Sri Lanka, 985 - 1014 AD., Chola Occupation, RajaRaja Chola, 1 Massa, Mitchiner 732.
Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Chola Occupation, Rajaraja Chola of Thanjavur in TamilNadu (985-1014 AD.), 985-1014 AD.,
1 Massa / Æ 18 / Kavanahu (17-18 mm / 3,66 g), copper, axes medal alignment ↑↑ (ca. 0°),
Obv.: Traditional Lankan massa design of standing king with torch on left and group of spheres with dots on right, surmounted by crescent, sphere with dot in left hand.
Rev.: Sri Raja raja (in Devanagari script on right half) , seated king on left facing right with legend beneath his raised arm.
Mitchiner 732 ; MCSI2 338 type ; http://coins.lakdiva.org/medievalindian/rajaraja_chola_massa_cu.html ; http://www.forumancientcoins.com/india/southind/chola/south_cholacat2.html .
Rajaraja Chola (985-1014) invaded Lanka in 990 AD and conquered the northern half. Ruining Anuradhapura he made Polonnaruwa his capital on the island;. Rajendra (1014-1044) Chola succeeded in extended Chola occupation over the whole island of Lanka in 1018. Lanka became regained independence from Chola occupation in 1070 under Vijaya-bahu (1055-1110) (King Vijayabahu I), who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 AD to reunite the country once more under a local leader.