The Western Kshatrapas & Coins

 

The Western Kshatrapas ruled Kutch, Saurashtra, mainland Gujarat, parts of Madhya Pradesh and parts of Western Maharashtra at their peak. The empire of the Kshatrapas lasted from the first half of the 1st century CE all the way to 405 CE, when they fell to the Gupta expansion under Chandra Gupta II (reigned 380-415 CE)

                                            

                                       Vijayasena, SE164

There were two branches of the Western Kshatrapas, the Kshaharathas and the Kardamakas. Pliny, the famous Roman historian, calls them Indo Scythians (locally known as 'Sakas') in the 2nd century CE. The word 'Kshatrapa' has its etymology in the word 'satrap' which is Persian for 'governor' perhaps from the time the Kshatrapas were governors of the Partho-Scythians in western Punjab.

                                              

                             Empire of Rudrasena, 350 CE

Some believe they were Scythio-Persians, while others are convinced, they were Scythians and Indo-Scythian governors originally appointed by the Indo-Scythian dynasties of North-Western South Asia.

The word 'Kshatrapas' is found and heard of in Taxila (now in Pakistan), Northwest Frontier Province, Mathura Hagana, Sodasa, Sivdatta and in Greek and Kharoshti legends.

Kshaharatha Kshatrapas. 100 BCE-78 CE, were the first dynasty and their rulers as we know from their coins were Abhiraka, his son Bhumaka and grandson Nahapana, the first three emperors.

                                              

  

Abhiraka, early 1st century CE, copper, weight 10.3 g

Obverse: winged Nike standing right, Greek legend around

Reverse: Lion and dharamchakra on pedestals, kharoshthi legend around

                                            

Bhumaka, early 1st century CE, copper, weight 3.7 g

Obverse: Lion and dharamchakra on pedestals, kharoshthi legend around

Reverse: Thunderbolt and spear, legend around

                                                                            

Nahapana, 53-99 AD, silver, weight 2,2 g

Obverse: King's bust right, Greek legend around

Reverse: Stylized thunderbolt and arrow, Brahmi legend around, Rajno Kshaharatasa Napanasa on left and Kharoshthi legend, Rajno Chaharatasa Nahapanasa on right

    

 Of these Nahapana was the most famous. He was based in present day Bharuch in Gujarat, and his capital city was Ujjain.

 We know of him from the coins and from inscriptions of his son-in-law, Ushavadatta seen in Nashik in present day Maharashtra.

                                            

Inscription, cave no 10 Nashik Caves by Ushavadata, son in law and viceroy of Nahapana

 

 The silver coinage of Nahapana is found in large numbers. The symbols on the reverse of his coins are suddenly seen replacing the Satavahana symbol and this shows he not only defeated the Satavahanas but also extended his rule over their vassals.

                                             

Coin of Nahapana counterstruck by Satavahana ruler, Gautamiputra Satakarni

 He was finally defeated by a coalition of forces welded together by Gautamiputra, a feud that lasted for the next 200 years. He was a Buddhist and Inscriptions at Nashik Caves, Karla Caves, Manmodi Caves (Junnar) speak about him.

                                              

Inscription in Karla Caves, Maharashtra, on pillar by Usabhadata's son Mitadevanaka

Kardamaka Kshatrapas. A new dynasty was founded by Chashtana, the Satrap of Ujjain in 78 CE. During his 52 years at the helm, till 130 CE, he held and nurtured an empire well. He was the grandfather of Rudradaman I and was succeeded by his grandson in 130 CE

                                             

                Statue of Chastana, Mathura Museum

                                             

Chastana, 78-130 AD, silver

Obverse: bust of Chastana facing right, Greek script around reads Prakrit Rano Kshatarapasa Chashtana "King and Satrap Chashtana"

Reverse: Three arch hill, sun, Brahmi script reads Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Ysamotika Putrasa Chashtanasa, followed by the name Chathanasa in kharoshthi script.

Rudradaman I defended his kingdom from the Satavahanas. He was able to regain many territories of Nahapana but was unable to conquer Nashik and Pune. 

                                          

Rudradaman, 130-150 CE, silver, drachm, weight 2.2 g

Obverse: Head of king, Greek legend around

Reverse: Crescented three arched hill (chaitya), river below, crescent moon at left, sun at right, Brahmi legend around, Rajno Kshatrapasa Jayadamaputrasa Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Rudradamasa

                                           

Rudrasena I, 199-222 CE, silver drachm, as Mahakshatrapa, legend A, year S 136

Obverse: Head of king right, Greek legend around, date behind head

Reverse: Crescented three arched hill (chaitya), river below, crescent moon at left, sun at right, Brahmi legend around, Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Rudrasihasaputrasa Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Rudrasenasa

                                                      

Rudrasena I, 199-222 CE, silver drachm, weight 2.2 g, as Kshatrapa, legend A, year S 124

Obverse: Head of king right, Greek legend around, date behind head

Reverse: Crescented three arched hill (chaitya), river below, crescent moon at left, sun at right, Brahmi legend around, Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Rudrasihasaputrasa Rajno Kshatrapasa Rudrasenasa

Ujjain rose to prominance during reign of Kshatrapas and was the capital under Chashtana and Rudradaman (who ruled for 48 years). 

The sun partially set on the Kshatrapa empire after Rudrasimha Satkarni (170-199 CE) defeated them in the late 2nd century CE. He left behind many inscriptions at Nashik, Kanheri and Guntur. But a resurgence under Rudrasena II (256-278 CE) brought Kshatrapas back to power in western and central India. He was succeeded by Rudrasimha II (304-348 CE).

                                         

Rudrasena II, 255-278 CE, silver drachm, 

Obverse: Head of king right, Greek legend around, date behind head

Reverse: Crescented three arched hill, river below, crescent moon at left, sun at right, Brahmi legend around Rajno Kshatrapasa Viradamaputrasa Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Rudrasenasa 

                                             

                                             

Rudrasena II, 255-278 CE, silver drachm, year S. 188

Obverse: Head of king right, Greek legend around, date behind head

Reverse: Crescented three arched hill, river below, crescent moon at left, sun at right, Brahmi legend around Rajno Kshatrapasa Viradamaputrasa Rajno Mahakshatrapasa Rudrasenasa 

                                            

Rudrasimha II, 304-316 CE, silver drachm, year S.234 (312 CE)

Obverse: Head of King right, Greek legend, date behind head

Reverse: Crescented three arched hill, river, crescent moon at left, sun at right, Brahmi legend around, Swami Jivadamaputrasa Rajna Kshatrapasa Rudrasihasah 

Samudragupta, the second emperor of the Gupta dynasty conquered Gujrat in the second half of the 4th century. 

These above are coins by Rudrasimha II, who is mentioned in an inscription from Eran to have stopped Ramagupta's (son of Samudragupta) subsequent advances. 

Chandragupta II's campaigns brought an end to four centuries of Saka rule and set the stage for the Guptas.       

                                         

Chandragupta II, silver drachm, date GE 90.(Gupta Era 90, ie 409 AD)

Obverse: king's head right. Brahmi date 90 to left.

Reverse: Garuda standing facing with wings spread, Brahmi legend around, Parama Bhagavata Maharajadhiraja Sri Chandragupta Vikramaditya

The Western Kshatrapas

Coins of the Western Kshatrapas