Jainism Early Faith of Ashoka

Author(s): Edward Thomas
Publisher: Trubner and Company London

Page 29

BACTRIAN COINS AND INDIAN DATES.
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approximately marked by the date of the death of Mahmúd of Ghazní, in an era that had not yet been superseded in the East by the Muhammadan Hijrah.
I conclude this paper with a reproduction of the unique coin of the Şaka King Heraüs, which, on more mature ex-' amination, has been found to throw unexpected light on the chief seat of Şaka-Scythian power, and to supply incidentally an approximate date, which may prove of considerable value in elucidating the contemporaneous history of the border lands of India.
I have recently had occasion to investigate the probable age of this piece by a comparison of its reverse device with the leading types of the Imperial Parthian mintages, with which it has much in common, and the deduction I arrived at, from the purely Numismatic aspect of the evidence, was
1 The era of Yezdegird commenced 16th June, 632 AD. The date on Mahmud's tomb iş 23rd Rabi' the second, A.H. 421 (30th April, A.D. 1030).
2 Alhírúní was naturally perplexed with the identities of Vikramaditya and Salivahana, and unable to reconcile the similarity of the acts attributed alike to one and the other. He concludes the passage quoted in note 2, p. 9, in the following terms :-"D'un autre côté, Vikramåditya, reçut le titre de şri (grand) à cause de l'honneur qu'il s'était acquis. Du reste, l'intervalle qui s'est écoulé entre l'ère de Vikramaditya et la mort de Saka, prouve que le vainqueur n'était pas le célèbre Vikramaditya, mais un autre prince du même nom."-Reinaud, p. 142.
Major Wilford, in like manner, while discussing the individualities of his “8 or 9 Vikramadityas," admitted that “the two periods of Vikramaditya and Salivahana are intimately connected, and the accounts we have of these two extraordinary personages are much confused, teeming with contradictions and absurdities to a surprising degree." As. Res., vol. ix. p. 117; see also vol. x. p. 93.
A passage lately brought to notice by Dr. Bühler throws new light upon this question, for, in addition to supplying chronological data of much importance in regard to the interval of 470 years which is said to have elapsed between the great Jaina Mahavira (the 24th Tirthankara) and the first Vikraindditya of B.C, 57, it teaches us that there were Şaka kings holding sway in India in B.C. 61-57, which indirectly confirms the epoch of the family of Heraus, and explains how both Vikramadityas, at intervals of 135 years, came to have Şaka enemies to encounter, and consequently equal alaims to titular Şakári honours.
“1. Palaka, the lord of Avanti, was anointed in that night in which the Arhat and Tirthankara Mahavíra entered Nirvana. 2. 60 are (the years of King Palaka, but 155 are (the years) of the Nandas; 108 those of the Mauryas, and 30 those of Púsamittà (Pushyamitra). 3. 60 (years) ruled Balamitra and Bhanumitra, 40 Nabhovahana. 13 years likewise (lasted) the role of Gardabhilla, and 4 are (the years) of Saka." -From the Prakrit Gáthás of Merutunga, etc.
« These verses, which are quoted in a very large number of Jaina commentaries and chronological works, but the origin of which is not clear, give the adjustment between the eras of Víra and Vikrama, and form the basis of the earlier Jaina chronology.”—Dr. Bühler, Indian Antiquary, vol. č. p. 363.