2020-12-07 Mon

The Indo-Scythians were named as ‘Shaka’ in India. We can find numerous references of ‘Shaka’ in the Indian text like ‘Mahabharata’, ‘Ramayana’, ‘Puranas’, ‘Manusmriti’ etc. The Indo-Scythians were the branch of Indo-Iranian Sakas that had ruled the part of central Asia. They were a group of Iranian nomadic pastoral tribes. The first Saka king in India; is referred to as Maues or Moga, who established Saka power in Gandhara. He extended his supremacy over north-western India.

This silver tetradrachm that weighs around 8.97g was issued by Indo-Scythians king Azes I during his rule from the mint Hazara. The obverse of this coin depicts ‘king mounted on a horse to right holding a spear’. The reverse of this coin depicts ‘Pallas standing to the left, brandishing thunderbolt and holding a raised shield’.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction