Kaushambi under the Maghas

Some dated inscriptions coming from Bandhogarh (Shahdol district, M.P.) and the Vatsa region have brought to light the names Aseveral Magha rulers The Puranas mention nine Magha kings of Kosala, but they do not give any details regarding them А few epigraphs and a number of coins have supplied reliable information about the Magha dynasty, which ruled on parts of south kosala and Vatsa during the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D.

It has now been generally accepted that the inscriptions of the Maghas are referable to the Shaka era of 78 A.D.^[1] It means their dated records would show that the Maghas flourished during the second and third centuries of the Christian era. The Maghas were, in fact, one of those Indian powers who were mainly responsible for the gradual disappearance of the Kushana supremacy from the Gangetic Valley Dr. Altekar made an effort to place the Magha kings in a chronological order^[2] in the following manner: 1. Bhimasena, 2. Pothasiri, 3. Bhadramagha, 4. Shivamagha, 5. Vaishravana, 6. Bhimavarman, 7. Shatamagha, 8. Vijayamagha.

Besides these rulers, coins have revealed the names of several other kings.^[3]

Bhimasena is known to be the first king of the dynasty. He is known from two inscriptions, the first from Bandhogarh, dated year 51 (129 A.D.)^[4] and the other from Ginja dated the year 52 (130 A.D.)^[5] His name also occurs on a: Bhita seal^[6] and on his copper coins.^[7] On his coins, Bhimasena assumed the title of Raja. These coins have been found at Kaushambi. Sri S.S. Rody published one copper coin of this ruler bearing the legend 'Raja Bhimasena'.^[8] Prof. Altekar also published a coin of the same king in the same issue of the Journal. But his attribution of the coin to Bhimavarma another king of the Magha dynasty is not correct. Prof. Bajpai reads Raja Bhana (Bhima) on the coin and ascribes it to King Bhimasena. The coins of Bhimavarma, as known to us from Kaushambi and Fatehpur, are different in fabric and type.

Prof. Altekar wrongly attributed another coin of Bhimasena to " king Rajanimitra, a new king of Kausambí". Prof. Bajpai has read the legend 'Raja Bhima' on it and has shown that the coin belongs to Raja Bhimasena and not to Rajanimitra. The latter is not so far known to be the name of any Kaushambi ruler. Recently Prof. Bajpai has identified several coins of this king in his Kaushambi collection and also in the collection of Sri Janeshwar. Das of Allahabad.^[9] They bear, on the obverse, a tree in railing and the Brahmi legend ' raja Bhimasena sa '. The reverse has a standing bull.

The coins of Bhimasena are die-struck and are akin to the late Mitra coins of Kaushambi of the 2nd century A.D. On several of these coins, the long I has been indicated by a semi-circle 3/4 or a complete circle. The forms of triangular ma and of tend to place the coins in the 2nd cent. A.D.

It follows from these coins of Bhimasena^[10], most of which have been found at Kaushambi, and from the three stone inscriptions (two of which come not far from Kaushambi), that Raja Bhimasena was ruling not only over parts of the South Kosala but at least over some parts of the Vatsa janapada also. He may have risen to power about 125 A.D. The immediate successor of Bhimasena was his son Prahsthashri. He is known from some undated Inscriptions. The dated inscriptions bear the years 86, 87 and 88'.^[11] It appears that he issued a larger number of coins than his father. Prof. Bajpai is of the opinion that the coins bearing the legend Prasthasri or Prasthasri^[12] were the issues of this ruler. These coins are known mostly from Kaushambi and Bhita.

The third king of the dynasty was Bhadramagha, the son of Prausthashri. He was so far known by three inscriptions from Kosan dated years 81,86 and 87.^[13] Recently another inscription of this king dated year 83 has been acquired from Kosam and is now preserved in the Allahabad Museum. The name, Bhadra. magha, has been found incised on an earthen jar from the recent Kaushambi excavations.^[14] In one of the Bandhogarh inscriptions, Bhadramagha is called 'ManaRaja Bhattadeva'. In another inscription he is called 'Mahasenapati Bhadrabala'. It appears that Bhadrabala was his personal name and that after he ascended the throne he was called Bhadramagha like several other rulers of the dynasty (Sivamagha, Vijayamagha, etc.). The coins of Bhadramagha are found in quite a lagge number from Kaushambi and the region. around and also from the Fatehpur district. The fourth King Shivamagha is known from a Kaushambi inscription, which is undated.^[15] Two inscribed clay sealing's of this king have been found at Bhita. The inscription on them reads. MahaRaja Gautamiputrasya Sri Shivamaghasya.^[16]

It is interesting to note that the symbols on the seals of Bhimasena and Shivamagha are similar. on the basis of the palaeography also Shivamagha can not be far removed from Bhimasena. His actual position in the Magha geneology is, however, uncertain.

A large number of coins of this king are known from Fatehpur and Kaushambi.

The fifth ruler of the dynasty is Vaishravana, known from a Kaushambi inscription^[17] dated year 107 (185 A.D.) and two undated inscriptions from Bandhogarh^[18] and from his coins.^[19] From the inscriptions, we learn that he was the son of Bhadramagha. Another inscription from Kaushambi, now in the Allahabad Museum, refers to him. He is also known from a number of copper coins, mostly from the Allahabad and Fatehpur districts.^[20]

The sixth ruler Bhimavarma probably a son or the fifth ruler, is known from two dated inscriptions from Kaushambi^[21] of the years 130^[22] (208 A,D.) and 139^[23] (217 A.D.) and from coins.^[24] The number of his coins is quite small.

The seventh king Shatanagha is known from coins^[25] only and so also the eight ruler, Vijayamagha.^[26]

Jayamagha, another king of the dynasty, also issued coins.^[27] Allan refers to certain coins with the legend 'Jayama'.^[28] These coins may be attributed to Jayamagha or Vijayamagha.

Prof. Bajpai has recently published a coin of Jayamagha, which was acquired by him from Kaushambi. The obverse of the coin shows the legend 'Jayama' and on the reverse is a standing bull. On this coin before the letter ja there are no traces of any other letters; hence there does not seem any possibility of associating this coin with Vijayanagha or any other ruler. On the coins of Jayamagha only a ladder is seen under the king's name (Jayama:). Other symbols on the obverse are worn out. On the present coing the legend, the two symbols and the bull are fairly well preserved.^[29]

Allan has published a coin^[30], which Prof. Bajpai has attributed to Puramagha, who probably belonged to the main Magha line. The legend (p) uramagha can be read on this coin. Altekar also has read the name of Puranagha. On some coins published by him, but the photographs of these coins do not give a clear reading.

Prof. Altekar at tributed another copper coin^[31] to Shatyabhadra, whom he conjectured to be a Magha king. Prof. Bajpai has recently examined the coin and found that it bears the name of Shivagupta, who according to Prof. Bajpai was a ruler of Malwa. The coin-type is quite different from the Magha cojnage.

The list of the above mentioned kings cannot be said to be exhaustive. Coins of the Magha type are known bearing such legends as Nevasa^[32] or Nevasa. Dhanadeva's coins^[33] also bear similar traits. Dhanadeva cannot be placed between the period 1st century B.C. and 1st century A.D., as Allan thought. Prof. Bajpai is inclined to place him in the 3rd century A.D.-On the basis of Palaeography, Like Bhimasena, Dhanadeva also issued some coins bearing the title 'Raja'.

Certain other kings, Vasisthiputra Siri Vicitasena, Vasisthiputra Shivaghosa and king Svamidatta are also known from inscriptions.^[34] It is difficult to say if these or the other kings referred to above, belonged to the main Magha dynasty. Some other kings named Nava, Nayika and Dhanadeva have also issued their coins, which, has a similarly with the coins of Maghas. On this basis we can conclude that they must have some relationship with the Magha dynasty.

This Magha dynasty of Kaushambi issued a good amount of coinage. Certain features on these coins are noteworthy. On the basis of their coins, so far discovered from different and distant areas, may say that most of these are made up of copper. We find certain coins of Maghase of an alloy of Silver and copper. Only few coins of silver are known to us. These coins are usually circular in shape. We find certain coins of Maghas which are poorly executed. Bhimasena, whose coins are akin to the late Mitra Coins of Kaushambi can be regarded as not for removed from the Milias it's issues are fairly executed from the view point of the art of coinage. Arched hill, tree in railing, ladder, four-spoked wheel and bull usually occur on the coinage of the Magha dynasty.^[35] It is noteworthy that bull usually occurs on its reverse side of the coin.

We can not frame the genealogy of the rulers of Magha dynasty the absence of reliable evidence. The reason is obvious. We do not find a cleanly succession after Bhimavarma and that is why it leads us in obscurity. The last known date of Bhimavarma is the year 217-18 A.D. On the basis of some coins and epigraphs of the Vatsa regions we know that this part of the country may have remained independent till c. 335

A.D. when Samudragupta annexed it. We cannot say with much certainty that Mahndra of South Kosala, who was defeated by Samudragupta had any relationship with these Maghas.

It is believed that the region of Kaushambi was included in the Kushana empire and the Early rulers of the Magha dynasty were the feudatories of the Kusanas. Altekar writes to say During the greater part of the above period (129 170 A.D.) the Kushana empire was at the zenith of the power, extending up to Banaras, and it is, therefore possible that Kaushambi, which lay on the high road to that city, could have been under the sway of his house (of Maghas) at that time.^[36]

A sealing of the Kushana king Kaniska. I was discovered at Kaushambi by Prof. G.R. Sharma Along with this sealing the Kaushambi expedition has also revealed two inscriptions of this ruler. Both of these inscriptions commemorate the installation of images of Bodhisattva by the nung Buddhamitr, whose Kosam inscription of the year 2 is now housed in the Allahabad Museum and who is also mentioned as the joint donor, with her teacher, friar Bala, in the Sarnath Buddhist image inscription of the year 3.^[37]

The occurrence of inscriptions dated in the reign of Kaniska at Sarnath, Shravasti and Kaushambi is generally taken as indicative of his sovereignty over these regions. According to J.S. Negi. As however, the images on which the inscriptions are engraved were made of the Karri (Agra) red sand stone and represent the art of Mathura, Vogel was sceptical about the extension of Kaniskas rule over the eastern part of

U.P. being conclusively proved by them".^[38] P.L. Gupta has also examined this question and in his opinion the inscriptions ''Only show that the donars belonged to the territory of Kaniska and not that the territory where they were set up was under Kaniska''.

He finds no basis in the epigraphic and numismatic data for presuming the extension of Kaniska's hegemony eastward beyond Kanyakubja.^[39]

''In the opinion of Prof. K.D. Bajpai''^[40] we have not been able to get any other inscriptions either from Kaushambi or from Benaras or from the regions around these cities indicating Kushana suzerainty aver Vatsa janapada. The Kushana coins discovered in this region cannot be taken to imply the Kushana rule over these eastern parts. The coins of Kushanas which were minted in large numbers, are known to us from many parts of the Northern and Central India. But this does not prove their rule on all these parts."

We know through a number of inscriptional records that Mathura was a stronghold of the Kushana power. Kushana rulers in succession by ruled over this area. This is supported by the occurrence of numerous coins and inscriptions of the imperial Kushanas at Mathura and the region around. This can not be said about Kaushambi.

Even if we assume that Kaniska I, in the early years of his career, conquered Kaushambi and Benaras his occupation of that region may have been of a very transitory nature. The Bodhisattva and Buddha images bearing the names of the Kushana kings have been discovered not only at Kaushambi but also at Shravasti, Ahicchatra, sanchi, etc. The signifi-cance of these images is mainly religious. The people of Kaushambi may/not have taken much notice of the name of Kanishka who was well known as a patron of Buddhism.

When we look at the other side, we notice that Kaushambi was enjoying an independent status during the early centuries of the Christian era. Coins of about twenty five Mitra and other rulers and of the Maghas are known in large numbers from Kaushambi and the adjoining region. We have also before us the inscriptions of several Kaushambi rulers like AgaRaja, Brhaspatimitra, Ashvaghosa, Jyesthamitra, Varunamatra, Shivamitra, etc. The coins and inscriptions tend to indicate that the Vedic religion was more popular in the Vatsa region than Buddhism.^[41]

The inscriptions of the Magha kings are also known from Ginja, Bhita and Bandhogarh. In none of these inscriptions do we find any reference to the Kushana kings. Had the Maghas been feu-datories of the Kushanas, the latter would not have allowed the Maghas to issue their independent coinage.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

For different views regarding the Era, see New History of Indian people, Vol. VI, p. 41, no. 2

[2]:

The Maghas of South Kosala ', Ganganathja Research Institute Journal Vol. I,(1944), pp. 149 ff.

[3]:

See J.N.S.I., Vol. IV, pp. 10 ff, Vol. VIII,pp.8 ff, Vol. XI, pp. 12 ff and Vol. XII, p. 83.

[4]:

Ep. Ind. Vol. XXXI, pp., 167 ff (N.P. Chakravarti).

[5]:

Luders, No. 906, Cunningham, A.S.R., Vol. XXI,p. 119.

[6]:

A,S,R., 1911-12, p. 51. A Ghosh distinguishes Bh Imasena of the seal from Bh:imasena of the Inscription because of the difference in titles' Ind. cul; Vol. III, p. 179 t; But fpr contrary view of Dr. Motichandra, J.N.S.I. Vol. II, pp 99; A.S. Altekar N.H.I.P., Vol.VI, p. 41; and D.C. Sarkar (A.I.W.), p. 176 all of whom have taken both Rajan Bhimasena and Maharaja Bhimasena identical.

[7]:

J.N.S.I., Vol. VIII, p. 15, PI, LB.I.

[8]:

J.N,S,I., Vol. VIII,p. 15-16, pl. I.

[9]:

K.D. Bajpai, I.N.C. Vol. III, P1. I, pp. 12; (The Maghas of Kaushambi and South Kosala.'

[10]:

Cunningham(A.S.R, IX,p. 26,pl. V, 16-17) wrongly ascribes certain silver coins of the Gupta Peacock-type to Bhimasena

[11]:

Ep. Ind., Vol. XXXI, pp. 166 ff; Nos. II-VI, VIII-X (year 86), No. XVII(year 87), and No. VII (year 88)

[12]:

A.S,R., 1911-12 Prof. K.D. Bajpai, I.N.C. Vol. III, Pt. I, 1962 pp. 14.

[13]:

E, I, XXIII, p. 247

[14]:

Indian Archaeology-A Review, 1955-56, p. 20.

[15]:

E.I., XVIII, p. 159.

[16]:

A.S.R., 1911-12, p. 51; nos.26 and 28 Marshall wrongly reads-meghasya in stead of -maghasya.

[17]:

E.I. XXIV, p. 146.

[18]:

Ibid. Vol. XXXI, pp. 185-76 Nos. XVIII. XIX.

[19]:

B.M.C., (A.L.) P. 157, No. S 62-63; J.N.S, I., Vol. II, pp. 106-08, pl. IX, 6-8.

[20]:

Motichandra, J.N.S.I., II, pp. 95 ff, Prof. Altekar thinks that during the reign of Vaisravana the Magha Kingdom was extended northwards at least upto Fatehpur district and that the Maghas now became eastern neighbours of the Nagas of Padmavati.(New History of India people, p. 42).

[21]:

Indian culture I, p. 177 ff.

[22]:

Indian Culture, Vol. III, pp. 177 ff.

[23]:

Fleet, C.I.I., Vol. III, p. 266.

[24]:

J. N.S.I., Vol. II, op. 108, pl. IX, 9.

[25]:

J. N.I., IV, pl. I, II.

[26]:

Ibid. IV, pl. I, 12-13.

[27]:

Ibid, XI, p. 12, pl. III, 4.

[28]:

Allan, Loc. cit., p. 157-58. These coins have not been illustrated.

[29]:

J.N.S.I., XI, 12, pl. III, 4, I.N.C., III, pt. I, 1902, pp. 16

[30]:

Allan, loc-cit, pl. XXI, 14

[31]:

J.N.S.I., XI, 12, pl. III, 4.

[32]:

Allan, Icot cit, pp. 1.54-55, pl.XXI, nos. 5-8.

[33]:

Ibid, p. 1.53 pl. XX, 12; Cunningham, Coins of ancient India, pp. 73-74, pl. v no. 18. This Dhanadeva is different from his name-saka of Ayodhya

[34]:

The first among these is known from a fragmentary inscription from Bandhogarh, the second from the Baghora inscription and the third from Silahra inscription (E.I., XXII, pp. 30 ff); See I.N.C., Vol. III, p. 17.

[35]:

I.N.C., Vol. III, pl. I pp. 17.

[36]:

A new history of the Indian people, p. 39.

[37]:

Ep. Ind. VII, p. 176.

[38]:

Some Ideological Studies by J.S. Negi, pp. 61; Ep. Ind. VIII, pp. 173 ff.

[39]:

I.H.9, 1953, pp. 205 ff.

[40]:

I.N.C., Vol. III, pp. 19.

[41]:

K.D. Bajpai I.N.C. Vol. III, p. 20; 'The Maghas of Kaushambi and South Kosala.'