Indian Antiquary Vol 21

SR No.: 032513
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 430
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 370

TE: IN AN ANTIQLARY.
NOVEMBER, 1848.
Ihr worst "Lulls" should be "balls," and the statent that "No. 28 . . . . is of six different sizes, weighing respectively 107, 76, 26, and 11 rains," requires amendment.
The account of the coins of Taxila, illustrated by two entire plates, is valuable. A series of rare inscribed coins found only at that place (now Shih ki dhêri in the Rawalpindi District) bears the legend négama (or, in one instance, nigama) in Indian characters of the Aśôka period. On some coins the word is written nekama in Gandbarian (i.e. Arian, or Kharðshtri) letters. Sir A. Cunningham wishes to interpret this word as the name of a coin, comparing it with the Greek vócopa, but this suggestion does not seein to be correct
The word négama (i.e. naigamdh), occurs in the Bhattiprôlu Stúpa inscription lately discovered by Mr. Rea in the Kistna (Krishna) District, Madras, and is interpreted by Dr. Bühler (Academy for 28th May 1892, page 522) to mean " members of a guild." That inscription appears to belong to the age of Asoka, or a time very little later, and the word négama, (nigama, or nékama) on the coins, which seem to date from the same period, should, in the absence of good reason to the contrary, be interpreted in the same way. The word négama (including the variant spellings) on the coins is associated with an unmistakable figure of a steelyard balance, and also with the words dojaka, ralimata, and antarőtaka, of which the meaning seems to be at present unknown. Sir A. Cunningham's etymological speculations concerning these legends do not command assent.
The very rare coins bearing the legend Odumbara or Odumbarisa, which have been found only in the Kångrå District, have already been noticed in the Archæological Reports (Vol. V. p. 154, and XIV. p. 116.). Only two silver pieces are known, and the number of copper specimens is variously stated by the author in the same paragraph as five and seven. The silver pieces give the name of Raj& Dhara Ghosha in Pali and Kharðshtri characters. One of these coins is in the Lahore Museum, and was found in company with Kuninda coins and hemidrachms of Apollodotus, who reigned about B. C. 100.
The coins of Amoghabhati, king of Kuninda, have been frequently published, but only five specimens of the Siva type are known. The name Kuninda was first correctly read by Sir A. Cunningham many years ago. The late Mr. Thomas committed himself at one time to very rash speculations about the interpretation of the legend of these coins.
The local coins of the ancient city Kosambi, near Allahabad, appear to comprise the issues of at least four princes, namely, Bahaaata Mitra, Aśva Ghosha, Jộtha Mitra, and Dhana Dêra. The connection of the first named ruler with Kösâmbi is proved by the occurrence of an inscription of his in the neighbourhood. The coin legends do not include the name of the town, and I presume that the proof of the connection between Koså mbi and the other three rulers named rests chiefly on unpublished evidence as to the find spots of their coins. Coins of Dhana Dêva are recorded to have been found at Ayodhyà (Arch. Reports, Vol. I. p. 319). His coins are stated to be very numerous.
Plate vi. is devoted to the illustration of coins ascribed to the Yaudhêya tribe, now represented by the Johiyas along the Satlaj River and in the Salt Range. The coins numbered 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 13, of the Plate include the name Yaudhôya in their legends. I cannot perceive any reason for ascribing the single-die coin No. 1 with common Buddhist symbols to the Yaudhêyas, and the same remark applies to the broken coin No. 5, but the ascription of the remaining pieces (with the doubtful exception of No. 14), is satisfactorily established. The small copper coins, in two sizes, Nos. 2, 3 and 4, have on the obverse a humped bull to right, approaching a Bodhi tree with railing, with the legend Yaudhéyand (or-ni), and on the reverse an elephant walking to right, with Buddhist symbols. This class of small copper coins is believed to date from about the first century B. O. I would name it the Bull and Elephant Type. Figures 6, 7, and 8 represent large copper coins, with a mean weight of 172 grains, which form a totally distinct class, copied from the Indo-Scythian money, and apparently later in date than A. D. 300. The obverse shows an armed figure standing to front, with spear in right hand, and left hand on hip, cock in field to right. Tegend in old Någarf characters : Yaudhéya ganasya jaya. In one instance the word dvi, and, in another, the word tri follows jaya. The reverse is occupied by a standing male figure and sundry symbols.
This type may be called the Javelin Type, which name has been generally accepted for the corresponding class of Gupta coins. The legend shows that these coins are those of the Yaudhêya tribe or clan.
Figure 9 represents a silver coin, apparently the only one known in that metal, which belonge to a third completely distinct type. The author remarks that this piece and certain related copper coins (Nos. 10, 11, 12, 13) " are, perhaps, of a