.
Coin of Shahi Kings of Kabul & Gandhara Ruler Samanta Deva Circa AD, 850 - 970
Unit Silver drachm, AR Jital, 18mm, 3.33gm, axis: 135º
Obverse Horseman riding right holding banner.
Reverse Sri Samanta Deva in Sarada script. Bull Nandi recumbent left, Tamgha on hindquarters.
Reference Mitchiner 1585 – 1588
Reference Link
Reference Wikipedia
The Shahi (Devanagari शाही) [1], Sahi [2], also called Shahiya [3][4] dynasties ruled one of the Middle kingdoms of India which included portions of the Kabulistan and the old province of Gandhara (now in northern Pakistan), from the decline of the Kushan Empire in the third century to the early ninth century.[4] The kingdom was known as "Kabul Shahi" (Kabul-shāhān or Ratbél-shāhān in Persian کابلشاهان یا رتبیل شاهان) between 565 and 879[5]CE when they had Kapisa and Kabul as their capitals, and later as "Hindu Shahi" when they moved their capital to Hund. [6]
The Shahis of Kabul/Gandhara are generally divided according to two eras into the so-called Buddhist-Shahis and the so-called Hindu-Shahis, with the change-over thought to have occurred sometime around AD 870.
This Brahmanical Shahi of Afganistan and Punjab (modern Pakistan) minted interesting coins, called `bull and horseman' type coins which were later adopted by many post-Gupta dynasties including all Rajput kings (an example of Chauhan dynasty is shown below). Interestingly, these coins were also widely used as prototype by all muslim conquerors and rulers of North-west part of India which include Mahmud of Ghor. These coins were first minted by Spalapati Deva in mid-ninth century. Later on the Samanta Deva coinage was used as prototype for increasingly debased coinage struck by many dynasties. Shown above is a fine example of coin of this dynasty. The reverse of these well-executed silver coins display a recumbent bull partly draped with an ornamental cloth and stamped with the mark of trident on his rear flank. Above is the legend, "Shri Samanta Deva". On the obverse is a horseman who holds a long spear with legend "Bhi" on left margin.
By tenth century the Kshatriyas or warriors of northern India, who were descendents of post-Gupta rulers, took up a name for themselves, Rajputs, sons of Kings (derived from Sanskrit word Rajputra). These warriors depending upon lineage, divided into various clans. Each clan had a distinct lineage and kingdom. These Rajput rulers often fought among themselves to assert the supremacy, but none could built an empire. Instead, the northern, central and western parts of India was divided among many of these rulers into kingdoms of various sizes. This was the major factor which prompted the Islamic invaders to pour in India, mainly from Afghanistan and central Asia, as there was no central authority left to challenge them. Most of these Rajput rulers minted coins of similar fabric. Their gold coins were almost always had stylized Laxmi on obverse, the design of which was essentially derived from Gangeyadeva coinage (originally from Gupta coins), while reverse had name of the ruler in Devnagri script. The weight of these gold coins was maintained to be four and half Masha, which is equivalent to 3.6 gms. The silver coinage was almost entirely copied from Bull-Horseman type coin of Hindu Shahi of Kabul (an example of which is shown above) except the name of ruler was changed. Unfortunately, no ruler (Vigraharaja may be an exception) made any serious attempt to introduce new motifs or design on their coinage, nor any monetary reforms were introduced. The debasement of coinage was widespread and artistry was perhaps lowest in entire history of India.
Monday, April 12th 2010
Shahi Kings of Kabul and Gandhara
Silver drachm, Samanta Deva ca. 850-970 AD
| Obv | Rev | |
 |  | |
 |  |
Coin of Shahi Kings of Kabul & Gandhara Ruler Samanta Deva Circa AD, 850 - 970
Unit Silver drachm, AR Jital, 18mm, 3.33gm, axis: 135º
Obverse Horseman riding right holding banner.
Reverse Sri Samanta Deva in Sarada script. Bull Nandi recumbent left, Tamgha on hindquarters.
Reference Mitchiner 1585 – 1588
Reference Link
Reference Wikipedia
The Shahi (Devanagari शाही) [1], Sahi [2], also called Shahiya [3][4] dynasties ruled one of the Middle kingdoms of India which included portions of the Kabulistan and the old province of Gandhara (now in northern Pakistan), from the decline of the Kushan Empire in the third century to the early ninth century.[4] The kingdom was known as "Kabul Shahi" (Kabul-shāhān or Ratbél-shāhān in Persian کابلشاهان یا رتبیل شاهان) between 565 and 879[5]CE when they had Kapisa and Kabul as their capitals, and later as "Hindu Shahi" when they moved their capital to Hund. [6]
The Shahis of Kabul/Gandhara are generally divided according to two eras into the so-called Buddhist-Shahis and the so-called Hindu-Shahis, with the change-over thought to have occurred sometime around AD 870.
This Brahmanical Shahi of Afganistan and Punjab (modern Pakistan) minted interesting coins, called `bull and horseman' type coins which were later adopted by many post-Gupta dynasties including all Rajput kings (an example of Chauhan dynasty is shown below). Interestingly, these coins were also widely used as prototype by all muslim conquerors and rulers of North-west part of India which include Mahmud of Ghor. These coins were first minted by Spalapati Deva in mid-ninth century. Later on the Samanta Deva coinage was used as prototype for increasingly debased coinage struck by many dynasties. Shown above is a fine example of coin of this dynasty. The reverse of these well-executed silver coins display a recumbent bull partly draped with an ornamental cloth and stamped with the mark of trident on his rear flank. Above is the legend, "Shri Samanta Deva". On the obverse is a horseman who holds a long spear with legend "Bhi" on left margin.
COINS OF RAJPUT DYNASTIES
By tenth century the Kshatriyas or warriors of northern India, who were descendents of post-Gupta rulers, took up a name for themselves, Rajputs, sons of Kings (derived from Sanskrit word Rajputra). These warriors depending upon lineage, divided into various clans. Each clan had a distinct lineage and kingdom. These Rajput rulers often fought among themselves to assert the supremacy, but none could built an empire. Instead, the northern, central and western parts of India was divided among many of these rulers into kingdoms of various sizes. This was the major factor which prompted the Islamic invaders to pour in India, mainly from Afghanistan and central Asia, as there was no central authority left to challenge them. Most of these Rajput rulers minted coins of similar fabric. Their gold coins were almost always had stylized Laxmi on obverse, the design of which was essentially derived from Gangeyadeva coinage (originally from Gupta coins), while reverse had name of the ruler in Devnagri script. The weight of these gold coins was maintained to be four and half Masha, which is equivalent to 3.6 gms. The silver coinage was almost entirely copied from Bull-Horseman type coin of Hindu Shahi of Kabul (an example of which is shown above) except the name of ruler was changed. Unfortunately, no ruler (Vigraharaja may be an exception) made any serious attempt to introduce new motifs or design on their coinage, nor any monetary reforms were introduced. The debasement of coinage was widespread and artistry was perhaps lowest in entire history of India.
Monday, April 12th 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment