Maharaja Jaysinh Siddharaj Na Chandina Sikka - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Maharaja Jaysinh Siddharaj na Chandina Sikka" (Silver Coins of Maharaja Jaysinh Siddharaj), by Amrut Pandya:

The article addresses a significant gap in the historical understanding of Gujarat's Solanki (Chaulukya) dynasty: the scarcity of their coins. While acknowledging that numerous inscriptions and Jain prabandhas (historical accounts) exist detailing the lives of Solanki rulers, including Gujarat-Saurashtra's powerful dynasty, the author highlights the surprising lack of their coinage. This absence is noted by prominent historians like Dr. Hemachandrarai and Dr. Hasmukh Sankalia.

However, the text argues that contemporary literature does indicate the existence of Solanki coinage. It cites the Yashray by Shri Hemchandracharya, a Gujarati commentary on Shridharacharya's Ganitsara, and a manuscript titled Dravyaprākaś by Kakura Fekrut, an official of Alauddin Khilji's mint, which reportedly describes specific coins of Solanki kings. Dr. Umakant Shah is also mentioned for discovering new information in older literature related to these coins.

The core of the article focuses on attempts to identify coins belonging to Maharaja Jaysinh Siddharaj, a renowned Solanki ruler (reigned approximately 1094-1143 AD).

Key Findings and Arguments:

The "Siddharaj" Gold Coins: The article discusses seven silver coins of Gurjar-Pratihara king Bhojadeva found in 1905 along with two gold coins. These gold coins, weighing 65 and 66 grains with a diameter of 85° and 80", bore the inscription "Shrisiddharājnah" in Old Nagari script. R. Burn of the Asiatic Society of Bengal attributed these to Gujarat's Solanki king Siddharaj. Later, in 1936, Rai Bahadur Prayag Dayal re-examined these coins with the advice of Kashi Nath Dikshit. They agreed with Burn's attribution, noting the inscription "Siddharājaḥ" on both sides in 11th-12th-century script. While their weight and size were comparable to coins of contemporary Maharaja Govindachandra, their unusual shape and unclear imprints suggested they might not have been standard currency but rather commemorative coins for events like the conquest of Malwa.
The "Shri Jayasimha" Silver Coins: The article introduces the discovery of several small silver coins, found by a student named Morlidhar Mangaldas Shah from Pilvai village, which were shown to Shri Bhailalbhai Patel.
- Obverse: An elephant figure, potentially a symbol of Lakshmi.
- Reverse: Three lines of inscription. The first line is partially legible as "Shri," with other letters worn. The second line reads "Shrimanjaysimha" in 11th-12th-century Gujarat-prevailing Nagari script. The third line is also damaged.
- Details: The average diameter is 8 mm, and the average weight is 7.815 grains.
Attribution Debate: The central question is whether these "Jaysimha" coins belong to Gujarat's Jaysinh Siddharaj or another king named Jaysimha.
- Arguments for Siddharaj:
  - The inscription "Shrimanjaysimha" on the coins matches the known name of the ruler.
  - Siddharaj's inscriptions, like a copper-plate from Ladol dated VS 1156 (1100 AD), clearly state his name as "Shrisinhdevah." His signature on this plate also matches.
  - Siddharaj's empire extended to the region of Jhansi (ancient Jejakabhukti), where the gold "Siddharaj" coins were found.
  - The style of the silver coins (elephant motif on obverse, three-line inscription on reverse) resembles the Gaṅgeyadeva style of coins prevalent in North India after the fall of the Gurjar-Pratihara empire, which also influenced Gujarat's coinage. The elephant is interpreted as a symbol of Lakshmi, following a tradition of using the vahana (mount) instead of the deity's image.
  - The discovery of these coins in North Gujarat (Pilvai) and copper coins of the same ruler in Saurashtra suggests a Gujarat-based ruler.
  - Mahakavi Maithili Sharan Gupt wrote a prominent poem in Hindi titled "Siddharaj," indicating the ruler's historical significance.
  - The article suggests that the scarcity of Solanki coins is due to Alauddin Khilji's conquest of Gujarat in 1297 AD, which led to the confiscation and melting down of existing wealth to mint new currency. The Dravyaprākaś manuscript is cited as evidence of Solanki coins being sent to Delhi.
- Arguments Against Siddharaj (or for an alternative attribution):
  - Dr. Umakant Shah suggests the coins might belong to Jayasimha or Jayantsimha, who briefly usurped the Chaulukyan throne after Ajayapala. A copper-plate charter of this ruler, dated VS 1280 (1223 AD), bears the inscription "Shrimajjayasimhadevasya."
  - Dr. Bühler, who deciphered Jayantsimha's grant, identified him as a usurper who supplanted Bhima II for a time.
  - The article notes that Dr. Shah's argument for Jayantsimha is based on his signature "Shrimanjaysimhadevasya" on the copper-plate. However, the author points out that Siddharaj's signature on his copper-plates is "Shrisinhdevah," and the coins have "Shrimanjaysimha." The key difference highlighted is the presence of "Shrimatt" or similar prefixes in the inscription on the coins and Jayantsimha's grant, which, according to the author, rulers rarely used in their personal signatures.
  - Dr. Shah's interpretation of Jayantsimha's signature as "Shrimanjaysimhadevasya" is questioned, with the author citing Dr. Bühler and other scholars who read it as "Shrimanjayasimhadevasya." The author suggests that Jayantsimha's signature might have been poorly executed, leading to an incorrect reading.
Conclusion: After analyzing all points, the author concludes that the silver coins bearing the name "Jaysimha," circulating in North Gujarat and Saurashtra, most likely belong to Gujarat's Solanki king Jaysinh Siddharaj (1094-1143 AD). The author acknowledges the existence of the gold "Siddharaj" coins attributed by experts and believes that if thorough searches are conducted, more Solanki coins will be found.

In essence, the article presents compelling evidence for the existence of Solanki coinage, specifically focusing on silver coins bearing the name "Jaysimha." While acknowledging scholarly debate and the existence of a usurper named Jayantsimha, the author strongly advocates for the attribution of these "Jaysimha" coins to the historically significant and widely recognized Maharaja Jaysinh Siddharaj, citing script style, geographical finds, and numismatic parallels. The scarcity of Solanki coins is attributed to historical events like the Khilji conquest.