An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c32.25

v2.c32.25

**Eran** (24°5′; 78°10′), Dt Sagar, on the s. bank of the river Bina (ancient Veṇvā), a tributary of the Betwa (Vetravatī). A. Cunningham first brought to light its rich architectural, epigraphic and numismatic remains (*ASI-AR*, 7, pp. 88-90; 10, pp. 77-90; 14, pp. 148-9). He discovered a number of copper punch-marked coins and a few inscribed die-struck and cast coins [3.1] some of them bearing the name Erakanya or Erakaña in early Brāhmī script. Inscriptions of Samudragupta of the Gupta dynasty, of Toramāṇa the Hūṇa ruler and of the time of the late Gupta Bhānugupta establish its ancient name as Airakiṇa, an administrative unit of Ākara (e. Malwa). A Viṣṇu temple built during the rule Candragupta II is simple in style and possesses a roof with an interior decorated with lotus and ornamented pillars bearing the *pūrṇa-ghaṭa*, scrolls and *kīrttimukha* motifs, with a Garuḍa pillar in front of the main shrine. Loose sculptures of Brāhmaṇical deities also bespeak the religious importance of the place.