Malayaman Dynasty and Coins

 

The Malayaman were chieftains who ruled Miladu Naadu, the area around Tirukoyilur of Tamilakam, during the Sangam period (300 BC to 300 AD) . Chiefs of this dynasty readily took the title Chedirayan, and ruled the hill areas. A dynasty with Kallar family name, they worked closely with the early Cholas and the Chera dynasties. This clan's most famous king was Malayaman Thirumudi Kaary. 

                                              

Malayaman Dynasty coin, 1st century AD

Their capital was at Tirucoilur, on the river of Ponnaiyar/ Pennai. Tirucoilur was situated on the early trade route from north to south and enjoyed trade with the Satavahanas. 

                                              

Tirukovalur or Thirukkovalur, also known as Tirukoilur, Tirukoyilur, Tirucoilur or Tirukovilur, is located on the banks of Pennai river

The principal port was at Arikamedu on the east. 

                                         

Map showing the port Arikamedu

Their royal emblem featured a horse, depicted on their coins. Malaiyamans descended from the pastoral shepherd tribe in the Mullai (forest) region. Vanavan Mahadevi, the mother of Rajaraja Chola I, Vanavan Mahadevi, was a princess of Malayaman family. She committed sati at the king's death and her image may have been installed at the Thanjavur temple by her daughter, Kundavi Pirattiyar. There are many records pertaining to this dynasty in Tamil literature.  Many castes today claim their descent from Malayaman. 

                                             

Veeratteswara temple,Tirukoyilur

                                           

Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur
   

The Malayamans issued copper coins of quadrilateral shape which bore their royal emblem, a horse (facing left and sometimes right). In some of the earlier coins, the legend ''Malayaman'' above the horse motif decorated the obverse of the coins. Most of their coins carried the symbolic map of their territory on the reverse. A wide curved river with fishes flowing in it, and a hillock on the side of the river. They weighed about 2-4 gm and were thin, unlike the contemporary Chera coins.

Coins of Malayaman

                                               

Malayaman, 100 AD, copper, weight 2.9 gm

Obverse: Horse standing to right, altar in front, trident on top

Reverse: River flowing from mountains with fishes

                                              

Malayaman, 1st century AD, weight 4.2 gm

Obverse: Horse facing right, before altar

Reverse: River flowing from three hills, ankusa and symbol to left

                                            

Malayaman, 1st to 3rd century AD, copper, weight 3.3 gm

Obverse: Horse standing right, 

Reverse: Map illustrating the location of Tirucollur, the capital, river Ponnaiyar flowing

                                            

Malayaman, 1st century AD, copper, weight 2.5 gm

Obverse: Horse standing facing right, altar in front

Reverse: Map showing three peaked hill, curved river with fishes and hillock on side of river

                                            

Malayaman, 1st century AD, copper, weight 3.0 gm

Obverse: Horse standing facing right, altar in front

Reverse: Map showing three peaked hill, curved river with fishes and hillock on side of river

                                            

Malayaman, 1st to 3rd century AD, copper, weight 2.7 gm

Obverse: Horse standing right, 

Reverse: Map illustrating the location of Tirucollur, the capital, river Ponnaiyar flowing

                                           

Malayaman, 1st century AD, copper, weight 2.0 gm

Obverse: Horse standing facing right, altar in front

Reverse: Map showing three peaked hill, curved river with fishes and hillock on side of river

  

                                           

Malayaman, 100 AD, copper, weight 3.2 gm

Obverse: Horse standing to right, altar in front, trident on top

Reverse: River flowing from mountains with fishes

Malayaman

Tirukoyilur

Coins of Malayaman