Daijiworld Media Network – Belagavi
Belagavi, Sept 5: What began as routine construction work turned into a remarkable discovery for a group of labourers in Inchala village of Savadatti taluk, after they unearthed a hoard of 14 gold coins hidden inside a vessel.
The coins were discovered while the labourers were working near a BCM hostel in the village. The 14 coins together weigh 54.8 grams and are estimated to be worth around Rs 8.27 lac.
Instead of keeping the valuable find, the labourers immediately handed the coins over to the authorities, earning appreciation for their honesty. In the presence of the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) and taluk panchayat staff, the coins were handed over to Savadatti tahsildar Mallikarjun Heggannavar.
The Tahsildar later deposited all the recovered coins with the government treasury.
The discovery has also triggered considerable historical curiosity. The coins reportedly bear an image of an elephant, raising the possibility that they could be linked to the Ganga rulers of Talakadu, for whom the elephant was the royal emblem.
Preliminary speculation suggests that the coins could belong to a period between the 10th and 15th centuries CE. However, their exact date, origin and historical background remain uncertain and will require detailed examination before any conclusions can be drawn.
The discovery has drawn particular attention because of the potentially significant age and historical value of the coins. Based on their visible characteristics, they are tentatively suspected to be around 800 to 1,000 years old.
The Savadatti taluk administration has praised the labourers for their exemplary honesty in surrendering the gold coins despite their value running into lakhs of rupees.
Authorities are now awaiting a detailed assessment to establish the coins’ historical significance, provenance and precise period. Officials said that only after examination by the Archaeology Department can their actual age, historical importance and official value be conclusively determined.