The Madurai Nayaks, governors-turned-independent rulers after the Vijayanagara Empire's collapse following the 1565 Battle of Talikota, issued copper kasu coinage primarily for temple economy transactions rather than broad market circulation. Palani, one of the six abodes of Murugan, held enough religious and commercial weight in the region to anchor its own local issues. These small coppers moved through pilgrimage networks and temple precincts more than through trade markets, which explains why surviving examples often show uneven flan preparation rather than circulation wear.
The Madurai Nayaks, governors-turned-independent rulers after the Vijayanagara Empire's collapse following the 1565 Battle of Talikota, issued copper kasu coinage primarily for temple economy transactions rather than broad market circulation. Palani, one of the six abodes of Murugan, held enough religious and commercial weight in the region to anchor its own local issues. These small coppers moved through pilgrimage networks and temple precincts more than through trade markets, which explains why surviving examples often show uneven flan preparation rather than circulation wear.