Aryan Books

IMPERIAL PUNCH-MARKED COINS OF ANCIENT INDIA: A Case Study of Sarai Dangri Hoard, Varanasi

By :- Savita Sharma

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Type: English

Pages: xiv+238

ISBN-13: 978-81-7305-546-1

Place: New Delhi

Edition: 1st

Publisher: ARYAN BOOKS INTERNATIONAL

Size: 22cm x 28cm

Product Year: 2016

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India?s indigenous coinage is rich and varied, distinguished by regional, cultural and linguistic features and representing imperial and political associations. The class of coins that finds frequent mention in ancient Indian epigraphs and literary sources is the karsapana. Karsapana, also known as Purana or Dharana, are the punch-marked coins which were in circulation throughout ancient India. Many hoards of silver punch-marked coins have been located in sites all over the country. Its widespread availability suggests that it was a standard medium of exchange from about the 6th century bce. Every new discovery of a treasure-trove has something new to add to the mine of knowledge extensively compiled by scholars. An earthen pot containing 333 ancient silver punch-marked coins was found in July 1997, from Sarai Dangri village, Varanasi while digging the foundation of a primary school building. These coins were handed over to Bharat Kala Bhavan, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in 1998 by the District Magistrate of Varanasi. The study of these coins forms the subject matter of this volume. Coins in this hoard, classified as Imperial Karsapana, are datable to circa 4th century to 2nd century bce, comprising seventy-six varieties. The volume is divided into four parts: Part I commences with an explanatory introduction outlining the importance of this hoard. This also serves as a comprehensive backdrop of the present study; Part II covers classification and cataloguing. Here an attempt has been made to refer to most of the published material and views, with drawings and illustrations of obverse and reverse of each variety in tabulated form; Part III incorporates the observations on the present study and includes tables of the symbols in detail, as well as a brief description on extra-marks and half-coins; Part IV comprises appendices on weights and measures, note on fabrication, technique and chemical analysis based on some coins of the hoard, an EDS Report, dispersal of coins, list of hoards and a bibliography. The volume should be of immense help to students and scholars of numismatics. They will gain a deeper insight and understanding of Indian numismatics in general and about this remarkable series of silver punch-marked coins in particular.

Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations Part I INTRODUCTION 1. Backdrop 2. Terminology 3. Historical Background 4. Chronology 5. Metallurgy Part II CATALOGUE 6. Find-Spot of the Hoard 7. About the Hoard 8. Classification of Coins A. Key to Classification B. Figures C. Plates Part III DISCUSSION 9. Observations 10. Restruck/Double Obverse Coins 11. Half-Coin 12. Extra Sixth-Mark 13. Numismatic Findings 14. Symbols 15. Dispersal of Coins Part IV APPENDICES I. Weights and Measures II. A Note on the Chemical Analysis and Fabrication Technique of Some Coins Found in the Hoard III. SEM-EDS Analysis List of Hoards Bibliography Index

Dr. Savita Sharma is well known for her wide and indepth studies in the field of Indian numismatics. An alumna of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where Late Prof. A.S. Altekar founded the Numismatic Society of India, laying the foundation of serious researches in the area of historical sources, the author did her Ph.D. in 1985. Besides several research papers published in national and international journals of repute, Dr. Savita Sharma also has a number of books to her credit. Her important published works inculde Early Indian Symbols: Numismatic Evidence (1990), and Gold Coins of Imperial Kushans and Their Successors in Bharat Kala Bhawan (1994). She also co-edited (with D.W. Macdowall and Sanjay Garg) Dr. Parmeswari Lal Gupta?s festschrift entitled Indian Numismatics: History, Art and Culture (1992). Dr. Sharma retired from Bharat Kala Bhawan, BHU, Varanasi where she was in-charge of its huge coin collection. She is a life member/fellow of several academic societies including Numismatic Society of India.

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