118 Philological Secretary— (7o?(^ Gupta coins. [Aug. 



ture, figure * or ' dramatic composition ; ' and the compound rupa-kritz 

 may mean either ' who is clever in the making of figures ' or ' who 

 is clever in the making of dramas or dramatic representations.' I prefer 

 taking the word in the latter sense, because it is not quite uncom- 

 mon to hear of kings in ancient India being dramatic authors. The 

 well-known drama, called the Mrichchhakatika, is ascribed by tradition 

 to a king S'udraka. Still more to the point is the discovery by Prof. 

 P. Kielhorn, of a drama composed by the Chauhan king Vigrahara- 

 jadova of S'akambhari (see Indian Antiquary, Vol. XX, p. 201), in 

 the middle of the 12th century A. D. This drama was inscribed on 

 a stone slab, which has been found in Ajmir ; and Prof. Kielhorn 

 rightly says with reference to it, that ' actual and undoubted proof 

 is here afforded to us of the fact that powerful Hindu rulers of the 

 past were eager to compete with Kalidasa and Bhavabhuti for poetical 

 fame.' It appears to me, that this coin of Chandra Gupta's shows that 

 this king also laid claim to the honour of dramatic authorship. The 

 reverse is rather poorly preserved ; the legend is 'il" f^^^lT sri Vikkrama 

 with double kic. 



" Another of the Chandra Gupta coins is of the Lio7i Trampler type. 

 This is also a rare type ; there are four varieties, of which the second 

 and third varieties are known only by one specimen each ; the first and 

 fourth are not quite so rare. The present specimen belongs to the fourth 

 variety. It is a poor specimen, the legends being almost entirely want- 

 ing on both sides. 



The third coin of Chandra Gupta is of the Horseman to Bight 

 type. Its reverse is good, but the legend on the obverse is nearly gone ; 

 only parama-hhaga ndra-guptah being preserved; the legend com- 

 mences in front of the king's head, running all round the rim and 

 terminating behind his head. 



The fourth coin of Chandra Gupta belongs to the Horseman to 

 Left type. Of this type there exist two varieties ; one, which is not very 

 rare, has the reverse legend ajita vihrama ; the present coin belongs 

 to this variety. The obverse legend is entirely gone. 



Of the Kumara Gupta coins one belongs to the Archer type and the 

 Variety II, A. It is not an uncommon variety, and the present coin is a 

 rather poor specimen, the legends on both sides being almost entirely 

 gone. 



The three other coins of Kumara Gupta are all of the Horseman 

 to Bight type. Of this type there exist three varieties, of which the 

 first and third are not uncommon, while the second ig very rare. 

 Among the three coins there is one of the second variety, showing on 

 the reverse a goddess sitting on a wicker-stool, stooping forward, with 



