Pika I (died 1659) was the second king of Manakapa from 1638 to 1659 after succeeding his grandfather Keanu. He ended the country's isolation and became the first monarch in history of Telamon Islands to mint his own coins called Pikeons.
Biography
Early life
Pika was born in 1615 to Keanu Henele, son of Keanu. Keanu was a warlord who managed to unite Manakapa in 1617, creating the Kingdom of Manakapa and founding the Keanu dynasty, to which Pika belonged. Henele died suddenly after defeating the Ro Spaniards in 1634 and Pika became heir to the throne of Manakapa.
Reign
In 1638, Pika I became king of Manakapa upon the death of his grandfather. He immediately moved his capital to Malu City.
Unlike Keanu, Pika I had a different view of the colonists. He ended the country's isolation and opened all ports to the Dush. He allowed them and Ro-Italians to establish embassies within the kingdom (even though Ro-Italy did not exist as a single nation at the time). Pika I also opened some ports to Romarkians, Rogauls, Ro-Swedes, Ro-Poles, and Danes. He traded with every nation interested in the region, except the Iberian Union.
As a result of trade with Eurobloxians, Kingdom of Manakapa became wealthy, which allowed Pika I to open the first mint in Aquaria. The Telamonian coins minted by Pika I and his successors until 1819 bore his name as Pikeons. They were abolished after February Uprising and reintroduced by Pekelo Nohea in 1850s.
Pika I died in 1659 at his villa in Malu City. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Ikaika I. He continued his father's open policy. However, he also allowed Ro Spaniards to trade with Manakapa.
Legacy
During the reign of Pika I, the Manakapa kingdom grew significantly wealthier, and the oldest mint on the continent was opened. For many years, the Royal Manakapa Mint was colloquially known as Mutu o Pika (Pika's mint). After Telamon Islands regained independence, it became the Telamon Islands Mint. To this day, Pika I is considered one of the best rulers in the country's history. He currently appears on the obverse of the 2 TR$ banknote.