The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.111

v1.c12.111

The next prince in the list of al-Bīrūnī is Sāmand. This is probably the nameless *Sāhi* prince referred to as contemporary of Gopālavarman (*c.* 902-04 A.D.), who was overthrown by the Kashmirian minister Prabhākaradeva.⁴ His relationship with Kallār-Lalliya is not known, but he appears to have carried on the policy of hostility of his predecessor against the Utpalas which in the end cost him his throne. A large number of coins with the legend *Sāmantadeva* of the Bull-and-horseman type, which are found in large quantities, not only in Afghanistan, but throughout the Punjab and the whole of Northern India, have been attributed to this prince. One such coin was found "at a place called Obrzycko in the province of Posen, in company of 30 different kings of Europe and Asia."⁵ Mr. E. Thomas was of opinion that this profusion of coins with his legend is to be explained by 'his having called in the coins of his Buddhist predecessors in order to give prevalence to his own creed of Brahmanism by the substitution of the Bull-and-horseman type for that of the Elephant-and-lion, which is considered emblematic of Buddhism.' But as Elliot has pointed out this “supposition seems to be defeated by the fact of our finding Sāmanta coins with elephants also upon them.”¹ It is likely that Sāmanta became so celebrated that his type was imitated by later rulers.²