India, 1792-1850 AD., Ramatanka, cf. Mitchiner, 4723.

India, ca. 1792-1850 AD.,
"Ramatanka" , Hindu religious 'temple token' or votive piece (white metal or very debased silver) (26 mm / 23,80 g),
Obv.: Durbar scene with Rama, left and Sita, right, seated on a platform, Hanuman below. Two servants on both sides, one on right holding umbrella.
Rev.: seven Rishis proceeding left, each holding emblems aloft, pseudo-script above and below.
for type: cf. Mitchiner NI&WC no. 4723 .

"ALRIK" explained:
Indian temple tokens of this type called ramatankas, were used as Hindu festive gifts and votive offerings at temples.
While silver remained relatively inexpensive and routinely used for coinage, ramatankas and other temple tokens continued to be made in silver, with varying degrees of fineness. After World War I the use of silver for coinages was restricted and temple tokens more and more came to be minted in brass with a silver coating. By the second quarter of the 20th century they were made solely in brass and other copper-based alloys of lower grades. Some were crudely cast rather than struck from dies.
THE 'DUBAR' SCENE (Ram Dubar)
Designs on all ramatankas were inspired by scenes from the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana (meaning Rama's journey). This tells the story of Rama’s banishment, exile and eventual triumphant return to his claim his kingdom at Ayodhya. Dubar scenes on ramatankas always include the main characters of the Ramayana – Rama, his wife Sita, his half-brothers Lakshman, Baratha and Satrughra. The monkey god Hanuman, a loyal devotee of Rama is always there as well, giving devotion to Rama. Hanuman played a central role and provided invaluable assistance to Rama.

During his coronation celebrations, Rama sits on a platform (dubar) while to his right sits Sita. Lakshman, his half-brother, stands to the far left holding the royal parasol. Opposite right are Rama’s other half-brothers, Baratha and Satrughna. Hanuman god sits or kneels beneath the platform offering prayers and devotion to Lord Rama.

The smaller coin shows minor variations such as the addition of an attendant standing behind Lakshman and Satrughna holding a cooling fan or fly-whisk.

The Dubar scenes on the coins photographed are a simplified version showing only the six main characters. Earlier versions on temple tokens were more crowded showing several attendants and sometimes inscriptions. From the early 18th century inscriptions rarely accompanied the Dubar scene.

REVERSE SIDE - RAMA & LAKSHMAN
The two figures on this side are Rama with his half-brother and inseparable companion, Lakshman. They are always shown holding their bow and arrows, sometimes a trident as well (as in these coins). Both were legendary in their archery skills.

Around the edge is a Devanagari inscription invoking names from the Ramayana. A rough translation reads ‘rama ladamana janaka jabala hanamanaka’ but there are also many corrupted variations of the same. ‘ladamana’ refers to Lakshman, ‘janaka’ was king Janaka, father of Sita, ‘jabala’ was Jambavat, king of the bears who helped Rama on his way to Lanka and ‘hanamanaka’ refers to Hanuman, the monkey god.

The Ramayana (Rama’s journey) is one of the great ancient Indian Hindu epics believed to have originated as far back as 400 BC. It centres around the adventures of it’s main hero, Rama. The epic is more than an adventure story, it is a highly moralistic tale full of allusion that can be interpreted as instruction for what is right and wrong behaviour. The words and deeds of the gods and characters in the Ramayana represent the classic battle between good and evil, where good triumphs in the end.

The Ramayana reminds me of Homer’s Western literature epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey. Like the Ramayana, the Iliad and Odyssey are hero centred around the main character, Odysseus. Homer’s epics recount Odysseus’ journey, his trials with the gods, demons, monsters and eventual return home to reclaim his kingdom in Ithaca.

The Ramayana beings with King Dasaratha who ruled his kingdom from the capital, Ayodhya. He had three wives but no son and heir to carry on his dynasty. After many years of prayer and sacrifice and desparate to have a son, his wives give birth to four sons! Kausalya gave birth to Rama, being the eldest was destined to be first in line for the throne. Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata then Sumitra gave birth to the twins, Lakshman and Satrughna.

Rama and Lakshman were the closest and grew up together as inseparable companions. Both were highly skilled in the military arts, especially that of the bow which has relevance in the Ramayana. Rama and Lakshman are represented on the reverse side of these coins with their bow and arrow.

Rama married Sita and they lived at Ayodhya. Now aged, Dasaratha choose Rama to succeed him as king but his second wife Kaikeyi, through intrigue and deceit, compromised the king and had him promise to make her son Bharata become king instead. She also demanded that Rama be banished to the forests for fourteen years. Rama believed he was morally bound to this state of affairs and left for the forests. Sita was asked to stay but insisted that she accompany Rama as did his companion and half-brother, Lakshman. Within a week of Rama’s departure king Dasaratha had ‘conveniently’ died.

During these events Bharata was away and shocked to learn of what happened but reluctantly acceded to the situation. Immediately, Bharata left for the forests to seek out Rama to beg for him to return and accept his rightful throne. Having found him, Rama refused saying he was honour-bound to remain and complete his fourteen year exile. So Bharata returned and promised to rule Ayodhya as regent until Rama’s return, learning from the advice Rama gave him.

Much of Rama’s exile involves adventure, intrigue, battles and victories over those gods and demons hostile to him. At the same time he had met other friendly gods who understood Rama’s greatness so they remained as loyal allies.

A turning point in the saga comes when Rama, Sita and Lakshman were tricked by cunning and guile with the purpose of abducting Sita. Sita was taken to Lanka (Sri Lanka) and held captive by the 10-headed demon-king Ravana where he tried to persuade her to become his wife. Sita remained faithful to Rama.

Rama with Lakshman decided to seek out Ravana’s kingdom and recover his wife. On their journey they met the monkey-king, Sugriva and understanding each other’s situation formed an alliance. King Sugriva sought Rama’s and Lakshman’s help to recover his kingdom from his half-brother, Bali and in return would assist Rama to recapture Sita and defeat Ravana. Bali was killed and king Sugriva recovered his kingdom. True to his word, Sugriva raised a mighty army of monkeys then led Rama and Lakshman onwards to Lanka. Hanuman, an ambassador of Sugriva found out where Sita was being held captive and told her of Rama's plans. Sita became convinced when Hanuman gave her the signet ring presented by Rama. Hanuman eventually made his way back after causing much chaos in Lanka and informed Rama of everything.

A bridge was built and Rama with the monkey army crossed over to Lanka. Ravana’s army led by his sons had met in battle. Both sides suffered hugh losses. Eventually, Ravana’s sons were killed and their army defeated. So it came down to single combat between Ravana and Rama. After a long and fierce combat Ravana was killed, there was great rejoicing throughout the land having being delivered from his tyrannical rule.

Thereafter, the saga takes another turn after Rama and Sita are reunited. Their marriage was tested by doubt. Rama believed, or that others would believe, his wife Sita may have been unfaithful with Ravana during her long captivity. Sita felt publicily humiliated by this cruel rejection and was determined to prove herself innocent of Rama’s accusations so underwent the fire ordeal. If pure and innocent as she claimed the fire god Agni would protect her, Lakshman prepared the pyre. To everyone’s horror, including Rama’s, Sita threw herself onto the flaming pyre. But Agni delivered her from the flames unhurt and hand-in-hand he presented Sita to Rama. Rama was overjoyed but in his heart believed Sita’s innocence all along and had to go along with the ordeal to persuade his followers of her purity.

The exile was over and so Rama, Sita, Lakshman together with many monkey generals, including Hanuman, entered Ayodhya in triumph. Amid great celebrations, Rama was crowned king in a ceremony (the ‘Dubar Scene’).