2020-03-11 Wed

The origin of Rashtrakuta is traced to 600 CE, they established their stronghold in Deccan in the later period and simultaneously extended their power till Kannauj, making them the part of the famous tripartite struggle. The first mention of Rashtrakuta name is found from the Ashoka’s edict which mentions the Prakrit name ‘Rathika’ or in Sanskrit ‘Rashtrika’. In copperplate, Rashtrakutas acknowledge them-self as ‘Ratta’ race.

The crest of this royal house is ‘Garuda’ the vahana of Lord Vishnu. Garuda is depicted in anthropomorphic form seated on a lotus in Padmasana. The above-shown illustrated coin is an anonymous issue attributed to the Rashtrakuta coinage, it weighs around 0.46g. An elephant is depicted in the centre, walking towards the right and it is mounted by a human figure (king/Mahout). A wheel or chakra is depicted at left with a dot in the centre within the dotted border.

The reverse of this coin depicts a seated Garuda in the centre seated in the padmasana posture. The figure's hair is tied high-up in a bun and halo is depicted with long ears with an undeciphered Brahmi legend slightly trace around it.