Area: | India -Western Satraps |
Ruler: | Viradaman |
Reigned: | 234-239 A.D. |
Denomination: | AR Drachm |
Obverse: | Bust right. |
Reverse: | Brahamic script around "3 peaks". |
Reference: | Mitchiner IX Typ 1292 |
Weight: | 2.1 gms |
Diameter: | 13.9 mm |
Comment: | Also known as Shakas (originally Scythians?) Script on reverse goes something like: "King, great-satrap, master (name of father),King, great-satrap, master, Viradaman" |
WESTERN SATRAPS
In the north west of India, there ruled two dynasties of Satrapas (Sakas or Scythians) with considerable independence under Pahlava (Parthian) suzerains. These are commonly referred to as Western Satraps due to their reign in the western region of India and Malwa. The shorter lived of the two dynasties was the family Kshaharata of which only the rulers Abhiraka, Bhumaka and Nahapana are known, and only through their coinage. Nahapan was probably the last ruler of the Kshaharata dynasty. His territory included Gujarat to Ujjain and Nasik. But soon, he lost his territory to Satavahanas due to the conflict with the kingdoms of the northern Deccan and the Ganges valley. |