2019-11-15 Fri

Kosambi (pali) is known as Kaushambi (Sanskrit), it was one of the important city during the ancient period in India. During the ancient period Kosambi was the capital of Vasta Kingdom; one of the 16 Mahajanapadas. Today Kosambi is a district situated in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Kosambi remains one of the greatest cities in India from the late Vedic period until the end of the Mauryan Empire with occupation continuing until the Gupta Empire. After the end of the reign of the Mauryas and the retreat of the Sungas from the Gangetic plans, Kausambi established itself as a strong independent civic center. Let’s have a look at one of the coins of Kaushambi.

This copper coin weighs around 1.2g was issued by King Agnimitra from Kosambi. Agnimitra was the second king of the Shunga dynasty of northern India. He succeeded his father, Pushyamitra Shunga, in 149 BCE. The obverse of this coin depicts a humped bull facing towards the left in front of indradhvaja. The reverse of this coin depicts Tree-in-railing with nandipada towards its left with Brahmi legend “Agimita(sa)” below.

Image Courtesy: Oswal Antiques