2020-10-31 Sat

Azilises was the king of Indo-Scythian, he belongs to the Azes dynasty. He ruled the region of Indus valley at the beginning of the Christian era. The Indo-Scythian was the group of Iranian people of Saka and Scythian origin who migrated southward into western and northern South Asia from the middle of the 2nd century BC to the 4th century AD.

King Azilises issued joint coins that have the name of Azes, where the name of Azes is presented as a king on the obverse ‘??S?L?OS ??S?L?O? ??G?L?? ???L?Z?U’ and Azilises is introduced as a king on the obverse in Kharoshti ‘Maharajasa rajarajasa mahatasa Ayilisasa’, ‘The great king, the king of kings, the great Azilises’.

This copper drachma that weighs around 3.65g was issued by king Azilises during this rule in Indo-Scythians. The obverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Diademed king on horseback to right with Greek legend’. The reverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Heracles seated to left on a rock, holding club on his right knee, with Kharoshthi legend’.

Image Courtesy: Oswal Antiques