Coins of the British Commonwealth - Travancore.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shastri JC. Philip on January 11, 2010 at 5:01am

There is nothing incorrect with Vurma. For proper names, people of Kerala often use spelling which is at variance with spelling that prevails in other places in India. Thus Vurma is only a variation of Varma, and not a wrong spelling.

The Obverse inscription is in Malayalam. It says "Thiruvithamkur Ara Rupa" (Thiruvithamkur/Travancore Half Rupee)

However, the isolated section at the bottom of the obverse does not look like Malayalam script and I could not read it. I will check and post.

Shastri JC Philip

General Editor: Indian Coins Encyclopedia
(A Multi Volume, Free, Electronic Book Project of Shastri Numismatics Academy)
www.IndianCoins.org

Permalink Reply by Aidan Work on January 11, 2010 at 6:16am

Shastri,
That is very interesting.

Perhaps the Travancoreans had developed a distinctive way of translating native names into English,hence the name 'Rama Vurma' instead of the familiar 'Rama Varma'.

Aidan.

Permalink Reply by Shastri JC. Philip on January 11, 2010 at 7:35am

The difference in the spelling of proper name continues even today in Kerala (Travancore+Kochi+North Kerala). The difference is connected with the way Malayalam is pronounced.

Rama Varma looks more familiar to you because most people who developed numismatics were not from this State. Thus they used the spelling Varama (that corresponds with the north Indian surname Varma).

Subsequently, modern Kerala writers have also adopted Varma in most of their contemporary writings.

Shastri JC Philip
www.IndianCoins.org

Permalink Reply by Aidan Work on January 11, 2010 at 2:56pm

Travancore ME1114 (1938) 1 Chuckram.

Struck during the reign of Maharajah Sir Bala Rama Varma II (1924-49/91).

Maharajah Sir Bala Rama Varma II ceased to be a ruling Maharajah of Travancore in 1949,but remained a titular monarch until his death in 1991,when his younger brother became the titular Maharajah of Travancore & Head of the Travancorean Royal Family.

Both this coin,& the undated one (which I also have) are the only 2 coins,apart from the Travancorean gold 1/2 Sovereign & Sovereign,to depict the Maharajah of Travancore's portrait.

Please let me know what you think.

Aidan.

Permalink Reply by Abhed Kiran Kandamath on November 10, 2011 at 6:53pm

Dear Mr Philip,

 

The Script in the isolated section at the bottom of the obverse is the Malayalam script and are the numerals denoting the year 1889.Hope that helps.

Thanks for your posts!

 

Shastri JC. Philip said:

There is nothing incorrect with Vurma. For proper names, people of Kerala often use spelling which is at variance with spelling that prevails in other places in India. Thus Vurma is only a variation of Varma, and not a wrong spelling.

The Obverse inscription is in Malayalam. It says "Thiruvithamkur Ara Rupa" (Thiruvithamkur/Travancore Half Rupee)

However, the isolated section at the bottom of the obverse does not look like Malayalam script and I could not read it. I will check and post.

Shastri JC Philip

General Editor: Indian Coins Encyclopedia
(A Multi Volume, Free, Electronic Book Project of Shastri Numismatics Academy)
www.IndianCoins.org