Ayodhya (Saketa) and Coins

 

Ayodhya is a city situated on the banks of Sarayu River in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya was historically known as Saketa. This older name is attested in Sanskrit, Jain, Buddhist, Greek and Chinese sources. Ancient Indian Sanskrit language epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata mention Ayodhya, which was the capital of the legendary Ikshvaku kings of Kosala, including Rama. Neither these texts nor the Vedas, mention a city called Saketa. Sanskrit texts such as Panini's Ashtadhyayi (500 BC), and Patajali's commentary on it, do mention Saketa. The earliest of the Buddhist Pali-language texts and the Jain Prakrit language texts mention a city of the Kosala Mahajanpada. Topographical indications in both Buddhist Pali language texts and the Jain Prakrit language texts mention a city called Saketa is the same as the present-day Ayodhya.  

                        

Ayumitra, Ayodhya, 3rd Century AD. Brahmi legend ''Ayumitrasa''.

                       

  Ayodhya on the Map of Uttar Pradesh, India.

                     

     Late Vedic Period, Kosala, 1100-500 BC.

                      

          Mahajanapadas, Kosala, 500 BC.

Ayodhya had developed into an urban settlement by the fifth or sixth century BC. Ancient Buddhist text Samyutta Nikaya (a collection finalized in the Pre-Sectarian period, around 250 BC) state that Saketa was located in Kosala kingdom. It is not clear what happened to Saketa after Kosala was conquered by emperor Ajatashatru around fifth century BC. After decline of the Maurya empire, Saketa appears to have come under rule of Pushyamitra Shunga. The Yuga Purana states that Saketa was ruled by seven powerful kings after the retreat of the Greeks. The Vayu Purana (started around 350 BC) and the Brahmanda Purana (4th century BC) also state that seven powerful kings ruled in the capital of Kosala. The historicity of these kings is attested by the discovery of the coins of the Deva dynasty kings, including Dhanadeva, whose inscription describes him as the king of Kosala.

                     

The Dhanadeva Ayodhya inscription, first century BC. Present location Ranopali Monastery, Shri Udasin Sangat Rishi Ashram.

   

After Deva kings, Saketa appears to have been ruled by the Dutta, Kushan and Mitra kings. Saketa appears to have remained a prosperous town during the Kushan rule. Before or after Kushans, Saketa appears to have been ruled by a dynasty of kings whose name ended in ''Mitra''. and whose coins have been found at Ayodhya. The Mitra dynasty kings are attested by their coinage. Sangha Mitra, Vijaya Mitra, Satya Mitra, Deva Mitra and Arya Mitra. 

Around the 4th century AD, the region came under control of the Guptas who revived. Brahmanism. Later, the capital of the Gupta Empire was moved from Pataliputra to Ayodhya by Skandagupta.  

                        

Ayodhya, Ayumitra, 3rd century AD, copper weight 8.0 gm, Obverse: Bull left and legendary "Ayumitrasa", ribboned spear to left Reverse: peacock facing palm tree, wavy lines below.

                         

Ayodhya, Satyamitra, 1st century BC, copper, weight 7.5 gm, Obverse: Bull facing left, Brahmi legend'' Satyamitrasa'', Reverse: Rooster/ Peacock facing palm tree.