Indian Epigraphy c11.t9.40

c11.t9.40

The seal of some royal families like the Imperial Gaṅgas of Orissa bear no legend but a large number of emblems. Thus the seal attached to the Nagari plates⁴ of Anaṅgabhīma III (c. 1211-39 A. D.), which is 3½ inches in diameter, has the form of an expanded lotus, the centre of which is occupied by an embossed figure of a seated bull, caparisoned and bedecked with ornaments, facing the front and having raised neck and head. To the proper left of the bull, there are the representations of a conch, the crescent moon, a dagger pointed downwards, and a *ḍamaru*. To the right of the bull, are similarly found a trident and a goad or flywhisk. In the front of the bull, there is an emblem representing the solar orb. In some cases, the royal emblem is separately made and later attached to the seal. This is the case with the figure of Garuḍa on the seal of the Banda plates⁵ of Paracakraśalya.