Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 29: As many as 30 gold coins dating back to the 11th century were exhibited for the first time at the State Museum on its 57th foundation day here in the city Monday.
Museum superintendent Jayanti Rath said the coins used to be in circulation in a larger part of Madhya Pradesh and Southern Orissa during the 11th and 12th century AD.
While the name of King Gangayadeva of Kalachuri dynasty appeared on the obverse of the coin in Nagari script in three lines, the reverse side shows six armed goddesses perched on ‘lalitasan’.
The museum superintendent said she hoped that the coins will throw new light on the history and culture of medieval Orissa.
She said Nabarangpur district sub-collector Prakshita Sethi handed over the gold coins to her December 24. The coins were preserved at the Umerkote sub-treasury since 1960.
Dr Ratha said some woodcutters found the gold coins from the cave of a tree while cutting timber in Jharigaon forest and took the treasure home. Some of them also used the gold coins as ornaments.
But after certain unwanted incidents occurred in the houses of people who found the gold coins, such as untimely deaths and houses getting burned, the gold coins were soon thought to be a source of misfortune and were promptly deposited with the Jharigaon police station.
Later, the coins were deposited at the Umerkote sub-treasury and were there till they were brought here.
In addition to the gold coins, some rare silver ornaments like crowns, arms, earrings, a waist-belt for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and goddess Subhadra were also put on display at the museum
Monday.
Twenty three life-size photographs of the primitive tribals and ornaments made of copper, brass and silver used by them were also on display.
Speaking at the foundation day function, tourism and culture minister Ashok Panda said four more galleries — on pattachitra, evolution of man, freedom fighters, minerals and geology would be added to the museum soon.