The Chahamanas - Vakhudeva Vasudeva's Imitations ND
| Silver (808 to 666 as per samples observed, variation in silver purity) | 3.66 g | 27.32 mm |
| Issuer | Chauhan Dynasty (Indian Northern Dynasties) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 700-800 |
| Value | 1 Drachm |
| Currency | Drachm (543-1390) |
| Composition | Silver (808 to 666 as per samples observed, variation in silver purity) |
| Weight | 3.66 g |
| Diameter | 27.32 mm |
| Thickness | 1.1 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#406015 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
A Sassanian style Fire Altar with attendants on both sides
Edge
Plain
Comment
Track 2 of Indo-Sassanian Coinage - Eastern Indo-Sassanian coinage (Eastern Indo-Sassanian track begins from imitations of the coins of Chahamana ruler Vasudeva.)
The Chahamanas - Vasudeva's (Vakhudeva) Imitations - tentative period 7th to 8th Century CE
Sassanian coinage was produced within the area of the Iranian Sassanian Empire (224–651). It had a significant influence on coinage of other polities.
Barha Tegin (CE 665-680) first ruler of the Turk Shahis, a petty chieften in the northwest region of India, proclaimed himself King of Kabul after the decline of the Hepthalites. His coins bear the title "King of Khorasn" & carry the emblem of the 'Sun God'?, which in turn is
adapted from coins of Sassanian ruler Khusro II (CE 591-628).
Vakhudeva or Vasudeva (6th Century CE) has been traced to the ruling dynasty of Zabulistan (post separation of Kabul & Zabul), thus explaining similarities in his coins to that of Khusro II.
From studies conducted on his coins, some of which mention Zabulistan (Ghazni) & some others mention Multan, it can be surmised that his rule extended upto western borderlands of Rajasthan. Thus, influence of his coins on a series of coins of Rajasthan seems likely.
It is derived from ancient texts that the first ruler of the Chahamanas (Chauhans of Shakambhari) was Vasudeva.
“The above information is based on studies by various historians & extracted from Imitations in Continuity - KK Maheshwari”
Vasudeva's Coin - Fig 75 Enlarged section of headgear showing “sa” within wings - Fig 76
Fig 77: Vasudeva’s imitation from Afghanistan
Few different types have been noted in the coins found so far –
Type 1 - Coins with palin field
Type 2 - Coins with “va” in front of the bust
Type 3 - Coins with “Ja” in front of the bust
Type 4 - Coins with Trident in front of the bust
Trident varieties -
Type 5 - Coins with floral pattern in front of the bust
Floral varieties
few coins imitating the legend visible in Vasudeva's coins have been noted; presumably these would be the earliest imitations
this variety has not been published in the mentioned Book
image credits -
1. Imitations in Continuity - K.K. Maheshwari
2. Amit Kher Collection
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was made of silver with a varying purity level, ranging from 808 to 666 as observed in samples. This suggests that the coin's minting process may have involved the use of different sources of silver, resulting in a diverse range of purity levels.
