PCB engineer builds rare collection of ancient coins from Telugu states

BVR Badragirish, an environmental engineer from Telangana, has collected over 1,000 ancient coins spanning from the Asamaka Janapada era to the British period. His collection includes rare Satavahana, Kakatiya, and Roman coins, reflecting trade and history of Telugu states

Sangareddy: While pursuing Chemical Engineering at Osmania University and later post-graduation from IIT-Madras, BVR Badragirish developed a deep interest in history and archaeology, particularly in ancient Indian numismatics. Even after taking up a job as an environmental engineer with the Pollution Control Board three decades ago, he continued his passion for studying coins minted by rulers of the Telugu states.

Over the years, Badragirish has collected more than 1,000 ancient coins. The oldest in his collection is a silver coin called Panam, dating back to 600–500 BC from the Asamaka Janapada period along the Godavari. It is regarded as the first coin in circulation in Telangana nearly 2,500 years ago.

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Later, copper coins dating to 200 BC were found at Kotilingala in Karimnagar district, bearing the names of local rulers Gobada and his successor Samagopa in Brahmi script. As Hindus traditionally offered coins in rivers, Badragirish toured temples along riverbanks in both states, sourcing coins from collectors and locals.

Among his rare finds is a silver coin minted by Gautamiputra Satakarni, a prominent Satavahana ruler of the 1st century AD. He also possesses Roman gold coins of the same period, linked to trade with Vasisthiputra Sri Pulamavi, Satakarni’s son. Some carry ship symbols, indicating maritime trade with Rome during the reign of Pulamavi and his successor Yagnashri Satakarni. His collection also includes rare gold coins from the Kakatiya period, inscribed with Rajayagajakesari, the highest title bestowed on rulers, in Telugu.

Badragirish, born and brought up in Palvancha, Khammam district, began collecting coins in the early 1990s. His father, originally from Vinukonda in Guntur, worked at KTPS in Palvancha.

He told Telangana Today that his passion, nurtured since graduation days, has enabled him to gather coins spanning from the Asamaka Janapada era to the British period, including those from the Madras Presidency and the Nizam’s Hyderabad. Despite not finding time for an exhibition due to professional commitments, his association with Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam since 2014 has helped him pursue his passion with renewed vigour.