Chronology of Gujarat

SR No.: 006799
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: M R Majumdar
Publisher: Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
Publication Year: 1960
Total Pages: 494
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 10 MB

Page 100

CHRONOLOGY OF GUJARAT
times. In the time of Agatharcides, (B. C. 177-100 ) there were so many Arabs on the Malabar coast that the people had adopted the Arab religion. The Arabs were mostly Sabians at that time. It may, therefore, be safely presumed that Arab settlements existed in Gujarat parallel with this. (Reinaud's Abul Fida CCCL.---XXXIV; Vincent's Periplus 154 ; Bom. Gaz., Vol. IX, pt. Il ,p. 1, ff. 1.).
III
ANTIQUITIES The coins of Eukratides have been found in different parts of Saurāşțra and at different times, suggesting that they were the currency of the province, and may be, were imported either for trade or for ornament.
These silver coins were very small, weighing five to seven grams, and bear the Buddhist symbols of the svastika, the triśūla and the cakra. Another small variety of coins, weighing four grams, with a misshapen elephant on the obverse and something like a circle on the reverse, were found from Gondal and Junagadh.-(Bom. Gaz., I, p. 17, fn.)
The coins of Menander were discovered from near Broach and from Junagadh. The silver Drachmae of Apollodotus and two varieties of his copper-coins were found in Gujarat. The author of the Periplus' (A.D. 240 ) writes: "Upto the present day, old drachmae bearing the Greek inscriptions of Apollodotus and Menander are current in Barygaza (Broach)."-(Bom. Gaz. I, p. 17).
The silver coins are of only one variety, round drachmae. The obverse of Menander's coins has in the middle a helmeted bust of the king and round it the Greek legend :
Of the King, the Saviour Menander'. On the reverse is the figure of Athene Promochos, surrounded by the Bactro-Pāli legend : Mahārājasa Tradatasa Menandrasa .
The silver drachmae of Apollodotus have on the obverse a diademed bust surrounded by the Greek legend (Basileos Apollodotou Soteros, meaning, 'of King Apollodotus, the Saviour'). The reverse bears the figure of the Goddess Pallas hurling thunderbolt and the Kharoşthi legend : Mahārājasa Trataras Apaladalasa, of the great king Apaladata, the Saviour. (PMC. pl., IV, 263, 276).
The copper coins of Apollodotus (found from Junagadh ) are of two varieties : square and round. The square coins, have on the obverse the standing Apollo facing, holding arrow and bow in right hand and the Greek legend around : Basileos Soteros Kai philopatoros Apollodotou : meaning: Of King Apollodotus the Saviour and Father-lover. The round coins are similar to the square coins, but they have the legend : Basileos Appollodotou Soteros on the reverse ; and the Kharoşthi legend Mahārājas Tratarasa Apaladatasa on the reverse (PMC V, 322). On the reverse is the tripod of Appollo with two monograms and the Kharoşthi legend Mahārājasa Tratarasa Apaladatasa. (Bom. Gaz. I., p. 18).
The coins of Eukratides bear on the obverse the bust of the king, diademed and with helmet adorned with ear and horn of bull and crest, surrounded by an inscription in Greek characters, which runs as follows: Basileos Megaloy Eukretidoy, meaning of king