2016-09-22 Thu

Samudragupta (350-375 AD) can be considered as the real founder of the Gupta Dynasty. Vincent Smith praises Samudragupta as “a man of exceptional personal capacity and unusual varied gifts. He stands forth as a real man, a scholar, a poet, a musician and a warrior.”

His poetical compositions earned him the title of “king of poets” (Kaviraj). His love for music is testified by a Gold Dinar coin where on the obverse side he is shown seated towards left wearing a dhoti and a cap , playing seven string lute; Brahmi legend around "Mahara (jadhiraja - sri - Samudra) guptah". The reverse of the coin bears seated goddess to left, holding cornucopia in one hand and a noose in the other, the royal standard (Rajadanda) to the right and Brahmi legend Samudraguptah in right field. This extremely rare coin was sold in Ahmadabad for INR 6,00,000.

The excellent modeling of the king’s figure, the skilful delineation of the features and the careful attention to details makes us wonder about the coin maker!