The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c18.s1: (1) Bhīmarāja (Bhīmasena?)
The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c18.s1
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(1) Bhīmarāja (Bhīmasena?)
c18.s1.1
Bhīmarāja is known to us from a single silver coin procured by Rivett-Carnac at Ayodhyā and published by Cunningham in his *Archaeological Survey Report*, Vol. IX., Pl. V. 16. This coin is a close copy of the Madhyadeśa type of the silver coinage of Budhagupta. The obverse gives the usual bust of the king, but the head is to left and not to right, as on the coins of Budhagupta. The reverse has the fan-tailed peacock and the usual metrical legend substituting Bhīmarāja's name for that of Budhagupta. We have so far got no evidence to identify this ruler. His time may be between 500 and 550 A. D.
c18.s1.2
The reading Bhīmarāja is not free from difficulties. It occurs after VI and the first letter books like *bha* and the next one would be a *ma* of the eastern variety. The next two letters are taken as *sena* by Cunningham and Rapson, but to me they appear to be clearly *raja* i. e. *rāja*. The photograph given by Cunningham in *C.A.S.R.*, IX. Pl. V. 16. is too indistinct to permit the reading of the legend.
c18.s1.3
We now describe the coin.
c18.s1.4
Silver; .6"; 34.2 grains; *I.C.*, Pl. IV. 14. *Obv*: Bust of the king to l.; no traces of Greek letters. *Rev*: Fan-tailed peacock in the centre. Circular legend, (XII) *Vijitāvaniravanipatiś-śri-Bhīmarājo divam jayati* (after restoration).