The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c13.s2: Swordsman Type
The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c13.s2
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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)