Ashmaka or Assaka was one of the regions of ancient India; it was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas in the 6th Century BC. We find the reference of Ashmaka Jahanapa in the Buddhist text like Anguttara Nikaya and Puranas. In Vayu Purana, there is a mention of Ashmaka as scions of the Ikshvaku family. In Mahabharata, there is a mention of royal sage Ashmaka, who found the city of Podana. The word Ashmaka is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘Ashma’ which means stone or gem. Ashmaka is one of the regions of ancient India and also finds a mention in Panini’s Ashtadhyayi.

This silver punch-marked coin that weighs around 1.72g was issued from Ashmaka Janapada. The obverse of this coin depicts four punches they are elephant facing towards lefts, a tree and two ornate Treskelis.

Image Courtesy: Classical Numismatic Gallery