Feudatory Polygars in Northern Tamilnadu, Anonymous, Copper Cash, 3.20g, Vellore Mint, Obv: Leaf design copied from issues of Muhammad Adil Shah, Rev: Mint-name “Weyloor” in Arabic (Unlisted in major publications). Extremely fine, extremely rare.
Vellore was an important stronghold in the upper Cauvery-Penneru doaba. It was captured in 1676 by the armies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his famous ‘Southern conquest’ expeditions. The obverse design of the coin suggests a direct connect with the Adilshahis, under whose control it lay in c.1665-1676 and it is likely that it was struck during the reign of Ali Adil Shah II (1656-1672), by a local feudatory official.