R. Nagaswamy Tamil Coins - A Study I had occasions to re-examine Tamil Coinage, in the light of recent discoveries, during the course of my lectures to the Post-graduate students of the Institute of Epigraphy, Tamilnadu State Department of Archaeology. I found that the works of Sir. Water Elliot and Sir. T. Desikachari, are still the outstanding works on southern coins. I admire their contribution and cherish their works. As considerable new materials have turned up, it is possible to revise some of the identifications, I incorporate in this work, my recent studies on Tamil Coins. The term used to denote coin for nearly 2000 years continuously in Tamil country, is Kasu which in early times stood for gold, silver or copper coins; but in later times denoted by and large, copper coins. The following account of the other terms for coins is worth mentioning. From the Sangam age to the end of 9th century, the term kanam, played an important role. In the Pallava times mot of the taxes are mentioned in terms of Kanams. (P. 126-127). Later the term goes out of use. From the middle Pallava age - 7th century A.D. the terms Kalanju and Manjadi are also used in records. Kalanju, Madai and Kasu predominate from 9th to 12th century A.D., in the records of the Imperial Cholas. Kalanju, the main medium of exchange, meant either a minted coin or an unminted gold of specific weight. The terms Madai and Kasu always referred to minted coins. It seems that upto 12th century A.D., gold coins played an important role in transactions though barter continued to be the main mode of exchange. The term Accu begins to appear from the end of the 11th century A.D., to the 13th century A.D., mainly in Kerala and Kongu countries ad also occasionally in other parts of Tamil Nadu. In the 13th century A.D., Kasus are mentioned in several thousands in transactions indicating that copper coins were minted in loads; gold has become scarce and silver almost very little. From the end of 13th century, the dominant term Kalanju and Madai almost lose their currency. Even the term Accu begins to lose its usage. Instead the term Panam replaces these words. From the end of 13th century, Varahan is also found in records. Panam totally replaces all other terms in later period. The word, Rupya (Rupee) appears only from the 17th century with the advent of the Europeans. From the economic point of view, the regins of the Pallavas and more so of the Cholas should be considered the best period. The imperial Cholas gave the most stable economy to the land and paid great attention to agriculture and commercial guilds. The establishment of several hundred Caturvedimangalams and Nagarams (commercial settlements) by the Chola emperors, who named them after one or other of their titles - (like Raja Raja Caturvedimangalam and Kshatriyasikhamanipuram as at Ambasamudra, by Raja Raja 1) fostered agriculture and trade. The economic prosperity should be considered the main basis for Chola Supremacy. But it began to crack in the 13th century and in the 14th century the economy suffered very badly. In the early Part of the Vijayanagar reign, economy recovered steadily and was probably at its best under Krishnadevaraya, in the first quarter of the 16th century. The Nayak rule witnessed a steady decline when Hyder and Tippu appear on the scene the taxation was raised to meet their expenses of war. But the British within a couple of years after driving Hyder Ali, doubled the taxes and raised them to unbearable limits. The records of the local chieftains collected by Col Mackenzie, show in no unmistakable terms that the British exacted from every family, double that of what ws levied by Hyder Ali. The economic aspect of the Society must be understood in relation to the currency system. It would be worth while to bring out a detailed study on the lines of what has been attempted by Appadurai in his "Economic conditions in Southern India". I have tried to look at the economy briefly. I do hope that this might stimulate further interest in the subject. In the end I have added a few appendices which might be of interest to readers as these are not easily available. The value of the Book is enhanced by the learned foreword of Thiru R. Tirumalai, I.A.S., Member, Economic Administration Reforms Commission, Government of India. Thiru. R. Tirumalai has an intimate knowledge of Ancient Tamil Society by his penetrative study of Epigraphs, and his recent work "studies in the history of Ancient Townships in Pudukkottai Tract" is a model by itself. I therefore value greatly his kind and erudite foreword and thank him for the same. I also thank Thiru H. Sarkar, Director, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi for his appreciation of this work which appears on the cover page. I thank the Departmental Press and its staff for their unstinted co-operation. R. Nagaswamy