Ancient India – Pre-Islamic Multan
Chach Dynasty of Alor | Silver Damma | Stylized Bust & Altar Type
A fascinating and extremely historic silver Damma attributed to the Chach Dynasty of Alor, associated with the pre-Islamic period of Multan and dating to approximately c. 675–700 CE. Weighing just 0.59 grams, this tiny yet important silver coin is over 1,300 years old and represents a remarkable chapter in the early medieval monetary history of the north-western Indian subcontinent.
The coin features a highly stylized bust on the obverse and an intriguing altar design surrounded by symbolic Brahmi-derived characters on the reverse. Its small size and distinctive iconography make it a particularly interesting collectible from the transitional period before the establishment of Islamic rule in the region.
OBVERSE:
The obverse depicts a highly stylized bust facing right.
The abstract and simplified portrait reflects the distinctive artistic traditions of early medieval north-western Indian coinage.
REVERSE:
The reverse features a sacred altar or symbolic central motif, with a distinctive three-dot design above.
The altar is surrounded by the characters “Shri Ta Pa Na Ja”, forming an important and intriguing feature of this rare early medieval coin type.
COIN DETAILS:
Region: Pre-Islamic Multan
Dynasty: Chach Dynasty of Alor
Period: c. 675–700 CE
Denomination: Silver Damma
Metal: Silver
Weight: 0.59 g
Diameter: 10.96 mm
Mint: Not Mentioned / Uncertain
Date: Undated
Obverse: Stylized bust facing right
Reverse: Three-dot motif above altar, surrounded by “Shri Ta Pa Na Ja”
Script/Characters: Brahmi-derived regional characters
Age: Approximately 1,325–1,350 years old
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The Chach Dynasty was an important ruling power in the north-western Indian subcontinent during the 7th century CE. The dynasty was associated with the region of Sindh and Alor, while its political influence formed part of the wider historical landscape connecting Sindh, Multan and neighbouring territories.
This period represents an important transitional phase in the history of the north-western subcontinent, immediately preceding major political changes that would transform the region during the early medieval period.
PRE-ISLAMIC MULTAN CONNECTION:
Multan was an important ancient centre of trade, religion and political activity. Its location connected the Indian subcontinent with regions further west and north-west, making it an important part of historical commercial networks.
Coins associated with this early period are valuable historical documents because they preserve evidence of the monetary traditions that existed before later political transformations of the region.
NUMISMATIC SIGNIFICANCE:
This small silver Damma is particularly interesting for its distinctive combination of:
• Ancient stylized bust facing right
• Sacred altar imagery
• Unusual three-dot motif
• “Shri Ta Pa Na Ja” characters surrounding the reverse
• Rare early medieval silver denomination
• Association with Pre-Islamic Multan
• Over 1,300 years of history
The highly stylized artwork reflects the evolution of local coinage traditions during the early medieval period, when older artistic influences were gradually transformed into distinctive regional styles.
COLLECTOR'S APPEAL:
An excellent addition to collections specialising in:
Pre-Islamic Indian Coins
Ancient Multan Coinage
Chach Dynasty Coins
Sindh & Alor History
Early Medieval Indian Coinage
Ancient Silver Coins
Rare Damma Coins
Brahmi-Derived Script Coins
North-Western Indian Numismatics
7th Century CE Coinage
A remarkable ancient silver Damma, over 1,300 years old, attributed to the Chach Dynasty of Alor and associated with Pre-Islamic Multan, featuring a distinctive stylized bust and symbolic altar design — a fascinating survivor from one of the most important transitional periods in the history of the north-western Indian subcontinent.
