Denomination: 1 Kasu (1/60 of a Pagoda), Metal: Copper, Weight: 2.15 grams, Diameter: 12 mm, References: Numista N# 87737, about very fine, very scarce.

Obverse: Humped bull facing right with sun and moon above, within dotted border,

Reverse: Central dagger surrounded by Kannada legends referring to Krishnadevaraya,

Krishna Deva Raya (r. 1509–1529 CE) was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire under the Tuluva dynasty. He was the son of Tuluva Narasa Nayaka and younger brother of Vira Narasimha Raya, succeeding the throne after internal consolidation of power.

Krishna Deva Raya is best known for his decisive victories against the Deccan Muslim Sultanates, especially the Bahmani successors. His major campaigns included the defeat of Bijapur Sultan Yusuf Adil Shah and the capture of Raichur Doab, a long-contested frontier region.

A devout Hindu (Vaishnava by faith), he was also remarkably tolerant and patronized scholars of multiple traditions. He built and expanded major temples, most notably the Vittala Temple and Krishna Temple at Hampi.

His reign marked the golden age of Vijayanagara coinage, characterized by well-struck gold pagodas and copper kasu coins bearing religious symbols, royal emblems, and Kannada legends, reflecting economic strength and administrative order.