History of India, c. 150 A.D. to 350 A.D.: Naga–Vakataka Imperial Period c21.s2.11

c21.s2.11

Seal No. 27 gives the name of Bhīmasena. It was found among the débris accumulated above the Kuṣan floor (pp. 32 and 51) and Sir John Marshall rightly assigns it to the Second or Third Century A.D. This Śrī Bhīmasena is identical with the Śrī Bhīmasena of the Ginja inscription discussed above (ante p. 108), of the year 52 of the Vākāṭaka era, from which his date is fixed (300 A.D.). It has a standing Nandi-bull and the figure of Gaṅgā (compare it with the more distinct figure in seal No. 26, discussed below)³ The writing closely resembles the writing at Ginja (E.I., Vol. III, pl., p. 305). The bow-and-arrow mark which is on the seal is not an exclusive Southern Indian device. It is also found in seal No. 73 which bears Kushan characters. Bhimasena was the actual governor of the area in the year 300 A.D. which is conclusively proved by the neighbouring Ginja record. In the seal his mother's name is also given, he being called Vāsiṣṭhīputtra, not Vasasuputtra as read by Sir John Marshall. The whole legend reads: Rājño¹ Vāsiṣṭhī-puttrasya Śrī-Bhimasena[sya]. He is called mahārāja at Ginja. It seems that he also was a son of Pravarasena I, from another wife who belonged to the Vāsiṣṭha gotra.