J890.] 
pnncJi-marJeed coins of Hindustan, ^o. 
215 
Considering how commonly tho crescent moon is associated with 
the ‘stupa ’ on these coins, it does seem most strange that in his article 
in the Hum. Orient. Mr. Thomas should thus express himself. “ Under 
Class A (heavenly bodies) in the engraving seem most the single re- 
presentation of the Sun ; no other planet or denizen of an Eastern 
sky is reflected in early Indian mint-symbolization.” Neither is the 
difficulty rendered less remarkable by any alternative explanation of the 
crescent being given by Thomas, either when met with above the ‘ stupa ’ 
or in combination with the sun in symbol No. 3, (See fig, 128). 
26. ‘ Stupa ’ with a tree growing out of the top. Fig. 52. 
In this symbol a tree is represented as growing out from the centre 
of a stupa and replacing its terminal chamber. Whether any particular 
tree is intended is not easy to say, but tho symbol represents what must 
in India have often been noticed with regard to these structures, viz , 
the growth from out of them of a large tree, often to their considerable 
injury, and this idea is perhaps intended to be conveyed by the topmost 
chamber being missing. The tree, however, seems to resemble more near- 
ly the troublesome but vivacious ‘ cactus,’ rather than any specimen of 
the more lordly ‘ficus.’ 
27. Central sphere supporting three ‘ Chatras’ ‘umbrellas’ or 
BROAD-ARROWS.’ Fig. 91. 
This symbol would appear to be Buddhist, but tinged with solar or 
Nature-worship symbolism. It consists of three ‘ chatras ’ or umbrellas 
radiating from a central boss or sphere. Thomas calls these symbols 
collectively “ mystic circles ” which does not explain much. The 
‘ chatra ’ is of course a royal emblem, and is at the present day seen over 
every Pagoda in Burma. In some coins of a later date than the 
present it is also represented on the top of the stupa, as in those of the 
Kunandas. It is hardly distinguishable from the ‘ broad-arrow ’ (so 
called) .which is in use in England to mark articles the property of 
Government, and which must rather be considered as related to the 
‘ chatra ’ or royal Buddhist emblem, than to tho classic weapon of Robin 
Hood. 
This symbol has many variants, the simplest or initial form being 
the present No. 27 which is rather rare. The same type of symbol also 
occurs in the lowest stratum at Troy 23 feet below Ihs surface on terra- 
cotta whorls mixed with stone implements. In this archaic form of the 
symbol tho apex of the ‘ chatra ’ is directed inwards instead of outwards, 
and the solar nature of tho inner disk on which the ‘ chatras ’ rest (as 
it were topsy-turvy) is placed beyond doubt by the numerous radiating 
lines surrounding it. (Schliemau’s Troy, page 80.) 
