Indo-Sasanian coinage

Indo-Sasanian coinage was major type of coinage of the post-Gupta Empire period, in the areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan in western India and in the Gangetic region, from the 6th century to the 12th century CE.[1][2] These coins were derived from the Sasanian coinage design, probably transmitted to the subcontinent by the Alchon Huns as they invaded northern India circa 500 CE.[1] They are an important component of Indian coinage.

Indo-Sasanian coinage
(530-1202 CE)
Indo-Sasanians coins, with similar types of Sasanian-style bust on the obverse and crude fire altar on the reverse. These are mainly Gurjara types, circa 6th-7th century, with a few later Chavada and Chaulukya types.
Indo-Sasanian coinage of the Chaulukyas ("Gadhaiya Paise"). 9th-10th century.

Design and extent

Indo-Sasanian coins derive from three Sasanian prototypes, which were introduced in western India by the Alchon Huns, also called Hunas by the Indians.[1]

Western and northwestern regions

Indo-Sasanian coinage covers a period of several centuries, during which it is possible to see a progressive degradation and stylisation of the original Sasanian design, in ways which vary according to the region where they were current.[1] Typically, the bust of the king on the obverse is highly simplified and geometric, and the design of the fire altar, with or without the two attendants, appears as a geometrical motif on the reverse of this type of coinage.[1][3]

This coinage was current among the various polities of Western India succeeding the collapse of the Gupta Empire, such as the Rashtrakuta, Chaulukya and Palas from circa 530 CE to 1202 CE. In the case of the Chaulukyas, these are also often called "Gadhaiya Paise".[1]

  • Coin of the Gurjara Confederacy, on the model of the Sasanian coinage of Sindh. Sindh. Circa 570-712 CE
  • Indo-Sasanian, Sindh. Uncertain king. Mid 7th-early 8th century.
  • Indo-Sasanian coin, Rajputana. Imitating Peroz I. Circa 10th century.
  • A Chaulukya-Paramara coin, circa 950-1050 CE. Stylized rendition of Chavda dynasty coins: Indo-Sassanian style bust right; pellets and ornaments around / Stylised fire altar; pellets around.[4]
  • Indo-Sasanian coin of the Chaulukyas with geometrical royal effigy, circa 10th century CE

Gangetic region

Around the beginning of the 9th century, coin designs derived from the Sasanians were adopted in the Gangetic region: the Vigrahapala drammas of a certain ruler named Vigrahapala, and later the Adivaraha drammas of the Pratihara ruler Bhoja I (c. 836-886 CE).[5][6][7][2]

  • Vigrahapala Dramma (drawing): the profile of the ruler and the altar with attendants appear in a stylized manner. 9th century CE
  • Vigrahapala Drammas, 9th century CE.[5]
  • Adivaraha drammas: Gurjara-Pratihara coinage of Mihira Bhoja, King of Kanauj, 850-900 CE. Obv: Boar, incarnation of Vishnu, and solar symbol. Rev: "Traces of Sasanian type". Legend: Srímad Ādi Varāha "The fortunate primaeval boar".[8][2]
  • Adivaraha Dramma coin, circa 836 - 885 CE

See also

References
  1. Ray, Himanshu Prabha (2019). Negotiating Cultural Identity: Landscapes in Early Medieval South Asian History. Taylor & Francis. pp. 161–163. ISBN 9781000227932.
  2. Deyell, John. The Monetary Dimensions of the Vigrahapala and Adivaraha Dramma Coinage: an Exploratory Essay.
  3. "The Indo-Sassanian coins, also termed as Gadahiya and circulated from 600 to 1200 A.D., are found in good numbers from Ahmadahad, Banaskantha, Bhavanagar, Junagarh, Kaira, Kutch, Mehsana, of Gujarat." in The Journal of Academy of Indian Numismatics & Sigillography. Academy of Indian Numismatics & Sigillography. 1988. p. 145.
  4. Post-Gupta (Chaulukya-Paramara) coin, Classical Numismatic Group.
  5. Ray, Himanshu Prabha (2019). Negotiating Cultural Identity: Landscapes in Early Medieval South Asian History. Taylor & Francis. p. 164. ISBN 9781000227932.
  6. Sircar, D. C. (1996). Indian Epigraphy. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 429. ISBN 9788120811669.
  7. Gopal, Lallanji (1989). The Economic Life of Northern India, C. A.D. 700-1200. Motilal Banarsidass Publisher. p. 364. ISBN 9788120803022.
  8. Smith, Vincent Arthur; Edwardes, S. M. (Stephen Meredyth) (1924). The early history of India : from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan conquest, including the invasion of Alexander the Great. Oxford : Clarendon Press. p. Plate 2.
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