Unearthing Hindu Deities on Ancient Indo-Greek Coins, (190-180 BC)

 

                                  

Six silver coins were discovered in the ruins at Al-Khanoum in Afghanistan on 3rd October 1970, hidden in a pilgrim's water vessel. These depict Hindu deities and are coins of Indo-Greek King Agathocles, of Bactria of 190-180 BC. 

                                               

Vasudeva-Krishna with Vishnu attributes of the Shankha and Sudarshana Chakra wheel on a coin of 180 BC

These are amongst the earliest coins with Vedic deities and display avatars of Vishnu, Krishna, Balarama (Krishna's brother), Lakshmi and Subhadra (sister of Krishna and Balarama). These coins from Al-Khanoum are precious indication of the forms taken by the Bhagavata cult and Vaishnavism in early India and shows that this cult was popular in the area of Gandhara around the 2nd century BC. 

Agathocles of Bactria (190-180 BC). Son of Demetrius and in charge of the Paropamisadae between Bactria and Indus-Ganges plains who issued a vast range of bilingual coinage, displaying Buddhist and Hindu symbolism. The coins used Brahmi, Greek or Kharosthi scripts and he displayed willingness to accommodate local languages and beliefs to an extent unseen with subsequent Indo-Greek kings.  

Krishna is worshipped in India as the eighth avatar of Vishnu. He is the central character in 'Mahabharata' and the 'Bhagwat Gita'. He is also called Vasudeva Krishna. 

Balarama was the elder brother of Krishna, the Hindu God. He is also referred to as Baladeva, Sankarshan, Balabhadra and Halayudha and the deity who used farm equipment as weapons when needed as he was strongly associated with farmers and farming.

Subhadra is the sister of Krishna and Balaram, wife of Arjuna, mother of Abhimanyu and grandmother of Parikshit. Also known as Veera Sodari, Veera Patni and Veera Mata and is worshipped with Krishna. 

Coins with Hindu deities

Left: Balarama-Samkarshana with Greek legend

Right: Vasudeva-Krishna or Lord Krishna with Shankha and Sudarshana Chakra, Brahmi legend

                                      

Several deities depicted on the coinage of Agathocles 180 BC with Brahmi legend.

From left, 

1. Zeus standing with goddess Hecate

2. Deity wearing a long himation, arm bent

3. Balarama-Samkarshana

4. Vasudeva-Krishna with Brahmi legend

5. Goddess Lakshmi, holding a lotus in right hand

                                               

                                           

The statue of a Bodhisattva displays the same shaft with parasol as seen on the coins.

                                                 

Maues coin with Samkarshana-Balarama, 1st Century BC, with a mace and plough, striding forward with billowing scarf,  

                                            

Earliest representation of Balarama on a Mauryan Empire punch marked coin, 3rd century BC.

                                                 

Enlargement of the "Balarama" of the coin above

                                            

                                              

Double Karshapana, 185-170 BC, weigh 14.4 gm.

Obverse: Deity Subhadra (Krishan's sister) moving left holding flower, Brahmi legend, Rajane Agahukleyasasa 

Reverse: Panther standing right, Greek legend

                                            

Agathocles of Bactria, 190-180 BC, weight 9.8 gm

Obverse: Subhadra (Krishna's sister) walking to left, with a flower in her right hand, Brahmi legend 

Reverse: Panther standing to right, Greek inscription

                                                   

Pantaleon of Bactria, 185-180 BC, weight 12.7 gm

Obverse: Subhadra (Krishna's sister) walking to left, with a flower in her right hand, Brahmi legend 

Reverse: Panther standing to right, Greek inscription

The first inscription of the Bhagvati cult (worshippers of Krishna) was by an Indo-Greek Heliodorus, an ambassador of king Antialcidas, who wrote a dedication on the Besnagar pillar in 2nd century BC. The Heliodorus pillar is a stone column erected around 113 BC in Besnagar (near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh) and was called Garuda-standard. A dedication in Brahmi script inscribed on the pillar glorifies Vasudeva, the "God of Gods" and symbolizes joining earth, space, and heaven. The pillar and inscriptions were discovered in 1877. These contain some of the earliest known writings of Vasudeva-Krishna devotion and early Vaishnavism and considered as the first archeological evidence.

                                         

 The Heliodorus Pillar in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, India, 113 BC  

                                       

                                            

The inscription recites a verse from "Mahabharata", 113 BC                                       

                                                                                

                                               

Silver coin of Agathocles, 180 BC,

Obverse: Diademed bust of king Agathocles

Reverse: Zeus holding Greek goddess Hecate in his hand, Greek legend

Buddhist coin of Agathocles with a six-arched hill symbol surmounted by a star Kharosthi legend Akathukreyasa "Agathocles". Tree in railing. Kharosthi legend "Hiranasame" 190-180 BC               

Decipherment of Brahmi Script

                    

   

Identical regnal names Agathuklayesa (Brahmi) and Agathocles (Greek) on a bilingual coin of Agathocles, used by Christian Lassen to decipher the first Brahmi letters.

                          

                                           

However, it is ironical that its only from 1834 AD, that attempts to decipher the Brahmi script, the main script used in ancient Indian inscription like the Edicts of Ashoka were made by J Stevenson and in 1836 by Christian Lassen who used the bilingual Greek -Brahmi coins of Indo-Greek king Agathocles and Pantaleon to correctly identify the Brahmi characters. The task was completed by James Prinsep also taking help of Major Cunningham in 1838, leading to a large number of edicts being deciphered. Although it is quite possible that these were deciphered earlier too and all the records as also the deciphered scripts were destroyed in Nalanda when all the ancient scripts were burnt by Bakhtiyar Khilji, in 1200 AD. 

British Museum

Coin India

Hindu Deities, 

Alexander's Waterloo: Kathgarh

                                             

Alexander, wearing an elephant scalp, symbol of his conquests in  Southern Asia

After Alexander defeated the last of the Achaemenid Empire's forces in 328 BC, he began a new campaign to extend his empire towards India in 327 BC, through the Khyber Pass. Alexander invited all the chieftains of Gandhara to submit to his authority. Ambhi, ruler of Taxila, whose kingdom extended from Indus to Jhelum ( Hydaspes, in Greek), complied. The alliance combined their forces against Taxila's neighbour, the king of Hydaspes King Porus, whose territory spanned between the Hydaspes and Acesines (Chenab River) and who had spurn Alexander's command to surrender and chose to fight.

The Battle of the Hydaspes was fought in 326 BC between Alexander and Porus on the east bank of the Jhelum in the Punjab region of modern-day site of Mong in Pakistan. 

This battle may be one of the earliest witnesses to "Deception" and "Feint" attacks.

Alexander fixed his camp in the vicinity of the town of Jhelum on the bank of the river. Porus deployed on the other bank. The river was deep and fast. Porus shadowed Alexander's troops preventing him to cross. Greek historian Arrian in the 2nd century AD quotes how Alexander "feint attacks" across at many places but crossed the river 27 km to the north and effectively deceived Porus.

                              

Alexander's crossing of the Hydaspes (Jhelum) river, 326 BC

                                             

           Porus awaits the attack of Alexander, July 326 BC

                                             

Porus's elephant cavalry as depicted in the 16th century German work, Cosmongraphia

 

It was a tough battle with both developing respect for each other's valour. Throughout the battle, Alexander is said to have observed with growing admiration the valour of Porus and understood that Porus intended to die in battle rather than be captured. Alexander however, defeated Porus and founded a city of Nicaea (Greek for Victory) on the site. Nicaea later had a mint too.                                              

"Victory coin" of Alexander the Great, minted in Babylon, 322 BC, following his campaigns in the Indian subcontinent

Obverse: Alexander being crowned by Nike

Reverse: Alexander attacking king Porus on his elephant, 

British Museum

Porus was called by Alexander after the battle. Wounded in his shoulder, standing over 2 m (6 feet 7 inches) tall he was asked by Alexander, how he wished to be treated, Porus replied "Treat me as a king would treat another king". Alexander was further impressed and allowed him to retain his land and reinstated him as a 'satrap' of his kingdom and granted him dominion over land to the Hyphasis (Beas). 

                                             

Surrender of Porus to the Emperor Alexander, engraving of 1865 by Alonzo Chappel

                                                     

Alexander accepts surrender of Porus, illustration of 1898-99

 

In 326 BC, the army of Alexander approached the boundaries of the Nanda Empire. His army, exhausted from the continuous campaigning and concern at the prospect of facing yet another gigantic and strong army got dejected and demanded to return. The unrest took place at the Hyphasis (River Beas) at a place known as Kathgarh, near Mirthal, about 20 km from Pathankot. 

                                                

Alexander's troops beg to return home from India in plate 3 of 11 by Antonio Tempesta of Florence, 1608

                             

                              

Alexander's retreat from Kathgarh, on the bank of River Hyphasis (Beas), near Mithal, 20 km from Pathankot.

Kathgarh, (Himachal Pradesh) is located about 3-4 km from Mirthal and 20 km from Pathankot, on the meeting point of the Beas and the Choch rivers. The famous Shiv Temple housing two Lingas of grey sandy stone of 6 feet and 4 feet 7 inches in height above the ground level personify Lord Shiva and Parvati respectively. These are 3 and a half feet apart at the bottom and 2 inches apart at the top. They have been worshipped since ancient time and the distance between the two increases and decreases as per the seasons until they join on "Shivratri." 

                               

                          Kathgarh Mandir

   

                         Shiv Parvati Linga at Kathgarh

  

Arrian, the Greek historian wrote in his book "Indica", translated by Watson McCrindle, p5 ' Alexander did not penetrate beyond the river Hyphasis (Beas)'. "Arrian's Anabasis of Alexander", Book V, Chapter XXV gives details of the apprehensions of the soldiers not to proceed further. It was reported that the country beyond the river Hyphasis (Beas) was fertile and that the men of that place had a much greater number of elephants than the other Indians and that those men were of great stature and excelled in valour. In the art of war, the Indians were far superior to the other nations inhabiting the area at that time. 

 Many Greek historians and Generals, Aristobouos, Diognetos, Baeto, Onesikrtios, Nearchos and others wrote in their memoirs about the Indian terrain and events. Though their work is not readily available, the writings can be found in the works of historians like Strabo and Pinny. 

Alexander finally gave in and turned south, along the Indus, securing the banks of the river as the borders of his empire. Before Alexander returned, he built four walls enclosing the sandstone Lingas and a platform with minarets on sides towards the river Beas at Kathgarh, that are present even today.

It was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who after offering his prayers built the Shiv temple here. He would drink water from the ancient well near the temple before starting any major task.

There is, however, no evidence to believe that the stone could be a statue of Apollo, or a victory stone built by Alexander on a high platform to mark the spot from where he retreated, as claimed by some.  

                                                      

Alexandri Anabasis, gives a broad chronological account of the reign of Alexander the Great (336-323 BC)

References

The Annabasis of Alexander, by Arrian, translated by EJ Chinnock

Indica by Arrian, originally by Megasthenes

Diodorus Siculus (90-30 BC), Bibliotheca Historica

Life of Alexander the Great by Arrian (early 2nd c. AD), translated by Aubrey de Selincourt

Quintus Curtius Rufus (60-70 AD), Historie Alexandri Magni

Fuller John 1960

Green Peter 1974,

Alexander the great

Wikipedia

wikisource.org

Indian Forces Overseas (Stamps and First Day Covers)

 

Postage stamps of the Indian Forces Overseas from the China Expeditionary Force (CEF) in 1900 until 1968. India has participated in 49 UN peacekeeping missions and contributed about 2,08,000 troops.

China Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.). Eight nation alliance (mostly from India) to respond to the Boxers Rebellion in1900. These overprint C.E.F. were used throughout China till 1923.

                                           

                  3 Pies, 1900, overprint C.E.F.

                                            

The Indian troops that fought in the First World War were called "Indian Expeditionary Forces"(I.E.F.). More than 1.3 million Indians served in I.E.F. with about 500 thousand at any one time deployed in 23 countries, India issued a number of stamps overprinted with the letters IEF to be used by Indian soldiers on active service overseas.

                                           

                Half Anna, 1914, Overprint I.E.F.

During the World War II, more than 2.5 million Indian troops participated.

                   

            Countries of Deployment                   

           I.E.F. Base Offices 

                                                 

            India Victory Issue, 12 annas, 1946

Towards the end of the Korean War in 1953, a reinforced brigade known as the Custodian Force of India was deployed for two years for repatriation of the Prisoners of War. Overprint in Hindi language which reads "Bhattiya/ Sanraksha Katak/ Korea

                                          

                    

  Two annas, 1953 with overprint

As part of the United Nations Force in Congo, 5,300 Indian troops were deployed in 1962. Overprint "UN Force India Congo" on these.

                                                

         1,2 and 5 NP, 15 Jan 1962 with overprint

                                       

First Day Cover, Indian Contingent United Nations Force,15 January 1962.

The International Control Commission (1954-72) was an international force established to oversee the implementation of the "Geneva Accords" that ended the Indo-China war with the partition of Vietnam. The force had troops from India, Canada and Poland. Stamps were released in 1954, 1957 and 1968. 

                                           

         13 NP, for Combodia, Laos and Viet-Nam                                                           

                 2 annas, carmine, stamped in 1955.

 

                                           

     1 anna, turquoise, Viet-Nam, stamped in 1956. 

                                      

First Day Cover, International Control Commissions,1968

United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) was the mission in Gaza in 1964. 13,000 Indian troops participated. Nehru Medal and Rose stamps were overprinted.                                                                                      

           15 p, stamped on 15 January 1965

                                  

First Day Cover, Soldier of Peace,15 January 1965

About Conch (Shankh) Sea-Shells (Cowry) and Coins

 

A Shankh is a conch shell of ritual and religious importance in Hinduism. It is a sacred emblem of the Hindu god Vishnu. Goddess Lakshmi too is associated with the Shankh as it is believed in Hindu mythology, that during the churning of the ocean, the first conch shell that appeared was followed by goddess Lakshmi. In its earliest references, it is also mentioned as a trumpet, and it was the earliest sound producing instrument as manifestation of sound and all other elements came later. It was used in battles as a war trumpet. The sound of the Shankha symbolizes the sacred "Om" sound. In Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the symbol of Shankha is widely adopted and described. In Buddhism, the conch shell has been incorporated as one of the eight auspicious symbols, also called Ashtamangala. 

                                               

                         Conch on a Burma coin

The Sanskrit "Samkha", is usually written and pronounced in latin script as Shankh.

The vibrations and sound waves it produces when blown, purifies the air and it is believed that it balances the Chakras in the body. It is always placed on a metallic seat or tripod in the place of worship with the mouth facing in the upward direction and its tip in the east. The study of conch-shells is known as Conchology and by 1828, an instrument called 'Conchometer' was designed to measure the spiral arrangements on the shell. The Romans and the Greek credited these with mystic or occult power. Based on its direction of coiling, they are of two types.

Vamavarta. (Left turned as viewed with the aperture uppermost). Commonly found, where the shell coils expand in a clockwise spiral when viewed from the apex of the shell. In Hinduism, it is associated with Vishnu.

Dakshinavarti. The rare form where the sell coils expand in a counterclockwise spiral if viewed from the apex of the shell. It is believed to be the abode of the wealth goddess Lakshmi. The right spirals reflect the motion of the planets.

                           

                   Dakshinavarti and Vamavarta Shankh

Shaligrams (ammonites) are iconographic fossil stones found the world over, however, closer to India they are found in the Gandaki River in Nepal, that once was a sea before the collusion between the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate that began 50 million years ago. These are worshipped as representative of Hindu god Vishnu. The Shaligram has arks of a Shankh, chakra, gada and Padma arranged in this particular order. The largest and heaviest Shaligram in India is at Jagannath Temple and outside India, the ISKON temple in Scotland has the largest number of Shaligrams. 

                                          

                                  Shaligrams

Shell Money. Was a medium of exchange similar to coin money and was once commonly used in many parts of the world. It consisted of whole or partial seashells, often even worked into beads and it appeared in Americas, Asia, Africa and Australia. Usually, it was referred to as Cowry. In India, in Bengal 3840 cowries were equivalent to a rupee. 

                                         

Cowrie or Kaudi, ancient India,1000-1825 BC, weight 2 gm

                                                

              Chinese shell money, 1600-1800 BC

              

                                           

1845 print showing cowry shells being used as money.

                    

           Batu Islands, Indonesia Cowry                              

             

               Papua New Guinea, shell money 

Conch or Shankh on coins or use of shells as coins is prevalent since ancient times. Numerous kingdoms and many countries have on their coin's images of a conch since ancient time and even now there are nations that depict them on their coins.

Some are as listed.

                                          

Kadamba, 345-525 AD, weight 0.11 gm, conch within dotted border                                          

Vishnukundin Empire, 450-624 AD, weight 7.4 gm

Obverse: Roaring lion facing right

Reverse: Conch shell within two lampstands

                             

Yadavas of Devagiri, Rama Chandra Deva,1270-1311 AD, gold, weight 3.8 gm, Lotus in center, top Nargi legend 'Sri Ram', below dagger, conch on the bottom and 'Sri' in Kanada.

                                              

Vijayanagar Empire, Krishna Devaraya, gold pagoda, weight 3.3 gm, Balakrishna seated facing right, tucked under left leg, flanked by chakra and Shankh. 

                                         

Burma, Pyu city, kingdom of Sri Ksetra, 610-835 AD, weight 11.4 gm, Obverse: Damru, five triangular ornaments above all within beaded border, Reverse: Temple Shankh, three petals around

                                           

Sri Lanka, Kalandas, gold, 7th-10th century AD, 'Chank' coin, Conch is held over palm of the figure as also on the reverse.  

                                               

      

Burma, Mon kingdom of Hamsavati, 5th-6th century AD, weight 9.5 gm, Conch within beaded border with temple on reverse in the shape of a Srivatsa containing ankus, two annulets below.

                                               

Cochin, Ravi Varma, 2 puttuns, 1809 AD, weight 1.06 gm

Obverse: Shiva with flanking serpents

Reverse: Stylized conch

                                            

Conch Republic, dollar, 1982, with a prominent conch

                                                                                        

Yaudheya, Karttikeya and Devasena, 3rd-4th century AD, weight 11.2 gm, Obverse: Karttikeya standing holding spear in right hand, Reverse: Goddess Devasena with right hand extended, with Shankh to left and Srivatsa to right.

                                             

Bhutan, half rupee 1885 AD, weight 3.5 gm, Knot on obverse and conch on reverse

                                     

Bhutan, ten chetrums, 1979, with prominent conch

                                             

Bahamas, one dollar, 1976 with prominent conch

                                            

Seychelles, rupee, 1977 with a prominent conch