1835.] Continuation 0/ notes on Hindu Coins. 677 



sumptive evidence either of the Indo-Scythic descent of the reigning 

 dynasty, — an hypothesis borne out by the traditions of many of the 

 Rajput states, — or of a mere imitation of the coin of a neighbouring 

 nation, in consequence of a j^overty of native invention. 



Before we proceed to canvas the epoch and country of this our third 

 division of Hindu coins, which are matters entirely open at present, 

 except so far that thev have been called Chohun by Colonel Tod, and 

 Rajput by Stacy, it will be convenient to take a view of all the speci- 

 mens that have been collected. 



The whole series may be conveniently classed under three heads ; 

 namely, 1st, such as have genuine Hindu names and the oldest form 

 of character; for the alphabet evidently undergoes modification as we 

 advance : — 2ndly, those with Nagari characters only, but expressive 

 of Muhammedan names, either alone or conjointly with those of 

 Hindu princes ; and 3rdly, those retaining the equestrian device of 

 the obverse, with also the name of the raja, but having the reverse 

 occupied by a pure Arabic inscription. 



I may premise that the average weight of the whole series of silver 

 coins a little exceeds 50 grains, and that therefore they may be re- 

 garded as tankas of 3 massas, as was remarked of the oldest group and 

 of the Vardhas. 



Figs. 1, 2. These have been placed at the top of the list, because 

 the relief in them is not confined to the mere outline. The device 

 has already been described. There are letters on both sides of 

 all the series, leaving us somewhat at a loss to know which side 

 contains the raja's name, or whether the longer legend over the bull 

 may not be merely his titles ; the frequent occurrence of the second 

 formula, on coins of various forms, is in favor of this view, but the 

 actual name in the third is against it. On the present coin, the most 

 obvious reading of the longer epigraphe is ^t ^T^PTf?!"^ SriSyalapati 

 deva. Unfortunately the letters on the other side are cut off. 



Figs. 3, 4, 5. The selection here was from Go specimens, the 

 collation of which left no doubt as to the context, unless in regard to 

 the value of the fourth letter. Of the two readings suggested in my 

 first notice of this coin *5ft ^Tfl^ "^^ Sri Sdmagra deva, or ^\ ^TH^fl 

 ^"3" Sri Sdmanta deva, the latter is the most plausible, because Sa- 

 manta is a common Hindu name, a leader, captain, or champion : 

 and although the nta is more like a? gu, in the best specimens, there 

 are other cases, such as figs. 19 and 21, where it more nearly re- 

 sembles the Bengali "fl. 



On the reverse, are the letters Vj\ and vf, on either side of the 

 head. Ttiese are ancient forms of *ft and IT bhi and ta. On fig. 4, 

 4 s 



