2020-01-03 Fri

Kausambi was one of the important cities during the ancient period in India. During the ancient period Kausambi was the capital of Vatsa Kingdom; one of the 16 Mahajanapadas. The Vatsa Janapada is named after a Kasi king; The Indian epic like Ramayana and Mahabharata have attributed to the founding of its capital Kausambi, to the Chedi Prince. Today Kausambi is a district situated in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Kausambi continued to remain as one of the important cities of India from the Vedic period until the end of the Mauryan Empire with occupation continuing until the Gupta Empire.

This copper alloy coin of Jethamita (Jyeshthamitra) which weighs around 5.3g was issued from Kausambi. The obverse of this coin depicts standing female deity with one hand raised and another hand on her waist. The reverse side of the coin depicts standing female deity with one hand raised and another hand on her waist with tree-in railing to her right side and the arched hill above.

Image Courtesy: Classical Numismatic Gallery