The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c13.s5: Elephant-Rider Type
The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c13.s5
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Elephant-Rider Type
c13.s5.1
The first coin of this type was found at Mahānada in Bengal along with an Archer-type coin of Kumāragupta I¹ and another Archer-type coin of Skandagupta. Mr. Allan therefore had tentatively ascribed it to Kumāragupta I and his conjecture was later corroborated by the discovery of three more coins of this type in the Bayana hoard, where the king's name and *biruda* could be clearly read.
c13.s5.2
¹ B.M.C., G.D., p. 88.
c13.s5.3
The Elephant-rider type is probably connected with sport. Its obverse shows the king riding on an elephant, which is furiously marching to left. The king himself is the elephant-driver, for he has the goad in his hand. Behind him is the umbrella-bearer, holding an umbrella over the king's head. There is Lakshmī standing on lotus on the reverse, a conch being in the field.
c13.s5.4
The general description of the type is as follows:—
c13.s5.5
*Obv:* King bare-headed with diadem, wearing necklace, earrings, armlets and wristlets, riding a caparisoned elephant, furiously marching to left, holding goad in right hand, l. hand resting on waist. Behind the king is a seated attendant holding an umbrella over his head. Circular legend uncertain, but most probably, *Kshataripu-Kumāragupto rājatrātā jayati ripūn* (Pl. XXIII. 40); ‘Kumāragupta, who has destroyed his enemies and protects (feudatory) kings, is victorious over his foes.’ Metre, Upagīti.
c13.s5.6
*Rev:* Within dotted border, Lakshmī, nimbate, standing on a lotus, facing, wearing earrings, necklace, bangles, anklets, *sārī*, a flat head-dress and an upper garment whose ends fall on either side. Her right hand is bent up and holds a lotus creeper with buds and flowers; l. hand rests on waist holding a cornucopiæ. No symbol; conch in lower right corner. Legend on right, *Śrīmahendragajaḥ* (Pl. XXIV. 67); ‘The elephant of king Mahendra’.
c13.s5.7
(1) Gold; .85"; 129.¹ grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXXI. 2. *Obv:* The umbrella is fully visible. Legend, behind the attendant, the letters *n Kshatara*; between the hind legs of the elephant, *Ku* blurred; below the elephant, *ragupta*; adove elephant’s head, *tarapu*. *Rev:* Cornucopiæ is indistinct. There is a full-blown lotus near the bottom of the lotus creeper; conch in lower right corner. (Pl. XII. 14)
c13.s5.8
(2) Gold; .8"; 125.4 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXXI. 3. *Obv:* Staff and fillet of the umbrella visible, but not its top. Legend, arranged as above, *n Kshatarapu*; letters below blurred; above elephant’s head, *tarapu*. *Rev:* As above. (Pl. XII. 15)