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The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c13: Chapter VIII: Gold Coinage of Kumāragupta I

The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c13

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Chapter VIII: Gold Coinage of Kumāragupta I

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The numismatic activity of the reign of Kumāragupta I was more intense and varied than that of Chandragupta II or Samudragupta. The mint-masters were anxious to show their skill by introducing more and more variations and types both in the gold and silver coinage. They revived the King-and-Queen type of Chandragupta I and the Tiger-slayer, the Aśvamedha and the Lyrist types of Samudragupta, which had been discontinued in the previous reigns. They continued the Archer, the Horseman, the Chhatra and the Lion-slayer types, which were very popular in the reign of Chandragupta II; new variations were, however, introduced in most of them. A number of quite new types were also introduced. The emperor was named after Kumāra, the commander-in-chief of gods. It is therefore natural that a new type should be introduced showing this deity on the reverse, the king on the obverse being represented as feeding peacock, the mount of the deity. In the field of war and sport several new types were introduced. The Swordsman type may perhaps show that the emperor claimed to be an expert swordsman. The Elephant-rider type probably refers to the emperor going out for sport. The Elephant-rider-and-lion-slayer type pictures a dramatic and critical moment in the lion hunt from the back of the elephant. The Rhinoceros-slayer type shows the emperor attacking the rhinoceros from the back of a horse. The rare *Apratigha* type is still a mystery. It shows the emperor standing with folded hands and being addressed by an agitated lady on the right and a general on the left. The gold types of Kumāragupta thus show an extraordinary and pleasing variety.

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In the case of the silver coinage also, the creative vein was active. Kumāragupta continued the old type of his father for the silver coinage intended for the western provinces of his empire. But he also introduced a new type of silver currency for the home provinces, which, while not altogether concealing its western origin, was yet sufficiently original.

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Only about half a dozen copper coins of Kumāragupta are so far known.¹ It appears that he gave up the experiment of copper coinage of his father as not worth the trouble. Cowries and barter system were quite sufficient for those transactions for which we use the copper currency in the modern age.

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¹ Excavations at Kumrahar near Patna, which led to the discovery of several copper coins of Chandragupta II, did not yield a single copper coin of Kumāragupta I.

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In the sphere of variety and originality, the coinage of Kumāragupta can very well match with that of Chandragupta II or Samudragupta. In artistic merit, however, it shows no uniform standard. His Horseman type is of high artistic merit; the goddess feeding peacock is also generally graceful both on the Tiger-slayer and the Kārtikeya types. The features of the three personages on the Apratigha type are very expressive. Many specimens of the Kārtikeya type are also quite good. The King-and-the-Queen, the Lyrist, the Rhinoceros-slayer, the Elephant-rider and the Elephant-rider-Lion-slayer types also reveal fine mastery in the numismatic art. First rate artists were summoned for the cutting of these rare dies.

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But one notices distinct deterioration in the Archer and the Lion-slayer types. The torso of the king on the former is often shown too much thrown back and his figure on the latter is not so vigorous and energetic as that of the king on the Lion-slayer type of Chandragupta II. On both these types the king's breasts are sometimes so prominent as to make him appear to be a female rather than a male. The horse on the Aśvamedha coins of Kumāragupta can bear no comparison to that on the Aśvamedha pieces of Samudragupta. It thus appears that the numismatic art had begun to show symptoms of decline in the regin of Kumāragupta I.¹ Possibly the troubles in the latter half of the reign were partly responsible for this phenomenon.

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¹ R.D. Banerji held the opposite view; he opined that with the reign of Kumāragupta I, the Gupta coinage reached the highest point of excellence and averred that the coins of this emperor were individual objects of art; *The Age of the Imperial Guptas*, p. 230. This view is but partly true, as shown above.

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We now proceed to describe the gold coinage of Kumāragupta I.

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The Archer type, which was most popular with Chandragupta II, was issued by Kumāragupta in large numbers. That surprising and pleasing variety, which we saw in the Archer type of Chandragupta II is, however, missing here. It appears that Kumāragupta’s mint-masters did not think worth their while to spend their ingenuity on this common and hackneyed type.

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The Archer type of Chandragupta II, Class I, showed the goddess on the reverse seated on the throne, as on the Kuṣāṇa prototype. This motif does not at all appear on the Archer type of Kumāragupta I; there the goddess is always seated on the lotus as in class II of Chandragupta II. On the obverse the king is standing to left, having an arrow in the right hand and bow in the left. The latter is held sometimes at the top and sometimes by the middle. Sometimes *Kumāra* is written under the left arm and sometimes the name is contracted into *Ku*. Sometimes there is neither *Kumāra* nor *Ku* at this place; the attribution of these coins becomes possible only on account of the *biruda* on the reverse.

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The classification of this type is not easy. Mr. Allan has adopted the legend as the principle of classification; but they are not always clear and distinct. We propose to classify the coins by the presence or absence of the term *Ku* or *Kumāra* on the obverse. Within these classes we shall distinguish the varieties by their legends.

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Class I (Pl. IX. 10-12.) consists of coins which have Kumāra under the left arm of the king. The legend is in prose, Mahārājādhirāja-śrī-Kumārguptaḥ (Pl. XXI. 19). Coins of this class are all issued to the standard of 124 grains.

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In Class II (Pl. IX. 13-14) the vertical legend Kumāra is engraved outside the bow which is held by the middle with the string outside. Here variety A shows the same legend as Class I, but in variety B, we have an undeciphered legend, beginning with Guṇeśo mahītalaṁ and probably ending with jayati Kumāraḥ ‘Prominent in merit, .....Kumāra conquers the world.’ The coins of both varieties are all issued to the standard of 121 grains.

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In Class III (Pl. X. 1-6), we have Ku under the arm of the king. In variety A, the legend is Vijitāvaniravanipatiḥ Kumāragupto divaṁ jayati (Pl. XXI. 20); ‘King Kumārgupta, who has conquered the earth, wins the heaven.’ In variety B, the legend is Jayati mahītalaṁ śrī-Kumārguptaḥ and in variety C, it is extended by adding the word sudhanvī¹ at the end; ‘The excellent archer, Kumārgupta conquers the earth.’ On one coin of this variety (Pl. X. 5), recently discovered, there is a beautiful conch on the reverse on the left side. The coins of all these three varieties are generally issued to the standard of 127 grains, though in variety A, we sometimes get some rare coins weighing 130 and 124 grains.

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¹ The grammatically correct from is sudhanvā, but the reading, where distinct, is clearly sudhanvī.

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In class IV, we have neither Ku nor Kumāra in the field. Here, in variety A, we have the legend, Paramarājādhirāja-śrī-Kumārguptaḥ (Pl. XXI. 22); ‘Kumārgupta, the great king of kings;’ and in variety B, Jayati mahītalaṁ śrī-Kumārguptaḥ. The standard of 127 grains prevails in this class.

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Kumārgupta II, great grandson of Kumārgupta I, also issued coins of the Archer type, which were once assigned to Kumārgupta I by Smith.² He, however, later on changed his views and assigned them to Kumāragupta II.¹ It is no doubt true that the coins of Kumāragupta II have also *Ku* under the left arm as those of Kumāragupta I; they also have a legend similar to that on classes I and IV of Kumāragupta I, viz. *Mahārājādhirāja-śrī-Kumāraguptaḥ* (Pl. XXI. 19). But their weight standard is that of 144 grains, which had not been adopted by Kumāragupta I. The reverse legend is also not *Mahendra* but *Kramāditya*. There can be no doubt that the Archer type with *Kramāditya* on the reverse was issued by Kumāragupta II and not by his great grand-father.

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² J.R.A.S., 1889, p. 99.

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¹ *J.R.A.S.*, 1893, p. 116.

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We now give a general description of the Archer type of Kumāragupta I.

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*Obv:* King standing to left, having arrow in r. hand and bow in the l. He is sometimes bare-headed, and sometimes he wears a diadem. In some cases he wears a coat and in others he is bare-bodied. The bow is sometimes held at the top with string inside and sometimes at the middle with string outside. There is Garuḍa standard behind the king's right hand. On some coins, *Kumāra* and on on others *Ku*, surmounted by a crescent, is engraved under the left arm of the king. On some coins, *Kumāra* is outside the string to right. On some, however, there is neither *Ku* nor *Kumāra*. Circular legends vary with different types and varieties, as already described above.

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*Rev:* Goddess Lakshmī seated on lotus usually with a noose in right hand and a lotus in left. Sometimes the r. hand is scattering coins or holding a flower. Except in rare cases, there is a symbol on the left. Legend on the right, *Śrīmahendraḥ*. (Pl. XXIV. 56).

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COINS ILLUSTRATED : 15

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(Kumāra under l. arm.)¹

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¹ B.M.C., G.D., Pl. XII. 7.

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(1) Gold; .85"; 123.9 grains; *B.H.*, XIX. 3. *Obv:* King wears a diadem over his profuse hair. He is bare-bodied and wears a *dhoti*. Kumāra under l. arm. Circular legend beginning at I, *Mahārājādhirāja-śrī-Kuma*. *Rev:* Lakshmī seated on lotus with noose in r. hand and lotus in l. Symbol on l. Legend, *Śrīmahendraḥ*. (Pl. IX. 10.)

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(2) Gold; .8"; 123.5 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XIX. 1. *Obv:* As above. King’s hand passes through the bow and the bow-string. Legend on l. truncated; on r. between king’s hand and Garuḍa *Gupta*, the last letter being only partly visible. *Rev:* As above, but the legs of the goddess are raised up and the hands rest on knees. (Pl. IX. 11.)

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(3) Gold; .85"; 123.8 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XIX. 4. *Obv:* As above. Legend on l. blurred; traces of *gupta* at VIII. *Rev:* As above. Legs of goddess are very much raised up. (Pl. IX. 12.)

Class II

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Variety A

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(Kumāra outside the bow-string and legend, *Mahārājādhirāja*, etc.)²

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² B.M.C., G. D., Pl. XII. 10-12; J.R.A.S., 1889, Pl. II. 11.

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(4) Gold; .8"; 120.7 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XIX. 6. *Obv:* The bow is held by the middle with bow-string outside. No diadem on the king’s head. Legend from I, *Mahārājādhirāja-[śrī-Kumāraguptaḥ]*.

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*Rev:* Lakshmi seated on lotus; her legs are very much raised up and her hands rest upon them. Symbol on the l. Legend on the right, *Śrīmahendraḥ*.

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(With the legend *Guṇeśo mahitalaṃ [jayati Kumāraḥ]*)?¹

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¹ *B.M.C., G.D.,* Pl. XII. 8-9; *J.R.A.S.,* 1889, Pl. III. 5.

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(5) Gold; .75"; 119.7 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XX. 4.

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*Obv:* As above; *Kumāra* outside the bowstring. Legend beginning at I, *Gaṇeśo-mahi* blurred, but clear on the original.

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*Rev:* Lakshmi seated on lotus; r. hand raised up and holding a noose off the flan and l. hand resting on knee and holding a lotus. Symbol on l.; legend on r., *Śrīmahendraḥ*, blurred. (Pl. IX. 14)

Class III

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(*Ku* under left arm.)

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Variety A

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(With the legend, *Vijitāvaniravanipatiḥ Kumāragupto divaṃ jayati*.)²

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(6) Gold; .8"; 126.² grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XX. 5.

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² *B.M.C., G.D.,* XII. 1-3; *J.A.S.B.,* 1884, Pl. III. 10; *J.R.A.S.,* 1889 Pl. II. 10.

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*Obv:* King standing to l., bare-headed and with profuse hair falling on back, wearing coat and *dhotī*. Bow held at the top with string inside. The staff of the Garuḍa-standard is worked on lathe. Under l. arm *Ku* with a crescent above. Legend from III, *jatavanaravana*, truncated; below the feet traces of *Kumāra*; on l. *gapta diva jaya*.

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*Rev:* Goddess Lakshmi seated on lotus. R. hand is bent and raised up, l. hand rests on knee. Symbol almost off the flan. Legend, *Śrīmahendraḥ*, blurred. (Pl. X. 1)

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*Obv:* As above. At III *Vajatavanarava*, at XI *ti*. Letter *va* is above the bow and the letter *ti* above Garuḍa. *Rev:* As above, but symbol complete. (Pl. X. 2)

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(With the legend *Jayati mahitalam śrī-Kumāraguptaḥ*)¹

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¹ B.M.C., G.D., Pl. IX. 4-5. J.R.A.S., 1889, p. 96.

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(8) Gold; .75"; 127.7 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XX. 13. *Obv:* King as in variety A, his torso is considerably bent back. *Ku* with crescent above under the l. arm. Legend on r. off the flan; on l. from IX, *śra-Kumara-gupta*, truncated. *Ret:* As above, but goddess is scattering gold coins by the r. hand. (Pl. X. 3)

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Variety C

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(With the legend *Jayati mahitalam śrī-Kumāraguptaḥ sudhanvi*)²

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² B.M.C., G.D., p. 63; N.Ch. 1891, Pl. II. 11.

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(9) Gold; .75"; 126 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XX. 8. *Obv:* King as above holding bow at the top. Circular legend from I, *Jayatamahata*; at X *dhanva*. *Rev:* Lakshmī holds a flower in r. hand, l. hand resting empty on thigh. No symbol. Legend, *Śrīmahendraḥ*. (Pl. X. 4)

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(10) Gold; .8"; 121.4 grains; obv. *B.H.*, Pl. XX. 11; rev. *J.N.S.I.*, Vol. XII., p. 124. *Obv:* As above. Legend from I, *Jayati mahitala*, above Garuḍa, at XI *nva*. *Rev:* R. hand of the goddess is bent up; a conch by its side; l. hand on thigh, holding lotus. Symbol on l. Legend, *Śrīmahendraḥ*. (Pl. X. 5)

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*Obv:* As above. From I *Jaya*, at X, *sudhanvi*. *Rev:* Goddess is scattering coins by right hand. (Pl. X. 6.)

Class IV

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(With neither *Ku* nor *Kumāra*)

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Variety A

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(*Paramarājādhirāja-śrī-Kumāraguptaḥ*)¹

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¹ B.M.C., G.D., Pl. XII. 6; J.R.A.S., 1893, Pl. III. 4.

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(12) Gold; .8"; 126.4 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXI. 1. *Obv:* King standing to l., bare-headed and wearing a buttoned coat and *dhoti*. Circular legend from I, *Paramarāja*, from VII *śra-Kumāragupta*, *gu* being above the king's r. hand and *pta* above Garuḍa. *Rev:* Lakshmi holds noose in r. hand and lotus in l. which is akimbo. Symbol on l. Legend on r. *Śrīmahendraḥ*. (Pl. X. 7.)

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(13) Gold; .8"; 125.8 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXI. 3. *Obv:* As above. Legend on l., *Paramarājādharaja-śrī-* blurred, on r., between VII and IX, *Kumaragu*, above Garuḍa, *pta*. *Rev:* As above, but the legs of the goddess are slightly raised. Legend *Śrīmahendraḥ*. (Pl. X. 8.)

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(14) Gold; .8"; 126.4 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XX. 14. *Obv:* As above. Buttons of the coat are apparently fixed on a strip. Legend on l., *Paramarājā*, truncated. *Rev:* Very neatly engraved. Noose is short. Symbol on l.; legend *Śramahendra*. (Pl. X. 9.)

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Variety B

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(*Jayati mahitalam śrī-Kumāraguptaḥ*)

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(15) Gold; .8"; 127.3 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXI. 5. *Obv:* King standing to l. etc. as above. Circular legend beginning at VIII, *Jayati mahatala śra-Kumāragupta*;

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śrī is above Garuḍa and Kamāra at III; traces only of Gupta being visible below the bow. Rev: Lakshmi seated on lotus, with flower in r. hand, bent up, and cornucopiæ in the l. resting on shoulder. Symbol on l., but at the centre not at the top. Legend, Śrīmahendraḥ.

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(Pl. X. 10)

Horseman Type

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The Horseman type of Kumāragupta I, is the most popular type of this emperor. The obverse is more or less the same as that of the Horseman type of his father; the king is riding a horse to right or left, sometimes with and sometimes without weapons. The reverse continues the motif of the goddess seated on a wicker-stool in some cases, but in others, it introduces another motif,—goddess feeding a peacock. It is interesting to note that each variety in this type has its own distinctive features in the direction of the horse, the types of its saddle-ornamentation, the weapons of the king, the legend on the obverse and the details of the motif on the reverse. Considerable attention must have been bestowed in determining these minute details of each variety.

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It will be convenient to divide the Horseman type according to the reverse motif, class I consisting of coins where the goddess is sitting alone on the reverse and class II of those pieces where she is feeding a peacock. In each class we shall distinguish several varieties according to the legend on the obverse.

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In Class I variety A (Pl. X. 11-12) the obverse legend is ‘Pṛthivītālambaraśaśi Kumāragupto jayatyajitaḥ’¹ (Pl. XXI. 23) ‘Invincible Kumāragupta, who is as it were the moon in the sky in the form of the earth's surface, is victorious'. The metre is Upagīti. The horse shows a uniform saddle-ornamentation consisting of circular stars on the haunch and the neck; the king bears no weapons. On the reverse the goddess is seated to left on a wicker-stool holding a flower in right hand, which displaces the symbol. The left hand rests empty on the waist.

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¹ This legend could be for the first time deciphered with the help of the specimens preserved in the Bayana hoard. B.M.C., G.D., Pl. XIII. 1 was a coin of this variety, but it was not preserved well enough to permit a successful decipherment.

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In variety B (Pl. X. 13), which is so far represented by a single specimen in the Bayana hoard, the king is riding to left with a bow in the right hand. The horse has no decorated saddle and the legend is *Jayati nṛipo'ribhirajitaḥ*, (Pl. XXI. 24); 'Victorious is the king who is never defeated by the enemies.' The goddess on the reverse is seated on a wicker-stool, but holds a noose in her right hand and a lotus in the left. There is no symbol.

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In variety C (Pl. X. 14-15; XI. 1), the horse faces right and has a different type of saddle-ornamentation. The king carries no arms and the circular legend is *Kṣitipatirajito vijayī Kumāragupto*¹ *divaṃ jayati*; (Pl. XXII. 25); 'The unconquered and victorious king Kumāragupta, wins the heaven.' The metre is Upagīti. The reverse is exactly like that of variety B. Sometimes however (Pl. X. 15), the folds of the noose appear like the neck of the peacock in class II, especially when only its upper part is preserved on the flan. In one case (Pl. XI. 1) the goddess on the reverse seems to be holding no noose in her right hand. We are, however, not certain as to whether the legend on this coin is the same as the one noted above; for it is blurred. It is also unlikely that the noose has been beaten out by a subsequent hammering on the reverse. This coin has also a symbol. Most likely, if more specimens are found of this type, they will be found to be constituting a variety distinct from variety C.

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¹ *B.M.C., G.D.*, p. 70, gives the reading of this legend as *mahendrasimha* instead of *Kumāragupta* as given by us. The specimens given in that catalogue on pl. XIII. 2 and 4, however, show the letter *gupta* fairly distinctly. *Mahendrasimha* can be read on no specimen.

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Coins of all the above varieties were generally issued to the standard of 127 grains.

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In class II, the goddess on the reverse is always feeding a peacock; she is never represented alone. We can distinguish four varieties in this class, as disclosed by the legends. In variety A, (Pl. XI. 2-5) the legend is ‘*Guptakulavyomaśaśi jayatyajeyo’jitamahendraḥ*,’ (Pl. XXII. 26); ‘The unconquered and invincible Mahendra, who is a moon in the sky of Gupta family, is victorious.’ The metre is Upagīti. In this variety, the king always faces right and carries a bow in the left hand, and the goddess on the reverse is seen offering to the peacock a bunch of grapes, in which fruits are more prominent than the twig to which they adhere. The reverse has no symbol. The coins are all issued to the 127 grains standard.

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In variety B (Pl. XI. 6-8), the king always faces to left and carries a bow in the right hand, and a sword hangs by his left side. The legend is ‘*Guptakulāmalachandro mahendrakarmājito jayati*’ (Pl. XXII. 28), ‘The spotless moon (in the firmament) of the Gupta family, the invincible hero, who is as valorous as Mahendra, is victorious.’ The metre is Upagīti. The reverse has the same motif as in variety A, but twigs are more prominent than grapes in the bunch, which the goddess offers to the peacock. The idea may be to show that the feeding is coming to an end. There is a symbol of rather unusual shape on the left in this variety, which is rather unusual in this type. Majority of the coins of this variety were issued to the standard of 127 grains, but about 20% pieces are seen to follow the lighter standard of 124 grains.

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The variety C of class II, (Pl. XI. 9-10) closely resembles the variety C of Class I. (Pl. X. 14-5; XI. 1). In both varieties on the obverse the horse faces right and the king carries no weapons. The legend on both begins with the same words, but there is a slight change at the end; for the legend on the present variety reads ‘*Kshitipatirajito vijayī Kumāragupto* jayatyajitah,’ (and not Kumāragupto divam jayati¹ (Pl. XXII. 27); ‘The invincible and victorious king Kumāragupta carries the day, being undefeated.’ The metre is Upagīti. The reverse shows the goddess feeding peacock, but there are hardly any grapes attached to the twig in her hand; they are all apparently already eaten by the pet. There is no symbol on the reverse.

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¹ In B.M.C., G.D., p. 71, Mr. Allan had assumed this legend to be identical with that on variety C of class I, but some specimens in the Bayana hoard distinctly show that the concluding words are jayatyaji. (Pl. XI. 10). On the only coin in the B.M.C., G.D., where the concluding letters are clear, Pl. XIII. 10, they appear to be gupto jaya; B.M.C., G.D., Class I variety D, (p. 155), which is not illustrated, is probably a coin of this variety.

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In variety D (Pl. XI. 11-13), the king rides to right, holding bow in the left hand. Here the circular legend, which begins at VII, is ‘Prithivitaleśvarendraḥ Kumāragupto jayatyajitah,’ (Pl. XXII. 29); ‘Invincible Kumāragupta, a veritable Indra on the surface of the earth, conquers (the enemy).’ The metre is Upagīti. On the reverse of this type there is a symbol. The goddess has only three or four grapes in her hand and not a bunch or twig of them. It therefore became possible to accommodate the symbol in the upper left corner. In varieties C and D, the weight-standard of 127 grains is followed.

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We shall now give a general description of the Horseman type.

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*Obv:* King, usually nimbate, wearing coat and trousers, riding caparisoned horse to right or left, usually holding bow in the right or left hand, sword sometimes hanging by his side; in some cases he has no weapons. The saddle of the horse often shows artistic decorations. Legends vary with each variety, and have been given above already.

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*Rev:* In Class I, Lakshmī seated on wicker-stool to left, holding a flower or noose in right hand and a lotus in left. In some cases the latter is empty. Usually no symbol. Legend on right, *Ajitamahendraḥ*.

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In class II, Goddess seated as above, feeding by her right hand a peacock with a bunch of grapes and holding in the left a lotus with long stalk. Usually no symbol. Legend on right, *Ajitamahendraḥ*.

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COINS ILLUSTRATED : 18

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(Goddess without peacock)

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Variety A¹

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¹ B.M.C., G.D., Pl. XIII. 1; I.M.C., Vol. I, p. 113, No. 21.

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(*Pṛthivītālambaraśaśi Kumāragupto jayatyajitaḥ*)²

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² Smith's view that on some coins of this type the legend is *Parama-bhāgavatamahārājādhirāja-śrī-Mahendraguptaḥ* (J.R.A.S., 1889, p. 100) is not correct. The legend has now become quite certain owing to the new specimens in the Bayana hoard.

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(1) Gold; .8"; 126.5 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXII. 4.

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*Obv:* King bare-headed riding to r., without any weapons. Hair of the horse is pleated and there are beautiful circular ornaments in the saddle on the haunch and the neck; these are peculiarities of this variety. King's buttoned coat is graceful. Legend at II, *Pṛthi*, from III, *vitālambaraśaśa*, all blurred; between horse's feet, *Kuma*, at IX, *pto jayatyajita*.

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*Rev:* Goddess seated on a wicker-stool, holding lotus flower with long stalk and leaves in the r. hand.; l. hand resting empty on the hip. Her hair is tied in a knot behind the head. No symbol; legend *Ajitamahendraḥ*.

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(Pl. X. 11)

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(2) Gold; .8"; 127.3 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXII. 1.

c13.s1.30

*Obv:* As above; legend from I, *Pṛthivītālambaraśa* quite clear.

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*Rev:* As above. *Ajitamahendra*.

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(Pl. X. 12)

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*(Jayati nṛiporibhirajitaḥ)*

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(3) Gold; .75"; 125.5 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXII. 7.

c13.s1.35

*Obv:* King riding to l., legend from I, *Jayata nṛiporibharajitaḥ*.

c13.s1.36

*Rev:* Goddess seated to l. on wicker-stool with noose in r. hand and lotus in l. resting on waist. No symbol. Legend, *Ajatamahendraḥ*.

c13.s1.37

(Pl. X. 13)

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Variety C

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*(Kṣitipatirajito vijayī Kumāragupto divaṃ jayati)*¹

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¹ *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XIII. 2-5; *J.A.S.B.*, 1884, i, p. 193, Pl. III. 12; *J.R.A.S.*, 1889, Pl. II. 13.

c13.s1.41

(4) Gold; .8"; 127 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXII. 8.

c13.s1.42

*Obv:* King, bare-headed and wearing coat and probably trousers, riding to r., without weapons; profuse hair on king's head. Saddle remarkable for its beaded ornamentation. Legend, above horse's head *Kṣa*, between his mouth and legs, *tapatara*, between horse's legs, traces of *tava*, from VIII, *maragupta dava jayati*.

c13.s1.43

*Rev:* As in variety B. Legend, *Ajatamahandra*.

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(Pl. X. 14)

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(5) Gold; .8"; 127.² grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXV. 10.

c13.s1.46

*Obv:* As above. The coat has an open collar. Legend at I, *Kṣatipata*, from IX, *gupta dava jayati*.

c13.s1.47

*Rev:* Goddess as above, but the folds of the noose look like the neck of the peacock.² Legend, *Ajatamahandraḥ*.

c13.s1.48

² On some other coins also of this type in the Bayana hoard, a portion of the fold of the noose look like the neck of the peacock. If, however, we assume that this coin has a peacock on the reverse, it will belong to variety C of class II. But there the legend ends with *jayatyajitaḥ* and not with *gupto divaṃ jayati*, as on the present coin. The twig of the grape on that variety will have to be regarded as missing on this coin. On the whole it is best to assume that the fold of the noose looks here like the neck of a peacock partially visible.

c13.s1.49

(Pl. X. 15)

c13.s1.50

*Obv:* As above. Legend, *Kshatapatara*; legend on the left is altogether blurred. *Rev:* Goddess seated to l. on a wicker-stool; noose hammered out (?). Symbol on the l. Legend, *Ajitamahendra*.¹

c13.s1.51

¹ The inclusion of this coin in this variety is not quite certain. It may constitute a new variety with a different legend. See *supra*, p. 175.

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(Pl. XI. 1)

Class II

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(Goddess feeding peacock)

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Variety A

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(*Guptakulavyomaśaśi jayatyajeyojitamahendraḥ*)²

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² *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XIII, 11-15; *J.A.S.B.*, 1852, Pl. XII. 8.; *J.R.A.S.*, 1893, Pl. III. 6; *N.Ch.*, 1910, Pl. XIV. 7.

c13.s1.t1.5

(7) Gold; .8"; 125.8 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXIII. 11. *Obv:* King bare-headed and with wig-like hair, riding to r., wearing coat and trousers; mane of the horse is pleated. Legend from I, *Guptakulavyamaśaśa jayatya*. The last letter is between the legs of the horse. *Rev:* Goddess seated on a wicker stool, holding lotus with long stalk in l. hand resting on waist, and feeding the peacock by a bunch of grapes held in r. hand. Grapes are more prominent than the twigs to which they adhere. No symbol. Legend, *Ajitamahendra*.

c13.s1.t1.6

(Pl. XI. 2)

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(8) Gold; .8"; 126.6 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXIII. 4. *Obv:* As above. Legend from I, *Gupta....śaśa..tya* (at VI). *ya jitamahandra*. *Rev:* As above.

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(Pl. XI. 3)

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(9) Gold; .8"; 125.6 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXIII. 5. *Obv:* As above. Legend from I, *Gupta..vamaśaśa* (from V) *jayatyaja* (from IX), *jatamahendra*.

c13.s1.t1.10

(10) Gold; .85"; 127 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXIII. 7.

c13.s1.t1.11

*Obv:* As above. Legend, *Guptakula..śaśa jayatya.ya jita-mahendra.* Notice the peculiar manner in which the king's hair is dressed.

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*Rev:* As above. Notice how the peacock's head is thrust between the twigs of the bunch, one of them being behind and two in front. (Pl. XI. 5)

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Variety B

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(*Guptakulāmalachandro mahendrakarma'jito jayati*)¹

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¹ B.M.C., *G.D.*, Pl. XIII, 16-19; *J.A.S.B.*, 1884, i, Pl. III. 13; *J.R.A.S.*, 1889, p. 104, Pl. II. 14.

c13.s1.t1.16

(11) Gold; .8"; 126.8 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXIV. 3.

c13.s1.t1.17

*Obv:* King, bare-headed, riding to l., holding bow in r. hand, sword hanging by l. side. Legend from I, *Guptakula....*, from VI, *mahendra.. jata jayata.*

c13.s1.t1.18

*Rev:* Goddess with beautiful torso, seated on wicker-stool, l. hand resting on waist and holding a lotus with long stalk, r. hand holding a bunch of grapes to feed the peacock in her front. Notice how most of the grapes are eaten and twigs are therefore prominent. Symbol on the l. Legend, *Ajitamahendraḥ* in bold characters. (Pl. XI. 6)

c13.s1.t1.19

(12) Gold; .85"; 124.4 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXIV. 4.

c13.s1.t1.20

*Obv:* As above. Legend, from I to V, *Guptakulāmala(cha)-ndra*, (at VI) *mahendrakarmajata jayati.*

c13.s1.t1.21

*Rev:* As above. (Pl. XI. 7)

c13.s1.t1.22

(13) Gold; .85"; 126.8 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXIV. 5.

c13.s1.t1.23

*Obv:* As above. Legend, *Guptakulamalachandra*, (the last letter being between the two hind legs), (from VI), *mahendrakarmajito jayati*.

c13.s1.t1.24

(Pl. XI. 8)

c13.s1.t1.25

(*Kshitipatirajito vijayī Kumāragupto jayatyajitah*)¹

c13.s1.t1.26

¹ B.M.C., G.D., Pl. XIII. 6-9. For the correct reading of the concluding portion of the legend, see pp. 176-7.

c13.s1.t1.27

(14) Gold; .8"; 126.3 grains; Pl. XXIV. 1. *Obv:* King, bare-headed, riding to r., having no weapons, sash flying behind. Legend, *Kshitipatirajato*, traces of *vijayī* below the horse's hoof. *Rev:* Goddess, as on variety B, but she has only twig with one fruit adhering to it in her r. hand. No symbol. Legend, *Ajitamahendra*. (Pl. XI. 9)

c13.s1.t1.28

(15) Gold; .85"; 126.4 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXV. 3. *Obv:* As above. Legend at I, *Kshi*, at VIII, *gupta jayatyaji(tah)*. *Rev:* As above. (Pl. XI. 10)

c13.s1.t1.29

Variety D

c13.s1.t1.30

(*Prithivitaleśvarendraḥ Kumāragupto jayatyajitah*)

c13.s1.t1.31

(16) Gold; .8"; 125.7 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXV. 11. *Obv:* King bare-headed, riding to l. carrying bow in l. hand. Legend, beginning at VII, *Prithivitaleśvarendra Ku*. *Rev:* As in variety C, but the goddess has two fruits and no bunch in her r. hand. Lotus in l. hand. Symbol on l. Legend truncated. (Pl. XI. 11)

c13.s1.t1.32

(17) Gold; .85"; 126.6 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXV. 14. *Obv:* Notice the pleating of the mane of the horse and the button line of the king's coat. Legend beginning at VII, *Prithivitaleśvarendra Kuma*, on r., *ragupta jaya*.

c13.s1.t1.33

*Rev:* As above. The lotus in the hand of the goddess is treated as a cornucopiæ.

c13.s1.t1.34

(18) Gold; .8"; 125.8 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXV. 15. *Obv:* As above. Legend at VII, *Prithavitaleśvarendra Kuma*, on r., *ragupta dava jayata*, truncated. *Rev:* As above. (Pl. XI. 13)

Swordsman Type

c13.s2.1

The Swordsman type is an innovation of the mint-masters of Kumāragupta. Only six coins of this type were known till the discovery of the Bayana hoard, which contained ten specimens. Two coins of this type were found in the bed of the Ganges at Patna. The find spots of the remaining coins are not known.

c13.s2.2

The Swordsman type represents a modification of the Standard type of Samudragupta. The king is here also offering incense at the altar in his front, but his dress now betrays no traces of foreign influence. Garuḍa standard is retained, but the Standard in the king's l. hand has been dispensed with; instead, we find the king resting his left hand on the hilt of the sword. The coins of this type are remarkable for their artistic grace.

c13.s2.3

The obverse legend is almost the same as that on the Chhatra type of Chandragupta II, the word *kshiti* being-substitiuted for its synonym *gā*. The obverse of both these types has the same motif, viz., the king offering incense on an altar, but in the Swordsman type, there is no umbrella-bearer behind.

c13.s2.4

The reverse of this type is exactly similar to that of the Archer type, class I; both types were probably issued early in the reign.

c13.s2.5

The name of Kumāragupta appears without any regal title whatsoever in the legends on both the obverse and reverse.

c13.s2.6

This would show that we cannot draw positive and definite conclusions from the absence of regal titles on any particular type. On the obverse legend of the present type, the regal title is omitted probably owing to metrical exigencies. The reverse legend was traditionally small; hence the absence of titles or the presence of only short ones like *rājā* in *Rājā Samudraguptaḥ* on the Tiger-slayer type of Samudragupta.

c13.s2.7

Some specimens of this type are issued to the weight standard of 127 grains and some to that of 124 grains.

c13.s2.8

We now describe the type below.¹

c13.s2.9

¹ B.M.C., G.D., Pl. XII. 15-8; *J.A.S.B.*, 1884, Pl. III. 9; *J.R.A.S.*, 1889, Pl. II. 9; *I.M.C.*, I, Pl. XVI. 2; *N.Chr.*, 1891, Pl. II. 10.

c13.s2.10

*Obv:* King nimbate, standing to r. wearing head-dress with crest jewel, necklace, armlets, etc., offering incense on the altar before him by r. hand; l. hand resting on the hilt of the sword hanging below the waist. Garuḍa standard in front of the king. The letter *Ku* under a crescent by the side of the sword. Circular legend, commencing at I, ‘*Gāmavajitya sucharitaiḥ Kumāragupto divaṃ jayati*’ (Pl. XXII. 34), ‘Having conquered the earth, Kumāragupta wins the heaven (also) by his meritorious acts.’ Metre, Upagīti.

c13.s2.11

*Rev:* Goddess Lakshmī seated to front on a lotus, holding a noose in r. hand and a lotus with a long stalk in the l., resting on waist. Symbol on the left. Legend, *Śrī-Kumāraguptaḥ* (Pl. XXIV. 61).

c13.s2.12

COINS ILLUSTRATED : 2

c13.s2.13

(1) Gold; .85"; 125.9 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXI. 6.

c13.s2.14

*Obv:* As in the general description given above. Armlets, necklace and crest jewel are all distinct and graceful. Altar is just visible; right hand is open and emptied out, but the objects offered are not to be seen. King's 1. hand rests on the hilt of the sword. Legend, beginning at I, *Gāmavajatya sucharita Kumāragu*. *Rev:* As in general description above. Legend, *Śrī-Kumāra-guptaḥ*. (Pl. XI. 14)

c13.s2.15

(2) Gold; .8" ; 125.3; *B.H.*, Pl. XXI. 15. *Obv:* *Gāmavajatya sucha.* ... ...*gupta dava ja.ti*; last letter is at XI. *Rev:* As above. Noose almost off the flan. Legend in bold characters, *Śra Kumāragupta*. (Pl. XI. 15)

Lion-Slayer Type

c13.s3.1

The Lion-slayer type of Chandragupta II was continued by his son Kumāragupta I, but it does show neither the striking variety nor high artistic merit, which is the characteristic of the coins of this type issued by the father. The king generally faces to right; on only one coin discovered in the Bayana hoard, we find him facing left. That pleasing and interesting variety, which we saw on the reverse of this type of Chandragupta II, is altogether absent here; the mount of the goddess is always couchant; it is never walking. The goddess also is invariably seated facing, with one leg folded up and the other hanging down; she does not sit astride the lion, nor does she face to right or left. The legends are usually indistinct; only in two varieties we have succeeded in deciphering them. Neither the body of the king nor that of the lion shows any artistic beauty. There is thus a distinct artistic deterioration in this type. It must be, however, added that the reclining posture of the goddess in variety A of class I (Pl. XII. 1) is graceful.

c13.s3.2

This type is similar to that of Chandragupta's Lion-slayer type, and so no general description is necessary. Coins were generally issued to the weight standard of 127 grains, but about 15% coins follow 124 grains standard. One coin, however, weighs as high as 131 grains.

c13.s3.3

The coins of this type can be divided into two classes, Lion-combatant and Lion-trampling. The Lion-retreating class, which we had seen in the Lion-slayer type of Chandragupta II, is absent in this reign; nor do we find the king attacking the beast with the sword, as Chandragupta II is shown to be doing on one specimen.

c13.s3.4

It will be convenient to divide the coins of each class into different varieties according to their legends.

c13.s3.5

(LION-COMBATANT)

c13.s3.6

In variety A of class I (Pl. XII. 1), the legend begins with *Kshitipati*, but cannot be yet completed. Such traces, as can be seen, seem to show that the legend was ‘*Kshitipatirajitamahendraḥ Kumāragupto divaṃ jayati*’ (Pl. XXII. 32); ‘Kumāragupta, unconquered Mahendra, being (already) the lord of earth, wins heaven.’ The metre is Upagīti. The goddess on the reverse is in a beautiful *tribhaṅga* pose, reclining on her left arm and holding a lotus in the right. There is no symbol.

c13.s3.7

In variety B (Pl. XII. 2), the legend cannot be so far completed; it begins with *Kumāra*. Mr. Allan has restored it as *Kumāragupto vijayī siṃhamahendro divaṃ jayati*; ‘The victorious Kumāragupta, lion-like Mahendra, wins the heaven.’ There are, however, hardly any letters visible after the word *Kumāra* either on the coin illustrated by Mr. Allan (*B. M. C., G. D.*, Pl. XIV. 9), or on the other coins of this type discovered in the Bayana hoard. Mr. Allan’s reading of the legend must be regarded as conjectural. The right hand of the goddess on the reverse is open and empty in this variety and the left one is bent up, holding a lotus. There is a symbol on the left.

c13.s3.8

In variety C (Pl. XII. 3-4), the legend is ‘*Kumāragupto yudhi siṃhavikramaḥ*’ (Pl. XXII. 31); ‘Kumāragupta, who is as valorous as lion in the battle.’ The metre is *Vaṃsthavila*. On the reverse, the goddess is seen scattering gold coins by right hand and holding a lotus in the left. There is a symbol on the left.

c13.s3.9

In variety D (Pl. XII. 5), the legend is too indistinct to be deciphered; the king is to right and the object in the right hand of the goddess is indistinct.

c13.s3.10

(Lion-trampler)

c13.s3.11

In clsss II the king is trampling upon the lion. In variety A (Pl. XII. 6-8), the legend is ‘Sākshādiva narasimho simhamahendro jayatyaniśam’ (Pl. XXII. 30); ‘Narasimha as it were incarnate, the lion-like Mahendra, is ever victorious.’ The metre is Upagīti. In variety B (Pl. XII. 9-10), the legend begins with Kumāra, but cannot be so far completed. The goddess on the reverse holds a curions garland in the r. hand and a lotus in the left. The symbol of this variety is also peculiar. This variety first came to light in 1925.

c13.s3.12

CLASS I

c13.s3.13

(Lion-combatant)

c13.s3.14

Variety A

c13.s3.15

(Legend beginning with Kshitipati)¹

c13.s3.16

¹ B.M.C., G.D., Pl. XIV, 6-8; I.M.C., I, Pl. XVI. 6.

c13.s3.17

(1) Gold; .75"; 126.5 grains; B.H., Pl. XXVIII. 9.

c13.s3.18

*Obv:* King not nimbate, standing to r., wearing diadem, sash, jānghiā, necklace, earrings, wristlets and armlets shooting at lion in his front; arrow visible above the arm. Circular legend, beginning at I, Kshatapa(ti).

c13.s3.19

*Rev:* Goddess seated on lion couchant to r., reclining on arm resting on waist and holding lotus stalk with leaves in outstretched r. hand. No symbol; legend on r., Śrīmahendrasimhaḥ.

c13.s3.20

(Pl. XII. 1)

c13.s3.21

(Legend beginning with Kumāra)¹

c13.s3.22

¹ *B.M.C., G.D.*, Pl. XIV. 9.

c13.s3.23

(2) Gold; .8"; 127.4 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXVIII. 11. *Obv:* King as above. Circular legend beginning at I, *Kumāra*. *Rev:* Goddess seated as above, but l. hand, bent up, holds a flower with long stalk; r. hand opened out and empty. Symbol in the l. corner. Legend, *Saṅha-mahendra*. (Pl. XII. 2)

c13.s3.24

Variety C² (Legend, *Kumāragupto yudhi siṅhavikramaḥ*)³

c13.s3.25

² *B.M.C.,G.D.*, Pl. XIV, 10-14; *I.M.C.*, I., Pl. XVI. 5.

c13.s3.26

³ There is a difference in the spelling of the last word; sometimes we have *siṅha*, and sometimes *siṅha*, sometimes *vikrama* and sometimes *vikkrama*.

c13.s3.27

(3) Gold; .8"; 125.9 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXVIII. 7. *Obv:* King standing to r., as above. Legend, beginning at VII, ..*ragupto yudha*, at I, *saṅhavikrama*. Traces of the lower portion of *ku* and *ma* can be seen at VII; *sa* is between the top of the bow and the head of the king. *Rev:* Goddess as above, but holding lotus with long stalk in l. hand resting on thigh, and scattering coins by r., which is opened out. Symbol on l. Legend, *Siṅhamahendra* blurred. (Pl. XII. 3)

c13.s3.28

(4) Gold; .8"; 123.8 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXVIII. 5. *Obv:* As above. King’s torso graceful. Legend on l. off the flan; on r. *yudha saṅhavikra*. Reading of the legend is slightly doubtful. The first letter at I can be taken as *yu* only if we suppose that its left limb is off the flan. and the medial *mātrā* of *yu* is shown differently. The next three letters *dhasaṅha* are fairly clear. *Rev:* As above, but lotus stalk is twisted at the centre. (Pl. XII. 4)

c13.s3.29

(King to r. and lion to l.)

c13.s3.30

(5) Gold; .85"; 126 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXVIII. 13. *Obv:* King standing and facing left, with frizzled hair, wearing a beautiful coat with short sleeves, half-pant and sash and shooting arrow at lion in his front. Legend is blurred and illegible. *Rev:* Goddess seated on lion couchant to l. holding lotus with long stalk in l. hand resting on waist and some indistinct object in r. hand bent up. Symbol at IX. Legend, *Śrāmahendrasiṅha*. (Pl. XII. 6)

c13.s3.31

CLASS II

c13.s3.32

(Lion-trampler)

c13.s3.33

Variety A

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