1855.] On the Coins of the Gupta Dynasty. 495 



a Eoman Eagle). The King's left hand rests upon a Javelin.* 

 Legends 1. Sri ? (a) parajita davaja [Prinsep IV. 635]. 

 2. Vijayajatara Samara satamataga (ja). [Prinsep V. 646] 



Under the arm 



Beverse. Parvati seated on a raised throne, with Cornucopia and 

 regal fillet. 



Legend — Xf^^f?T: — ' The powerful.' 



The first of these obverse legends was derived by Prinsep from 

 Coin 16 above cited — the second transcript was obtained from No. 

 14, aided by other specimens. Professor Wilson [A. A. 424,] dis- 

 trusts these readings, and apparently with good reason. The follow- 

 ing gives the most exact detail of the isolated letters I have been 

 able to compile from the specimens I have examined — 



it is to be remarked however, that the 1st and 3rd of the three it's, 

 at times show much more of the similitude of the ordinary letter 

 «f, but it will be remembered, that this is the correct type of the <rT 

 in certain Western Alphabets. t Professor Wilson had suggested, 

 (A. A. 424) doubtfully, the reading Samara sata vataga for fig. 9, 

 but a coin of Col. Stacy's gives the t quite distinctly, where the 

 Professor would read g. 



is laid, dwindles down to a very unprincely donation under Jas. Prinsep's note of 

 interrogation after the (thousands ?) [sic in orig.], the rejection of which reduces 

 the total to «£ J 25 ! 



All the rest of the reasoning to this end depends upon Chandra Gupta's date, 

 which Major Cunningham has certainly not yet succeeded in proving to rule from 

 400 A. D. to 430 ; but not only is this epochal determination based on the merest 

 assumption, but up to this moment, there is nothing whatever to show, that the 

 Chandra Gupta of the Sanchi and Udayagiri Inscriptions may not be the Sover- 

 eign first of that name in the Gupta family. The coins, we have some data for 

 attributing to the several Chandra Guptas, but these inscriptions give us no aid 

 towards any such identification ; not that I wish to contest the assignment, but it 

 is fit that it should be known to be a clearly open question, and that all deductions 

 based on the subordinate information, must be received with caution. 



* The Javelin, the battle-axe and the arrow are enumerated among the weapons 

 Samudra Gupta was in the habit of using as detailed in the Allahabad Inscription. 

 See J. A. S. B. VI. 979. 



f Dr. Stevenson, Bombay Journal (July 1853) pi. 17. Kistna, Canara, &c. 

 J. A. S. B. VI. PI. XIII. 



