Within the walls of Thanjai Fort, the royal mint where gold coins were cast was itself built like a small fortress. The outer security of the mint was as formidable as that at the main gates of Thanjai Fort. That evening, when Kundavai Devi and Vanathi went to visit the mint, the goldsmiths were just finishing their work and preparing to leave. The gatekeepers were ready to search the goldsmiths before letting them out. The goldsmiths gathered near the entrance.

At that moment, the royal chariot arrived and halted at the mint’s gate. Kundavai and Vanathi alighted. At the sight of them, both the guards and the goldsmiths forgot themselves and cried out, “Long live the young princess!” The head of the mint hurried forward and welcomed the royal maidens with great enthusiasm. He led them inside and showed them the blazing fire-pit where gold was melted, the molds used for minting coins, and the newly struck coins themselves.

That day’s freshly minted gold coins lay in heaps on one side. The gleam of that pure gold dazzled the eyes. On one side of each coin was stamped the seal of a tiger, and on the other, the seal of a ship.

“Do you see, Vanathi? For countless ages, gold from all corners of the world has flowed into this Chola land. It came by land, it came by sea. Until now, the responsibility of carrying all that gold has fallen upon the women of Chola Nadu. They bore it as ornaments, adorning themselves, unable to sleep for the weight they carried. But in recent times, that burden upon the women of Chola Nadu has begun to lessen. Our Lord of Tanjore, Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, has arranged for dazzling gold coins like these to be minted!” said Kundavai.

“Akka! What convenience does this bring?” Vanathi asked.

“What convenience? Oh, you know nothing, girl! When gold is made into coins like this, it is easy to measure its value without having to weigh it each time. It is convenient for the people to pay taxes to the government. Merchants, when trading with foreigners, need not struggle to barter goods for goods. They can buy goods with gold coins; they can sell goods and receive gold coins in return. That is why the traders of Chola Nadu praise our Lord Pazhuvettaraiyar… Let me tell you one more thing. Listen!” Kundavai lowered her voice as she spoke. She said, “For those who plot against the Emperor and his family, these coins offer great convenience. Even the most virtuous men can be turned into traitors through these gold coins, can they not?”

The words Kundavai spoke last fell lightly upon the ears of the chief officer of the mint who stood nearby. That officer replied, “Yes, my lady! We hear of such dreadful rumors in these times. That is why, for some days now, the security around this mint has been greatly increased. The number of those coming to and going from the underground prison