An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s4.2

v1.c11.s4.2

Bullae are known in early historical levels of *c*. 300 B.C. to A.D. 200. Taxila has yielded them from Mauriyan times. Medallions are reported from KONDAPUR, SAMBHAR, SISUPALGARH and UJJAIN in levels of *c*. 100 B.C. to A.D. The decorations consist of lower petals, spoked wheels, pipal leaves, etc. Animal motifs include the bull, elephant and lion, some in couchant position and others in action. At SAMBHAR a gold lion in repoussé dates to the Kushan period. Bullae with a human face or imitation of coins seem to be a characteristic feature of the early centuries A.D. and have been found at sites in association with objects of Graeco-Roman origin. Two types are distinguishable: one comprises a human bust on one side and rosettes or flower patterns on the other; the second has a more common motif—imitation of Roman coins. The earliest bullae, which are medallions with human masks or figures in relief identified as heads of Apollo or Alexander and are copies of Hellenic prototypes, are from Taxila. From the 2nd century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D. bullae are found at sites like BRAHMAPURI, CHANDRAVALLI, DHARANIKOTA, KONDAPUR, NAGARJUNAKONDA, NEVASA, PAITHAN, SAMBHAR, SISUPALGARH, TER, UJJAIN and UPARKOT. In the Ganga valley they come from KASHIPUR, KAUŚĀMBĪ, MASAON and RAJGHAT. In the s. a few have also been found at KANCHIPURAM, KĀVERĪPAṬṬIṆAM and URAIYUR—imitations of recognizable *aureii* or *denarii* with inscriptions. Some are copies of coins of emperors Tiberius, Augustus, Hadrian and others. NEVASA has yielded them in gold, lead and terracotta. At UPARKOT and Taxila (Jaulian) they occur in levels of the 4th and 5th centuries A.D.