Banas of Madurai & Ramnad , Samarakolakalan ( 1469 - 1476 AD )

Banas of Madurai & Ramnad , 
Samarakolakalan ( 1469 - 1476 AD )

Banas controlled much of Madurai , Ramanathapuram and some parts  of Kongu  regions from 14th to middle of 16th century their  epigraphs  are found in regions  of Madurai, Ramnad and Pudukottai . From the inscriptions, it appears that Irangavillidasan Navali Vanaraya Bana, Bhuvaneka Vira Samara Kolahala, Sundar Tol-udaiyan, Tirumal Irunjolai Mahabali Bana were the chiefs at Madurai as well as Ramnad.

They minted coins from Madurai with Garuda on the obverse and their title on the reverse. These coins bear two distinguishing  titles Bhuvanekavira and Samarakola kalan. Type 1: Obverse: a seated Garuda on a fish; flanking the Garuda are conch and discus. Reverse: The legend reading Samarakolakala. The legend is in three lines separated by line markings. Type 2: Obverse: Garuda with conch and discus Reverse: Legend Samarakolakala in beteen lines. Type 3: Obverse: Gauda with conch and discus Reverse: Legend Samarakolakala in between lines. Palaeographically earlier.

Type 4: Obverse: Garuda. Sankha and Cakra, a beautiful umbrella above. Reverse: legend ‘Bhuvanekavira’. Type 5: Obverse: Garuda holding a snake in the arms. Sanka Cakra present in the obverse. Reverse: the legend Bhuvanekavira separated by lines. Type 6: Obverse: Garuda with conch and discus. Reverse: Two fishes shown horizontally with a crozier in between.