2020-01-02 Thu

After the death of emperor Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire was divided into two parts eastern and western Mauryan.

The eastern Mauryan was ruled by Dasaratha; King Dasaratha is also known from the caves in the Nagarjuni hills which he dedicated to Ajivikas. After coming to the power Dasaratha made his capital at Pataliputra. According to one of the inscriptions, it is said that Dasaratha was the grandson of Ashoka and he was also a patron of Jainism. It is said that Dasaratha converted himself to Jainism by Suhastin after which he gave the religion both his active support as a ruler and encouragement in other ways.

The western Mauryan part was ruled by Kunala; son of Ashoka and then by Samprati. Later it was threatened by the Bactrian Greeks in the north-west and by the Satvahanas and others in the Deccan. The western part including the north-western province, Gandhara and Kashmir was governed by Kunala.

This square cast copper karshapana was issued from the Vidarbha region. The weight of this coin is around 8.7g. The obverse of this coin depicts a three-arched hill in the center within the circle. The reverse of this coin depicts traces of other symbols, probably struck by the ministers of Ashoka in the Vidarbha area of Pavani and Bhandara.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction