The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c13.s7: Rhinoceros-Slayer Type
The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c13.s7
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Rhinoceros-Slayer Type
c13.s7.1
The Rhinoceros-slayer type is a new addition made to the sport series by Kumāragupta. It became known for the first time from the Bayana hoard in 1947 when four of its specimens were identified by the present writer. A fifth specimen was purchased by the Lucknow Museum in 1948; it was published in J.N.S.I., XI. pp. 9-10, Pl. III. 7.
c13.s7.2
This type is both unique and artistic. On the obverse the king is riding a horse and attacking a rhinoceros by the sword. The legend is metrical and makes a pun upon the word khadga, which means both a sword and a rhinoceros; it reads, Bhartā khadgatrātā Kumāragupto jayatyaniśam, (Pl. XXII. 36); ‘Ever victorious is the lord Kumāragupta, who is khadgatrātā, protector by the sword (khadgena trātā) from the rhinoceros (khadgāt trātā). The metre is Upagīti. The reverse is unique; the goddess has a female parasol-bearer behind and is being offered a lotus by the snout by an elephant-headed crocodile upon which she is standing.
c13.s7.3
Coins of this type are all issued to the weight standard of 127 grains.
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We now give a general description of this type.
c13.s7.5
*Obv:* King bare-headed, with flowing frizzled locks (*alaka*) on head, riding on caparisoned horse to r., wearing buttoned coat and trousers, leaning forward and attacking a rhinoceros with the sword in r. hand. Horse raises up its head, slightly frightened. Rhinoceros stands at bay, turning back its head to attack, mouth being open. The beast is engraved realistically and beautifully, the horn on the head, l. eye, two ears, circular spots on the body, the tail and the four feet being all clear. Full circular legend is (*Bhartā?*) *khaḍgatrātā Kumāragupto jayatyaniśam* (Pl. XXII. 36).
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*Rev:* Within dotted border goddess Gaṅgā, not nimbate, standing to l. on an elephant-headed crocodile, holding lotus with long stalk in its trunk. R. hand of the goddess extended, forefinger pointing out at some object, not visible on the flan. L. hand is hanging down by the side empty. Hair on the head of the goddess is tied in a knot behind and she wears earrings, necklace and bangles. Behind the goddess a female attendant holding in her r. hand a *chhatra* (umbrella), without fillet, its staff being denoted by a dotted line; her l. hand is on the waist. Symbol on the r. Legend on the l., *Śrī-mahendra-khaḍga*. ‘Rhinoceros (killed by) king Mahendra.’ (Pl. XXIV. 63)
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COINS ILLUSTRATED : 4
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(1) Gold; .75"; 127.1 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXX. 5.
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*Obv:* King’s head slightly off the flan. Buttons of the coat clear. All four legs of the rhinoceros are visible. Legend at l., *ta Kumāragupta jayatya*.
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*Rev:* Lotus stalk partly visible; symbol on r.; legend on l., *Śra-Mahandrakhaḍga*.
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(2) Gold; .75"; 127.1 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXX. 6.
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*Obv:* The buttons of the coat are very clear. Legs of the rhinoceros are just visible. Legend, beginning at X, *Khagatrāta Kumāragupta ja*, slightly blurred.
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*Rev:* As above, but the feet of the goddess are turned, as she was about to face to r., though actually she is facing l. The pointing fore-fingre of the r. hand is not clear on this specimen. The elephant-headed crocodile holding the lotus in its snout is fully visible. The lotus can be clearly seen above the r. hand of the goddess. Female attendant is rather tall and blurred, but her breasts are prominently visible. Legend on the l., *Śra-Mahandrakhaga*, blurred, but the letters *khaga* are fairly distinct. Symbol on the r.
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(Pl. XIII. 4)
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(3) Gold; .8"; 128.1 grains; *B.H.*, Pl. XXX. 7.
c13.s7.16
*Obv:* Buttons of the king's coat are not clear on this specimen. The feet and the lower part of the body of the rhinoceros are truncated. Legend, beginning at IX, *(Bha?)tta khagatata (Bharttā khaḍgatrātā)*. The lower loop of the crucial letter *kha* is quite distinct on this coin above the king's r. shoulder.
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*Rev:* Goddess is turned slightly to r., though she is actually looking to l. Crocodile is fully visible, as also the lotus stalk in its snout, but the lotus is represented merely by four dots. The female attendant is blurred and indistinct; the dotted line of the umbrella is quite clear. Legend on the l., *Śra Mahandrakhaga*, the last two letters being blurred.
c13.s7.18
*Obv:* Buttons of the coat faintly visible. Feet of the rhinoceros off the flan; the fury on its face is remarkable. Legend beginning at IX, (*Bha?*) ta kagatata [*Bha(?)rtā khaḍgatrātā*]. *Kha* above the r. shoulder has a broad triangular base. *Rev:* Crocodile. its tail and snout holding the lotus stalk, as also the lotus are all very clear. Attendant is dwarf as usual. Symbol on the r., the same as on No. 3, but partly off. Legend on the l., *Śra Mahandrakhaga*.