Chahamanas of Sakambhari, Vigraharaja IV, (1150-1164 AD), Gold Dinar, 4.06 gms, Lord Rama type, Obv. Lord Rama, nimbate, holding arrow in right hand, bow (without string and with little curvature) in his left hand, standing amongst the trees and vines, with the hamsa bird to the left & lotus on right, legends ‘sri rama’ Rev. Nagari legends ‘srimad vigraharaja deva’, Deyell 213a, very fine, extremely rare. This Coin Depicts the earliest known depiction of Lord Rama in any Numismatic Evidence. Vigraharaja IV (c. 1150–1164 CE), also known as Visaladeva, was one of the greatest rulers of the Chahamana (Chauhan) dynasty of Shakambhari and Ajmer. During his reign, the Chauhan kingdom expanded significantly, extending its influence across large parts of present-day Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. He successfully campaigned against neighbouring kingdoms and resisted incursions from the Ghaznavids, establishing the Chahamanas as the dominant power in north-western India. 

A patron of learning and culture, Vigraharaja transformed Ajayameru (Ajmer) into a major political and literary centre. He is credited with commissioning important public buildings and supporting Sanskrit scholarship. His reign is regarded as the zenith of Chauhan power before the time of his famous nephew, Prithviraj III (Prithviraj Chauhan). 

Numismatically, Vigraharaja is renowned for issuing an exceptionally rare gold dinar depicting Lord Rama holding a bow and arrow, with the legend “Śrī Rāma” on the obverse and “Śrīmad Vigraharāja Deva” on the reverse. These coins are among the most iconic and historically significant Hindu gold issues of medieval India.