Chutus of Banavasi ( forgotten Kingdom of Deccan) and Coins

 

The Chutus ruled a kingdom centered around the city Banavasi in present-day Karnataka for over two centuries, from 78 AD to 345 AD. The Chutus were probably subordinate to the Satavahanas in the beginning and assumed independence when the Satavahana power declined. They were one of the several dynasties described collectively as ''Andhra-bhritya'' in the Puranas. 

                                             

Coin, Chutus of Banavasi, Mulananda 

The word ''Chutu'' in Kannada means ''crest'' Chutu inscriptions contain the emblem of the cobra hood implying Chutu meant the ''cobra crest''. This also connects them to the Nagas tribes as they were associated with the region of Nagara Khanda around modern Banavasi 

                             

       Map showing location of Banavasi, Karnataka

 

Coins of Chutus were first found at Karwar, a town near Banavasi in 1833, then from excavations at Chandravalli (Chithradurg) in 1908 and in 1947 from Chandravalli excavations.

                                            

       Madhukeshwara Temple, Banavasi

Numismatic evidence suggests that the Chutus were surrounded by other Satavahana feudatories, the Kuras of Kolhapur in the north and the Sadakana Maharathis of Chandravalli. The coins of the three families are similar, and most of the coins, can be dated to the 2nd century AD. By the last quarter of the 2nd century, the power of these three feudatory families was eclipsed by the Satavahanas, who appear to have assumed greater control over their territories.

                                         

     Sirsi, Sahasralinga, near Banavasi

 

When the Satavahana power declined in the first half of the 3rd century AD, the Chutus retained their authority at Banavasi, unlike the Kuras and Sadakana Maharathis. Their rule is attested by at least four inscriptions dated between 260 AD and 340 AD. They appear to have controlled Kunkalli, Balli and Konkan in present day Goa, as subordinates of the Bhojas

                                          

       Madhukeshwara Temple at Banavasi

Chutu dynasty came to an end probably in the first or second half of the 3rd century, around 250-275 AD. Of the Chutu dynasty two kings are known through inscriptions, Hariti-putra Chutu-kadananda Satkarni and his grandson Hariti-putra Siva-skanda-varman, who ruled in Banavasi before the Kadamba dynasty.

The Chutus appear to have continued the policy of consolidating their power by intermarriage with their neighbours (Ikashvaku dynasty) and the Satavahana dynasty. The designs on the Chutu coins suggest that they were Buddhists. 

                                       

Tree in 12 bracketed railing, Triratna symbol on the coin

The Chutu rule seems to have ended when Mayurasharman established the Kadamba dynasty with its capital at Banavasi in 345 AD.

Coins of Chutus of Banavasi

                                         

Chutus, Karshapana, 78-175 AD, Mulananda, lead, weight 10.2 g, Obverse: 8 arched hills with river below, legend in Brahmi reads ''ra no mu la nam da sa'' Reverse: Tree in 12 bracketed railing, Triratna symbol.

                                           

Lead coin of Chutus of Banavasi, Obverse: Ten arched hill, river symbol below, Reverse: Srivatsa 

                                           

Chutus of Banavasi, 78-175 AD, Mulananda, lead, weight 13.9 g

Obverse: 8 arched hills with river symbol below and Brahmi legend around ''Rajno Mulanamdasa''

Reverse: Tree in railing with 4 compartments, nandipara and swastika on left

 

                                           

Chutus of Banavasi, 175-280 AD, Lead, Sivalananda, weight 13.4 gm

Obverse: 8 arched hill, Brahmi legend around ''Rajno Sivalanamdasa

Reverse: Railed tree within 12 compartment railing, bow and arrow at right 

                                           

Chutus of Banavasi, 78-175 AD, Mulananda, lead 2nd century AD, weight 11.8 g

Obverse: 8 arched hills with Brahmi legend around, 

Reverse: tree in 12 compartment railing, Triratna symbol right 

                                           

Chutus, Chatukulanda 70 AD, lead, weight 17.3 g

Obverse: 8 arched chaitya, river symbol below, Brahmi legend ''rano chatukulaman dasa''

Reverse"tree in railing, nandipara/triratna left, swastika below, indra-dhvaj below.

 

                                              

Chutus of Banavasi, Mulananda, 78-175 AD, lead, weight 13.2 g, Obverse: 8 arched hill, Brahmi legend around, ''Rajno Mulanamdasa, Reverse: tree in 12 compartment railing, nandipara on right

Chutu Dynasty

Chutus of Banavasi

Chutus of Banavasis coins