The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c13.s4.5

c13.s4.5

Kumāragupta’s Tiger-slayer type, which was once confused with his Lion-slayer type,² is artistically much superior to the latter. The attitude of the king is energetic and determined. The posture and expression of the goddess on the reverse is just like that of a modern lady of fashion feeding her pet. As the king is shown facing left, it was inevitable that he should be shown as drawing the bow by the left hand; whether the artist's intention was to show him as ambidextrous, it is difficult to say.