1855.] On the Epoch of the Gupta Dynasty. 387 



that should have succeeded are replaced by two letters serving to 

 express the word TT«T." Had I not shewn, in entering into all 

 this detail, that I had fairly examined the original piece, there might 

 have been more excuse for Major Cunningham's venturing to correct 

 me on the strength of a mere engraving; which, however well 

 executed — as it certainly is — in its main devices, must necessarily 

 have been expected to prove somewhat imperfect in the expression 

 of the fragmentary letters of a legend, the alphabet of which was 

 unknown to the artist. 



I need scarcely advert to the attribution claimed for the gold coin 

 No. 22, pi. xviii. Ariana Antiqua. 



As I do not, at this moment, propose to do more than notice the 

 Gupta portion of the question as it stands between myself and 

 Major Cunningham, I shall reserve, for a future opportunity, my 

 reply to his proposed rectification of the earlier or Sah epoch ; but, 

 there are two points noticed in the Bhilsa Topes as apropos to that 

 period which may properly be disposed of in this place. 



The Gupta inscription on the Allahabad column, in enumerating 

 the conquered and tributary states of Samudra Gupta makes mention 

 of "precious metals brought as tribute by the heaven-descended 

 monarch, the Shdhdn Shdhi, the Scythians, the Huns, <fcc."* Upon 

 this Major Cunningham proceeds to argue,t that if the Guptas are 

 to date, as Al Biriini would make them, that this reference of Samu- 

 dra Gupta must be taken to allude to the " Sassanians !" I think 

 the author would have done well to have followed Prinsep in this 

 matter, and to have confined himself to the inference that in this " we 

 have a limit to the modernicity of our inscription," as suggested by 

 that most excellent archaeologist, but I am prepared to contend, that 

 the title of Shahan Shah is not peculiar to the Sassanians, and that if 



* J. A. S. B. VI. 979. 



t Major Cunningham's words are — " Samudra Gupta according to the Allahabad 

 and Bbitari inscriptions was the fourth prince of the Gupta dynasty ; and if we 

 allow twenty years to each reign, Samudra will date from 60 to 80 of the Gupta 

 era, or from 138 to 158 A. D., but in the Allahabad pillar inscription Samudra 

 mentions the Shdhdn Shah (that is one of the Sessanian kings of Persia) as his 

 contemporary, whose dynasty did not attain the throne until A. D. 223," * * 

 page 147. 



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